Empire Kosher Poultry Introduces Factory-Sealed Packaging

Wednesday, February 7, 2007



Empire Kosher has once again positioned itself as the industry leader in kosher poultry, by introducing groundbreaking packaging, the first to respond to recent concerns of counterfeiting and mislabeling of kosher poultry products.

As of February 12, 2007, Empire Kosher will eliminate its fresh bulk “Ice Pack” product line currently sold to customers/retailers who traditionally re-pack and further process the product.

Replacing the bulk pack is a Factory-Sealed product line where products will be bagged in branded bags and sealed onsite at Empire, offering consumers the security of brand authenticity and ensuring its kashrus status. These Factory-Sealed packages also have a tamper proof, holographic emblem providing a second layer of kashrus security.
“With Empire’s new packaging system, consumers can be assured that they are receiving a product that is 100 percent kosher. It takes the concept of the traditional plumba to a whole new level,” said Rabbi Menachem Genack, CEO of OU Kosher, one of Empire’s kosher supervising agencies.

“This new initiative provides the consumer with a solid guarantee that the chicken and turkey they bring home to their family is, in fact, an Empire product and indeed kosher,” said Greg Rosenbaum, CEO of Empire Kosher Poultry. Rosenbaum continued, “It’s very simple. If a package is not branded and does not include the security hologram on the outside, it’s not guaranteed to be genuine Empire Kosher poultry on the inside.”

Master case weights, pack sizes, and products offered will remain virtually unchanged from current Ice Pack specifications. Within the case, whole chickens and turkeys will be individually wrapped, whereas chicken and turkey parts such as legs, thighs and breasts, will be grouped in Factory-Sealed bags so they can be simply put on a tray, weighed and over-wrapped.

Currently, retailers also customize products to consumer needs by cutting poultry into parts and special cuts by request. Empire products can still be customized for consumers but retailers will need to open the Factory-Sealed package and make any cuts in the view of the consumer. If a retailer removes the product from its Factory-Sealed package without the shopper’s knowledge, the product is not to be labeled “Empire Kosher” when put on the shelf for retail sale.

Other Empire products such as frozen poultry, cooked entrees and specialty frozen foods will soon carry the hologram emblem, ensuring the consumer that the entire product line has the same level of Kashrus security.