Empire Responds: We’re Pleased With Chariedi Hashgocha

By COLlive reporter

Empire Kosher Poultry and its partners made a strong statement of reassurance on Wednesday: All Empire Kosher products are under the long-standing kosher certification of the OU and the strict hashgocha of Rabbi Yechiel Babad.

Rabbi Babad, also known as the Tartikover Rav of Boro Park, is a well-known rav hamachshir trusted by communities in the chariedi world. Since November, after his visits and inspections of the Mifflintown plant in Pennsylvania, and his careful reviewing of the schechita process, Rabbi Babad has certified that all Empire Kosher products meet the highest standards of kashrus, Empire said.

Rabbi Babad also praised the fact that Empire is the only kosher poultry supplier with a vertically integrated supply chain, including their own chicken hatchery, which provides even further control over the kashrus of the product.

“The operations and procedures at Empire’s plant, together with their strict standards and integrity, go above and beyond what others do,” said Rabbi Babad. “The standards of schechita and the high quality of the shochtim are world class. Empire’s products are Kosher L’Mehadrin min HaMehadrin and can be used by those with even the most exacting standards in kashrus.”

Rabbi Yisroel Weiss, Executive VP of Empire Kosher Poultry adds, “We are so pleased to be able to satisfy the needs of consumers who only purchase products with a chassidish certification. Now even more families can enjoy and benefit from the high-quality poultry that Empire is famous for.”

Their statements were made after Rabbi Yisroel Mantel of KAJ, Kahal Adath Jeshurun in New York City, one of the agencies certifying Empire, announced they are no longer supervision the brand.

In his letter, Rabbi Mantel went a step further to distance himself from Empire, saying: “Unfortunately, circumstances have developed that prevent us from being able to guarantee that are our standards of kashrus will continue to be met.”

Empire said in a statement sent to COLlive.com that the separation from KAJ was “to allow for the most stringent chareidi supervision which combines oversight from both the OU and Rabbi Babad of Tartikover for all Empire Kosher Poultry products.”

Rabbi Weiss of Empire said: “I am very disheartened to learn that our decision to commit to the chariedi community has resulted in demeaning and untrue public statements from KAJ.”

He added, “Months ago, we worked earnestly to execute an amicable separation agreement when KAJ refused to support our decision to add another supervision which represented an additional market. Empire Kosher Poultry is more committed than ever to being an exemplary kosher operation, and the preservation of our reputation means everything to our people, including the more than 60 chasidic rabbis onsite who have worked tirelessly for decades, making extreme sacrifices, to adhere to the strictest kashrus practices.”

Empire Kosher Poultry, Inc. produces a variety of kosher chicken and turkey products free of antibiotics, artificial ingredients
or added growth hormones.

Their products are available in the refrigerated meat or frozen case and deli and/or prepared foods sections at fine supermarkets, kosher grocers, as well as warehouse stores throughout the United States under its flagship Empire Kosher brand, and at Whole Foods Market under its Kosher Valley brand.

Empire said that Rabbi Aaron Teitelbaum, the Nirbatur Rav, who serves as rav hamachshir for Alle Processing, has a full partnership with the OU and Rabbi Babad on kashrus operations in the Empire Kosher Poultry plant.

All consumers, including those seeking a chassidisha schechita, can purchase Empire Kosher products with the confidence that it is of the highest quality under the supervision of the OU and Rabbi Babad, Empire stated.