Rabbi Menachem Meir Weissmandl Shlita, announced that he is terminating his “Supreme Kosher” certification of AgriStar in Postville, IA (formerly AgriProcessors).
No reason was given for the decision.
(The OU is still certifying the plant.)
Below is the text of the English & Hebrew of the letter:
I wish to advise the public that as Friday, Feb. 12, 2010 I will terminate my Kosher certification of the poultry plant, and poultry meat processing facility
of AgriStar in Postville, IA, which is now under new management.
These products are packaged under the “Aaron’s Best” -“Supreme Kosher” and “Agri Star labels.
As of this Friday Erev Shabbos Parshas Mishpotim my Kosher certification will no longer be in force, And I take no further responsibly for its Kashrus.
The public should take note.
Rabbi Menachem Meir Weissmandl
בעזהי”ת
יום ד’ פרשת משפטים תש”ע לפ”ק
פה מאנסי יע”א
הנני בזה להודיע כי
מסוף שבוע זו פרשת משפטים תש”ע
הנני מפסיק מליתן השגחה
על בית השחיטה של עופות
והמפעל של מיני בשר ועוף מעובדים ומבושלים
של אגרי סטאר בפאסטוועיל שתחת הנהלה החדשה
המאורזים בשם
(Supreme Kosher) וסופרים כשר (Aarons Best) ארנ’ס בעסט
(Agri Star) ואגרי סטאר
ומיום ו’ ערש”ק פרשת משפטים הבעל”ט הוסר השגחתי וכל אחריותי מעל הנ”ל
ועל הציבור להזהר
מנחם מאיר ווייסמאנדל
נ.ב. כל מה שנשחט עד תאריך הנ”ל הוא בתכלית הכשרות.
Rabbi M. Weissmandl
Rabbi of Cong. Nitra Monsey
1 Park Lane Monsey NY 10952
(YWN Desk – NYC)
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19 Responses
It must not have been worth if for them to pay a second hashgachah that doesn’t add much new clientele
I hear they are going under the tarikover beis din
Just to clarify for the consumer:
The Hashgocho of Rabbi Yechiel Babad, Rav of Khal Tartikov, is not affiliated with the Hashgocho of “Tartikover Beis Din”.
Rabbi Yechiel Babad gives the Hechsher for Kosher Valley Chickens and has no connection with Rubashkin.
Just to clarify for the consumer:
The Hashgocho of Rabbi Yechiel Babad, Rav of Khal Tartikov, is not affiliated with the Hashgocho of “Tartikover Beis Din”.
Rabbi Yechiel Babad gives the Hechsher for Kosher Valley Chickens and has no connection with Agri Star and its affiliates.
This whole thing with the holyer than thou hashgochas doubling up with a recognized reliable mainstream hashgocha such as the OU, is sheer lunacy & not to mention a complete waste of money!
rescue37: “doesn’t add much new clientele” (sic)
As far as I know, Lubavitch eat only eat from Rabbi Weissmandl (Lubavitch Scheita). Most people in Postville and around the Lubavitch world, depended on Rubashkin to get there meat and chicken.
We want and need the Mashiach not the Mashgiach !
I think it’s because of the whole scandal he has had enough.
AgriStar is a new company and is not under Rubashkin menagement, eventhough they kept the Aron’s name. Supreme will close dowm and they will replace it with a different Hechsher and a company name. This is all done for financial and leagal reasons. There is still Shor Habor (Bais Din of Crown Heights) that is under Agri line. People should try to support the Rubashkin family by shopping in their store in Boro Park.
Yankel7 – “The Hashgocho of Rabbi Yechiel Babad, Rav of Khal Tartikov, is not affiliated with the Hashgocho of “Tartikover Beis Din”.
Who cares? What’s the difference?
Mr. Levin, I would respectfully disagree with you about the “holyer than thou” hashgochos. The OU has admittted that there are certain types of hakpodos they are not makpid on that some people would like to have. If let’s say you bais yosef glatt, which Agri-Star is not, you would need additional supervision.
It is a shame what has happened to Agriprocessors. I wonder why Rabbi Weissmandel removed his certification.
Thank you #9 for that information. I thought the production of Shor habor meat ended after the whole scandal. I will visit the store the next time I travel to NY.
Mr. Levin,
I believe this is the first time we have agreed about anything.
Have a good Shabbos
#5, I concur
#11 Bubby
In that case, why not just pay for the more machmir hashgocha?
Mark is right (never thought I’d say that) – there’s no point in paying for two certifications.
Flatbush Bubby
Mr. Levin is right. While meat might be an issue why should I pay more money for licorice or potate chips with a sticker from a heimishe hashgocha slapped on it. $$$$$$$$$$$ yaaneh es hakol!
13-15,
Dont get too excited yet about agreeing with me! I was referring to the money spent by the company and NOT the consumer. For the most part, the consumer has a choice of buying that brand or not.
16, as for the sticker, if anyone out there is YWNland things that some holy looking rabbi person with a beard is going to the plant to put stickers on things, they are celebrating purim too early!
Are there holyer than thou agencies that actually look into things, yes! But they are very few and far between, Most will just simply rely on the OU and what the OU tells them.
Any rov from a holyer than thou hechsher that simply rubber stamps the original hechsher, will have to answer for it achar meah v’esrim.
#17, upon further examination, I dissent. And, to think, I was so excited about that post. 🙂
#17 Levin
“I was referring to the money spent by the company and NOT the consumer.”
Aren’t we all? The monetary portion of a hechscher that’s passed along to the consumer is negligible. I thought we were all talking about company costs.
“Any rov from a holyer than thou hechsher”
Who decides which hechscher is “holier than thou?”