What is Magen Tzedek?

Magen Tzedek is the new ethical certification seal that will be introduced to the kosher food industry in the coming months.

A stylized version of a star of David, Magen Tzedek is the logo that will appear on the packaging of kosher foods whose producers successfully apply for ethical certification from the Hekhsher Tzedek commission.

The commission was launched in the summer of 2007 as a joint project of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism and the Rabbinical Assembly. The work of the Hekhsher Tzedek commission already has been credited with creating new interest in the ethical aspects of kashrut both within the Conservative movement and beyond it. The Magen Tzedek seal does not replace the hekhsher that certifies that food is halachically kosher but is designed to supplement those seals. Dr. Joe M. Regenstein, a professor of food science at Cornell University, has been named an advisor for the project. A well-known consultant to the kosher food industry, he will help create the Hekhsher Tzedek commission’s compliance application and procedure.

The Magen Tzedek seal will be awarded to kosher food companies based on a number of criteria having to do with such matters as employee health, safety and training; wages and benefits; the company’s environmental impact; corporate transparency, and product development.

For the complete press release, click here.