Published: 27 July 2021
Last updated: 4 March 2024
The agency responsible for Ben & Jerry's US Kosher certification, Kof-K Kashrus Organization, has announced it will not revoke the ice cream manufacturers Kosher status, despite growing calls from American Orthodox organisations for Kof-K to do so.
IN A STATEMENT ON MONDAY, the agency's Rabbi Yehuda Rosenbaum said Kof-K had considered revoking the certification for Ben & Jerry's but decided not to pull their certification at this time, but will "use its influence to ensure that this new policy from Ben & Jerry’s will never be implemented."
The full statement reads as follows.
“Although Ben and Jerry’s and its parent company Unilever announced that they will not be leaving Israel, the KOF-K is quite concerned about Ben & Jerry’s decision not to sell to Yehuda and Shomron as of January 1, 2023. Unilever has committed that the company will adhere to their contract. The KOF-K has been in contact with the Israeli Government and the Yesha Council to determine the most effective way to respond. Based on the advice of the Yesha council the KOFK will continue to fulfill its contractual obligations to Ben & Jerry’s while using its influence to make sure that this anti-Israel policy never becomes implemented. The KOF-K has expressed to Unilever and Ben and Jerry’s CEOs the negative repercussions of this policy.
We encourage everyone to advocate on behalf of Israel. Please address your concerns about this policy directly to Unilever and Ben & Jerry’s. This is a highly volatile situation and the KOF-K remains in contact with the Israeli Government and the Yesha Council as the most prudent way to make sure the policy never becomes implemented.”
To read more: https://thejewishlink.com/kof-k-kashrus-organization-releases-statement-on-ben-jerrys-controversy/