This document discusses various certifications and labels that may appear on food products and what they signify. It outlines several kosher certification agencies that verify over 800,000 products in 92 countries. Other labels discussed include Non-GMO, USDA Organic, All Natural, Fair Trade, Fair Food, and Farm Workers, explaining what standards each aims to uphold regarding ingredients, farming practices, workers' wages and conditions, and other social and environmental goals. The document serves as a guide for consumers to understand what various labels on food packaging represent.

1. FOOD JUSTICE DAILY
HOW TO READ A FOOD LABEL
RABBI ELLIOT SALO SCHOENBERG RABBI RACHEL KAHN TROSTER
@RABBIELLIOT

2. ORTHODOX
UNION
 800,000 products
 92 countries
 Chiquita, Coca Cola, H.J. Heinz, Hershey's,
Kraft/Nabisco,
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3. KOF K  Extensive data base of ingredients
 Breyer's, Cadbury Schwepps, ConAgra
Foods, Ghirardelli, Good Humor, Hain
Celestial Group, Lipton, Pepsi,
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4. STAR K
 Established over 50 years ago, originally
served the Baltimore Jewish community
exclusively
 Aunt Gussies, Del Monte, Empire Kosher,
General Mills, Roland Food, Theo Chocolate,
Trader Joe's, Utz, Whole Foods
Copyright The Rabbinical Assembly 2015

5. OK LABS  Organized Kashrut Laboratories -- better
known as "the OK"
 400,000 products
 Athenos, Barkan Winery, Blue Diamond,
Capri Sun,, Domino, Eden Foods, Hunt's, La
Choy, Nantucket Nectars, Ortega, Pam,
Perrier, Post, Swiss Miss, Tropicana, Yoplait
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6.  Working with small businesses
 Specialization in the natural products
industry
 Tierra Farm, Blue Mountain Organics, Tcho
chocolate, Blue Byddha
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7. NON GMO  Tested prior to use in a verified product.
 Action Threshold of 0.9
 Traceability and segregation practices need
to be followed
 Verification is maintained through an annual
audit, along with onsite inspections
Copyright The Rabbinical Assembly 2015

8. USDA Organic
 Organic farms and processors:
 USDA verified
 Preserve natural resources and biodiversity
 Support animal health and welfare
 Provide access to the outdoors so that animals
can exercise their natural behaviors
 Only use approved materials
 Do not use genetically modified ingredients
 Separate organic food from non-organic food
 Receive annual onsite inspections
Copyright The Rabbinical Assembly 2015

9. ALL NATURAL  FDA has not developed a definition for use
of the term natural.
 The agency has not objected to the use of
the term if the food does not contain added
color, artificial flavors, or synthetic
 No third-party certifier exists
 Lack of standards in most jurisdictions means
that the term assures nothing.
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10. FAIR TRADE
AMERICA
 Redefine power structures through people
centered democratic trading alternatives.
 A global movement to alleviate poverty in
farming communities around the world in
ways that are socially and environmentally
sustainable.
 Fair Trade certification assures consumers
that the quality products they purchase
improves lives and protects the environment
 The label of the International Labeling
Organization, FLO, and its US affiliate,
FairTrade America
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11. FAIR TRADE
 Standards strictly prohibit the use of GMOs
and the most toxic agrochemicals,
 Promote active conservation of soil and
water resources
 Protect surrounding forests
 Take a long term approach to agriculture
Copyright The Rabbinical Assembly 2015

12. FAIR TRADE
 Workers are paid a living wage
 No child labor or forced labor is allowed.
 Freedom of association
 Workers are guaranteed a safe work
environments and safe working conditions
 Premiums paid at the retail level allow farmers
and farm workers to invest in life changing
projects from clean drinking water, school
scholarships and health care services
 .
Fair Trade USA certifies large plantations
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13. SMALL
PRODUCERS
 Members must be small-scale producers. Members of
the organization must be smallholders who don’t depend
on hired workers all the time, but run their farm mainly by
using their own and their family’s labour.
 Democracy. Profits should be equally distributed among
the producers. All members have a voice and vote in the
decision-making process of the organization.
Copyright The Rabbinical Assembly 2015

14. FAIR FOOD  The label originated with the
Coalition of Immokalee Workers’
Campaign for Fair Food
 Similar To The “Cruelty-free” Or
“Fair Trade”
 The Logo Brands Tomatoes
 Workers Paid A Premium
Guaranteed Human Rights In
The Field
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15. Farm
Workers  Assurance: Comprehensive monitoring:
Farmworkers design safety protocols, and trains
them to work with management to reduce
pesticide and pathogen risks.

 Accountability: Together workers and managers
apply labor, pesticide and food safety standards
on site; use conflict-resolution techniques to
facilitate communication across cultural divides.
 Safety. EFI certification means farmworkers are
trained to identify threats to food safety;
indicates access to hygienic facilities and the
equipment required to minimize food safety risks.
Copyright The Rabbinical Assembly 2015

16. FOOD JUSTICE DAILY
HOW TO READ A FOOD LABEL
RABBI ELLIOT SALO SCHOENBERG RABBI RACHEL KAHN TROSTER
@RABBIELLIOT