Kosher Big Business Even for Non-Jews

While kosher foods are essential to Jewish consumers, their appeal as a compromise between ordinary products and natural/organic foods has meant an appeal far beyond the small percentage of American Jews (2% and declining).

Sales of certified kosher foods have grown from $150bn six years ago to over $200bn last year, a growth rate more than 2x that of the overall food marketplace. The increase is primarily due to the growing numbers of certified products, but also to consumers seeking out kosher products as "better" or "safer" than non-kosher foods. Kosher (and also Halal foods) require stricter standards of production, including forbidding things like human hair and feathers-- which are allowed by government regulations. Analysts predict the total kosher market will soon reach $260bn. While Muslim Americans make up less than 1% of the population, one in five persons on earth follow the faith, giving Halal immense importance for global food marketing.

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