If It's Certified Kosher, there's a Market

By: Kevin A
Submitted: 2009-10-30 16:17:41
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Go Kosher! Apparently, people are doing just that. The Kosher Information Bureau estimates that about 5 million people in the United States purchase Kosher products. And about one-third of all supermarket products are stocked with Kosher-certified commodities. Why is Kosher such a popular trend?

Kosher, meaning “fit” in Hebrew, refers to a diet that is particularly followed by the Jewish community and is in keeping with the laws of kashrut. But surprisingly, the Jewish community is not the primary taker for Kosher products. The Muslims prefer Kosher products, too, because it is in keeping with their “halal” traditions. People who are allergen-sensitive may also prefer Kosher products as they are always free from shellfish and crustacean allergens. Then there are those who simply prefer Kosher against regular food items. Just having a Kosher-certified symbol on the product is perceived by consumers to have higher value in terms of quality.

According to a recent Mintel report three out of five people prefer Kosher as they believe it has better quality, is safer for consumption and better for health. The report found that just 14 percent of the people who buy Kosher do so for religious reasons. Just seeing a Kosher symbol on products is reassuring enough for many consumers, according to Mintel.Kosher-certified products have gained a reputation for having passed stringent Kosher-quality control measures of production and thorough inspection processes. This definitely adds perceived value to Kosher products and has boosted sales, even of items like Kosher vitamins.

Says Packaged Facts, “Certification enhances the desirability of a company’s products to a broader customer base in the US – provided marketers ensure consumers are made aware of the third-party endorsement – as well as expanding export opportunities.”

Kosher has been the most popular food claim for the last five decades. Other popular claims include: organic, vegan, free from additives and preservatives. Manufacturing for this niche category of people is smart marketing.

The demand for Kosher-certified foods has been increasing at a rate of 15 percent a year for the past 25 years. Companies in China and India who have no internal market for Kosher products desire Kosher certifications to sell Kosher products to countries like the United States, Israel and other European countries, especially France.

With the definite rise and predicted rise in Kosher-certified products, Kosher supplement manufacturers are not far behind. Dietary supplements can be non-Kosher because Vitamins A, B, and D, and minerals like calcium and iron are derived from fish, pork, and certain parts of the animal that, under kashrut law, are not to be eaten. Glucosamine sulfate, used in joint health supplements, is derived from shellfish, which is non-Kosher. For this reason, many pure vegetarians prefer to buy Kosher vitamins as well.

Certified-Kosher supplements ensure an instant consumer appeal for a large sector of consumers. Popular Kosher supplements are:

• Kosher Vitamins
• Kosher Supplements for specific health needs
• Kosher Prenatal Vitamins
• Kosher Children’s Vitamins
• Kosher Fish Oil Supplement

If you’d like to start a special line of Kosher supplements, contact a certified Kosher supplement manufacturer. With the current trend and growth rate of certified Kosher product sales, targeting a niche category of people could be one of the best ways to serve your customers as well as boost your brand image and profit lines.

Article source: Expert Articles