WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT
ihe U.S. administxation is apparentl^r listening to Chr-thodos: leaders who are worried that proposed changes in Department of Agriculture meat and poultry regulations could put a big crimp in the kosher food industry.
The new USDA rules are designed to protect consumers from tainted meat and poultry by requiring a variety of anti-mi-crobial treatments using chemicals like lactic, acetic or citric acid and chlorinated water. If such treatments are applied before the ritual salting process, the meat could not be certified as kosher.
That would pose a special problem for smaller kosher meat processors, said Abba Cohen, Washington representative for Agudath Israel of America.
Cohen headed up a delegation of Orthodox leaders and kosher foods executives who met with Agriculture Secretary Dan GHckman.
Imduded were representatives of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, the Rabbinical Council of America and several major kosher meat processors.
"The secretary asked a lot of detailed, informed questions about kosher procedure and the kosher consuming public," Cohen said. "He made it dear that the USDA is committed to fmd-ing procedures that will satisfy health and safety concerns, while accommodating the religious needs of observant Jews."
The Barkan Winery in Israel has signed a contract to export 30,000 bottles of wine to Thailand, for $80,000. Exports include red wines of
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