Keeping enzymes kosher

I n 2010, as part of a research project, I accompanied the Orthodox Union’s (OU) Senior European rabbinic field representative and Novozymes’ Global Halal and Kosher Coordinator on the annual kosher inspection at Novozymes’ production facility for enzymes in Denmark. You might find it surprising that a biotech company with an annual revenue of around US$2 billion has its own Halal and Kosher Coordinator and conducts regular inspections to ensure compliance with religious dietary rules, but there are sound economic reasons why Novozymes—and many other companies— invests in obtaining such certifications. The global market for kosher and halal—a set of dietary rules for Jews and Muslims, respectively—has grown massively in recent years. The North American kosher food market grew by 15% between 2002 and 2012, with roughly US$200 billion worth of koshercertified food products sold annually. This increase is representative of a global trend [1]. In addition, many food companies and suppliers also cater to other dietary or philosophical requirements such as gluten-free, GM-free or vegan/vegetarian products, because doing so serves growing demand and markets. ...................................................... “Kosher and/or halal certification is a good example with which to study how sacred notions and beliefs influence the secular, commercial world of biotechnology.” ......................................................