Religious Certification Requirements for Meals.docx

Religious Certification Requirements for Meals All items offered on this bid must be certified by an accepted Orthodox Kosher certification agency from the United States or Canada, such as: OU - Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations; OK - Organized Kashrus Laboratories; Star K, KOFK; KAJ K'hal Adas Jeshurun; OKS Organization of Orthodox Kashrus Supervision; OV Vaad Hoeir of Saint Louis; CRC - Central Rabbinical Congress of the USA and Canada; CRC - Chicago Rabbinical Counsel; or Kosher Overseers of America. Quoters will include a letter of certification from the religious certification agency dated no more than 11 months from the date of the quote provided.

General Meal Specifications

1) The tray for all meals will be:

a) Made with non-metallic packaging that allows microwave and conventional oven heating and be heat sealed directly to the tray with clear plastic and wrapped with a separate sealed clear plastic wrapper which encloses the entire tray.

b) A three compartment tray with a large compartment of 21 fluid ounces and two compartments of 6 fluid ounces each.

2) All Meals will contain the food products per the individual product specification including the stated volume and/or weight of item as listed.

3) No substitutions may be made to the meats, vegetables, starches, sauces or preparation methods.

4) Meals (items 1 through 16) may be quoted as frozen and/or shelf stable products. Pricing must be identifiable as either frozen or shelf stable.

5) Each individual meal must be marked with the certification symbol from the religious certification agency.

6) Heating directions must be provided for various wattage microwaves or oven heating including recommended method.

7) Mixed Vegetables will contain carrots, corn, peas, green beans, and lima beans with:

a) Not more than 40 percent by weight carrots.

b) Not more than 40 percent by weight corn (sweet, golden or yellow, whole kernel com).

c) Not more than 40 percent by weight green peas.

8) Peas and Carrots will contain:

a) Not more than 40 percent by weight carrots.

b) Not more than 40 percent by weight green peas.

9) Mashed Potatoes will be made with commercially prepared potato flakes without peel, adding only water according to the manufacturers’ preparation instructions; or fresh potatoes prepared using only water and spices with only the amount of binder which will ensure the product does separate in processing. No extenders of any type are allowed.

10) Tomato Sauce will be commercially prepared or crushed and/or pureed tomatoes, tomato paste and spices using only the amount of binder required to ensure the product does not separate during processing.