Governor Hugh L. Carey of New York last week signed into law a bill (A 7271B/S6348B) strengthening the kashruth laws in relation to the sale of nonkosher products bearing an inscription “Jewish” or “Hebrew” style or type. The new law restricts the sale of any non-kosher meat or meat preparation or food product which is labeled or advertised with the words “Jewish” or “Hebrew” unless the word non-kosher is displayed. The words non-kosher must be displayed in English, the same size lettering as the words Jewish or Hebrew.
The requirement also applies to the use of “type” or “style” or any other expression used in conjunction with “Jewish” or “Hebrew.” The law applies to non-kosher food sold at hotels and restaurants and any place where food is sold for consumption on or off the premises.
The new law also extends the same protective requirements for the use of the term “kosher” to the use of the term “Kosher for Passover.” The Governor, in signing the bill into law, lauded the legislation for its provisions extending consumer protection.
The measure was introduced into the Legislature by Sen. Linda Winikow of Rockland County and Assemblyman Howard Lasher of Brooklyn and was sponsored by a number of legislators. The law takes effect Jan. 1, 1977 to give manufacturers of food products time to change their labels, a spokesman for the Governor’s office said today.
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