Over 150 businesses selling food and drink that is not kosher for Passover displayed fake certificates advertising their products as kosher for the holiday, the Chief Rabbinate reported.
The rabbinate said that some restaurants and cafes that do not carry kosher certificates the rest of the year – and in some cases are entirely non-kosher, selling products such as seafood or pork – presented themselves as "kosher for Passover."
During the week of Passover, the consumption of hametz – leavened products – is barred by Jewish law.
Inspectors from the rabbinate's Kashrut Fraud Division received several tips about the fake certificates. Inspectors conducted a number of spot checks of food stores nationwide and discovered at least 150 that were displaying non-rabbinate-issued "kosher for Passover" certificates.
In response, some of the business owners removed the certificates. Others are liable to face sanctions and fines.
The rabbinate warned consumers who observe Jewish dietary rules to ensure that businesses carry an original rabbinate-issued certificate, and warned that a lack of oversight on businesses could lead to members of the public being misled into consuming hametz, either in the form of packaged foodstuffs or transferred from cooking vessels and utensils that were not properly cleaned for use during Passover.
According to the rabbinate, even if ingredients are kosher for Passover, if the food preparation process is insufficiently supervised, the prepared food could be considered in violation of Jewish law.
