Star-K to help industries in UAE get kosher certification
Thousands of Israelis have visited UAE since Abraham Accords was signed
Star-K Kosher Certification, a not-for-profit agency, is one of the most trusted kosher certification organisations in the world. With offices throughout the United States, Brazil, China, Costa Rica, India, Israel, Philippines, Sri Lanka and now in the UAE, Star-K certifies plants in about 100 countries.
The agency is also one of the foremost experts in the field of kosher pharmaceuticals, nutritional supplements, and medications.
Dr Avrom Pollak, who has been the president of Star-K for over 30 years, said: “It is important, especially now, in light of the Israel-UAE peace agreement, to make entities in the food industry aware of the value of kosher-certified products not only for the Jewish community here, but also for anyone looking for healthy and halal-compliant options.”
Since the Abraham Accords were signed between the UAE and Israel in September, the government and local businesses in the UAE have worked to make the country more accessible to Jewish visitors and residents with approvals and preparations for the building of more synagogues in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, among other actions.
Tens of thousands of Israelis have already visited the country since the agreement was signed.
During the Gulfood Innovation Summit on February 23, Star-K Kosher ambassador in Dubai, Amin Kazi said DP World, Jebel Ali Free Zone has signed an MoU with STAR-K Kosher Certification to educate its partners in the food and agricultural commodities sector about kosher certification, aiding them to get certified as kosher.
Elli Kriel, founder, Ellie’s Kosher Kitchen, which is certified by Star-K, said that she has been in the business for the past 2 years on account of a personal requirement to maintain the kosher in UAE.
Rabbi Joel Weinberger, Regional Director, Star — K, spoke about the growing Kosher sector of the UAE food industry. “We look forward to developing here in the UAE and in the greater Gulf areas similar businesses that we have done in India. We are differentiating that kosher is done on many levels,” he said.