Worldwide Kosher Supervision

About Us

STAR-K Certification, Inc., chartered in 1947 as the Orthodox Jewish Council/Vaad Hakashrus of Baltimore, is a nonprofit 501(c)3 agency considered one of the most trusted and respected kosher certification organizations by kosher consumers and kosher organizations, alike. Our status as a non-profit organization helps us avoid conflicts of interest that might compromise our high kashrus standards, and is the underpinning of that trust.

Headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, with offices throughout the U.S.– along with dedicated staff in China, Australia, India, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Central America, South America, Europe and Israel – STAR-K certifies food products, appliances, establishments and industrial food chemicals in over 3100 locations.

We currently have a presence in 48 states and 63 countries, and employ 360 employees worldwide.

We are internationally renowned for our extensive research and are recognized as one of the largest certifying bodies globally among more than 1400 kosher certification agencies around the world.

ONE OF THE MOST TRUSTED & RESPECTED KOSHER CERTIFICATION ORGANIZATIONS

Our Leadership

STAR-K’s symbol recognition and acceptability can largely be attributed to the long-standing guidance and meticulous direction of our Rabbinic Administrator, Rabbi Moshe Heinemann, a position he assumed in 1971. Rabbi Heinemann studied for many years at Beth Midrash Govoha in Lakewood, NJ, under Rabbi Aharon Kotler, and was ordained by Rabbi Moshe Feinstein. Today, he is widely recognized as one of the foremost halachic authorities in the Jewish world.

With his mastery of both the intricacies of Jewish Law and the complex world of modern technology, Rabbi Heinemann is regularly consulted by both rabbinic and industrial leaders for his in-depth knowledge and practical application of science and religion. At STAR-K, all kashrus-related matters are his sole responsibility, and the rabbinic staff answers only to him. He is backed by a formidable technical staff, with a deep network of rabbinic kashrus administrators, field supervisors, and mashgichim (professional auditors). Rabbi Heinemann is also the rabbi of Agudath Israel of Baltimore, a position he has held since 1981.

Avrom Pollak, president of STAR-K, assumed the day-to-day leadership of STAR-K in 1981, when he left the world of academia to devote his administrative energies to our organization on a full-time basis. He was previously the Director of the Electron Microscope Laboratory at the University of Maryland Cancer Center.

Avrom Pollak’s expertise spans the world of science and religion, with both rabbinic ordination from Mesivta Torah Vodaath and a PhD in cell and molecular biology from City University of New York. His vision and steady leadership transformed STAR-K from a small, community-based certification agency to one that is recognized and respected all over the globe.

Rabbi Moshe
Heinemann

Avrom
Pollak

The STAR-K Advantage

STAR-K has a stellar reputation in the world of kosher. We have earned that reputation as a result of our commitment to serving our clients and the kosher public at large. We are known for:

• The expertise of our rabbinical staff. Under the leadership of Rabbi Moshe Heinemann, a world renowned halachic authority, our kashrus administrators are subject matter experts in their fields, who have established solid relationships with colleagues in many industries, including chemicals, processing aids, dairy, meat, flavors, and enzymes.

• Our exceptional ability to troubleshoot. We have the resources, knowledge and experience to respond to issues in a timely manner.

• Our rapid turnaround and response times. Requests by production staff for approval of new ingredients and formulas are processed in a timely manner. Our rabbis and research teams are dedicated to providing our certified companies with a highly professional and hassle-free experience.

• Recognition and appreciation by the general public. We are valued as a resource for questions on every topic. We field over 100,000 questions per year on our hotline, which gives us tremendous insight into the issues of concern to the kosher consumer. Additionally, we have been publishing the very popular and widely admired Kashrus Kurrents quarterly newsletter for over four decades on timely topics of interest to our kosher audience. This commitment has enabled manufacturers and distributors to have access to the significant kosher marketplace that might otherwise be impenetrable to them. We receive frequent emails of appreciation from our clients and associates lauding our professionalism, expertise, and friendliness.
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A LEADER IN KOSHER CERTIFICATION AND CONSUMER EDUCATION FOR OVER HALF A CENTURY

Why Choose STAR-K

Our client list includes well-known companies and brands, including BASF, Riviana Foods, DFA, Nestle, Bonduelle, RedVines, Whirlpool, Brenntag, Ingevity, Univar, Pompeian, Olin Chlor Alkali Products, Electrolux, Vita Coco, Bosch, Shaklee, Fresh Express, Sour Punch, Ancient Harvest Quinoa, Baskin Robbins, Mylanta, Samuel Adams, Angry Orchard, among many, many others.

In recognition of STAR-K's unique attributes, both Quality Assurance International (QAI) – through its parent company, NSF International – and the Non-GMO Project have chosen to partner with us in providing joint Kosher Organic/Non-GMO audits, allowing for a streamlined, more efficient and cost-effective triple certification. Moreover, we have an excellent working relationship with the Islami c community and certifiers of Halal.

These various cooperative ventures combine the finest communal and kashrus talents, significantly benefitting our extensive roster of certified companies.
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WORKING TOGETHER TO PROVIDE KOSHER CONSUMERS WITH THE UTMOST IN KOSHER SUPERVISION

Testimonials

...the supervisors, the rabbi, always helps us with all of our questions, with all of our requirements of information that we have.

Javier FernandezAndean
Valley

They helped us design our kosher facility. They're very knowledgable, they're technically competent. We have had two other certifications in the past, and to be honest, this is the best one that we have found.

William BaugherBlue Mountain
Flavors

STAR-K is very personable, they're friendly, easy to talk with, and they're always available. Always.

Dov OsinaCalifornia
Delight

We found them very easy to deal with. We researched and basically had the option of going with several other companies, and because of STAR-K and how they treated us and also their reputation in the marketplace we went ahead and selected STAR-K and have been very satisfied and very happy.

George SweeneyHeart of the
Desert Pistachios

I work with the STAR-K people every day. Everybody is easy to get along with, everybody is a team player. Usually, if there's any type of problem or issue that comes up, we all work together to find one solution that meets the STAR-K protocol. Kreider Farms and STAR-K are one big happy family.

Rick CramerKreider
Farms

They're great partners. Obviously, they are supervisors so they do have an authoritative role in our relationship. But, I really consider them partners, as opposed to coming in and trying to dictate how things are done.

Bill BuppertMary Sue
Candies

Templar Food Products has had the good fortune of working with STAR-K for decades. STAR-K is diligent, detail-oriented, honest, hardworking and helpful. STAR-K holds the highest standards of professionalism: confidentiality, respect and integrity. After being part of the STAR-K family for so long, I do highly recommend them as a top notch kosher certification for worldwide supply chains.

Susan BradyTemplar Food
Products

Our Sacred Mission

Ultimately, consumer confidence is what matters. At STAR-K, we are well aware that we are entrusted by the kosher public to uphold the highest standards of kashrus at all times. That trust is our mission and our calling. We are duty-bound to serve you with integrity, reliability, and unmatched professionalism.

STAR-K is ready to build a cooperative partnership with you, and to help you realize your marketing objectives.
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CONSUMER CONFIDENCE IS WHAT MATTERS

Star-D

The STAR-D symbol on a product label or an establishment's Letter of Certification indicates that the product or establishment contains or serves dairy ingredients. All kosher-certified dairy products must bear a dairy designation in order to comply with kosher law that requires keeping milk separate from meat. STAR-D products and establishments are exclusively administered by STAR-K.

Many iconic brands worldwide bear the STAR-D symbol. These include Baskin-Robbins ice cream, Cargill chocolate, ADM cocoa, Mini-Melts ice cream, King Nut airline snack packs, selected 7-Eleven snacks, selected Edible Arrangements products, Rita's Italian Ices locations, as well as over a BILLION gallons of supermarket milk and ice cream brands produced by DFA throughout the United States.

STAR-D fully meets the commonly accepted standard of kosher for dairy that is used by all kashrus agencies. There are some consumers, however, who require a higher standard for dairy termed Cholov Yisroel. Products with that designation undergo constant, on-site supervision, from milking through production. Other than being designated as non-Cholov Yisroel, STAR-D products and establishments meet the same standards of kosher as required for STAR-K certification.

To apply for STAR-D certification, please complete our online form.
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Star-S

STAR-S is a Sephardic Mehadrin Kashrut certification, developed in coordination with STAR-K and the support of an international network of kosher certified companies, to meet the kashrut needs of Sephardic communities around the globe, according to the minhagim of both Sephardim and Bnei Edot Hamizrach.

The mission of STAR-S is to provide Sephardic communities with products that meet the highest kashrut standards and which abide by Sephardic chumrot in four areas: Bishul Beit Yosef, Chalak Beit Yosef meats, Yashan grain products, and Hamotzi breads. STAR-S also pioneered domestic production of Kitniyot l'Pesach to a Mehadrin standard.

STAR-S is a subsidiary certification provided to eligible STAR-K certified companies upon request.

To apply for STAR-K certification, please complete our online form.
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Serving the needs of US Sephardic Communities

While there are many areas in which they differ from their Ashkenazi brethren, Sepharadim abide by chumrot in four key areas: Bishul Beit Yosef, Chalak Beit Yosef, Yashan and Hamotzi. There are also a host of differences with respect to the halachot of Pesach. These are explained briefly below.

1. Bishul Beit Yosef
While Ashkenazim require Bishul Yisrael, according to Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah 113, the Rama permits foods cooked by an aino-Yehudi, provided the fires are lit by a Yisrael. Per Maran Beit Yosef, these foods should not be consumed unless at least the first third of the cooking was performed by a Yisrael.
2. Chalak Beit Yosef
Chalak Beit Yosef is a kosher standard for beef that meets the requirements of Maran Beit Yosef. Maran Beit Yosef does not permit animals with certain blemishes on their lungs, even though the Rama permits this. Glatt Kosher lamb and veal do meet Beit Yosef's standard.
3. Yashan
While many Ashkenazic communities outside of Eretz Yisrael are lenient concerning grain products that are not Yashan, Maran Beit Yosef and all Sephardic communities are machmir in this regard.
4. Hamotzi Bread
Rama rules that all bread that qualifies as Turita d'Nahama is considered to be Hamotzi. Maran Beit Yosef rules that bread with sweetness or taste is Mezonot. Therefore, many challot and rolls are considered to be Mezonot by Sephardim.

STAR-S also pioneered domestic production of Kitniyot l'Pesach to a Mehadrin standard.

A brief history of the development of STAR-S and additional information about Sephardi customs can be found here.

About STAR-K