Following the damaging report appearing in Yediot Achronot, which was translated and published by JKN for YWN, the Chief Rabbinate has released a statement regarding its schita and standard of meat. The original Hebrew text appears on the website following this translation:

“One may eat the meat imported from abroad by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, both the glatt and the regular schita, and there is no need for concern since the teams sent abroad are experts in the field and all G-d fearing individuals. They are proficient in checking knives and detecting the slightest problem that may arise. They are also expert in the field of checking lungs and other internal organs.

In addition, those responsible for treibering (de-veining), salting and soaking are knowledgeable and skilled in their fields, working under a team leader who is responsible for them. The team leader regularly reports to the Chief Rabbinate on the operations ongoing abroad.

We take this opportunity to give a vote of confidence to Rabbi Yaakov Sabag Shlita, who heads the National Kashrut Division, and Rabbi Ezra Hariri Raful Shlita, who heads the overseas schita department, both working tirelessly in tandem with rabbonim and poskim (halachic decision-makers) to ensure the end product complies with kashrut and standards for those to eat and enjoy and to maintain a proper kosher home.

This has been the case for decades, and we are constantly improving where and when necessary, and of late, we have improved our internal audits and reviewed all operating protocol.

May Hashem grant us a blessed year and may we be inscribed in the book of good life.

Chief Rabbis Moshe Shlomo Amar and Yona Metzger.

(YWN Israel / Jerusalem Kosher News)