The popularity of kosher food 引領飲食潮流的猶太潔食

你聽說過 “潔食” 嗎？“潔食” 是符合猶太教規的食物。不過現在有許多非猶太人也在嘗試猶太潔食。這類食物和其它食物有什麼不同之處呢？為什麼如此受歡迎？吃潔食有什麼好處？本文討論為什麼 “潔食” 比以往任何時候都更受歡迎。

詞匯：regulations 規定

Have you ever eaten kosher food? That’s food which conforms to the Jewish dietary regulations of kashrut. These regulations forbid consuming pork or shellfish of any kind, for example. Meat from other animals, such as cows and lamb, are OK provided restrictions are met. But they must be slaughtered according to set guidelines. All kosher rulings are overseen by trained rabbis from a kosher certification agency. They inspect, uphold and grant rights to label a food kosher. Ordinarily, kosher food is associated with the Jewish faith, but it’s becoming very popular among non-Jews too.

According to the Jewish telegraphic agency, as of 2018 there were approximately 7.5 million Jews in the United States. But, according to a study by the Quartz business news website, 41% of all packaged foodstuffs there are certified kosher. In fact, the global kosher food market is predicted to rise to $60 billion in annual sales by 2025 – according to PR Newswire, a press release distribution network.

Why might this be? One reason is the possible perception that kosher food is cleaner or healthier. Another is the guarantee that certain allergens, such as shellfish, will definitely not be permitted. And its protocols mean anyone seeking to avoid certain animal-based ingredients, such as gelatine, can do so.

“It appeals to a more health-conscious consumer”, says Menachem Lubinsky, CEO of Lubicom. They’re the organiser of “Kosherfest”, a two-day event that advertises itself as ‘the world’s largest and most attended kosher-certified products trade show’. In 2019, at its 31st event in New Jersey, attendance was up from the previous year by 800, and 300 new products were on display. In addition, non-Jewish-owned companies from places such as Pakistan, South Korea and Italy were in attendance.

So keep your eyes peeled for an authorised kosher trademark the next time you’re food shopping. Based on their popularity to date, it might not be long before we’re all eating a little something kosher.

詞匯表

conform 符合，遵守
regulation 規則，規定
forbid 禁止
restriction 限制
according to 按照，根據
guidelines 準則，標準
ruling 決定，裁定
oversee 監管
uphold 維護
grant (the) right to 授予……權利
certified 有合格證書的，獲得資格的
guarantee 保證
permit 允許
protocol 規定
authorised 認證的，授權的
trademark 商標

測驗與練習

1. 閱讀課文並回答問題。

1. Which two foods mentioned in the article are not kosher?

2. What is the global kosher food market expected to rise to by 2025?

3. Why might vegetarians be interested in some kosher food?

4. What does Menachem Lubinsky say about kosher food?

5. True or false: Only Jewish organisations attended Kosherfest.

2. 選擇意思恰當的單詞或詞組來完成下列句子。

1.When signing the contract, employees agree to _______ to the company’s rules.

conform oversee uphold permit

2. This visa will _______ the right to live and work in Europe for the next year.

forbid restrict certify grant

3. My TV broke, but it’s under _______ so they’ll repair it for free for me.

regulation guideline guarantee certification

4. As a manager you are _______ to adjust your team’s wages as you see fit.

authorised guaranteed restricted forbidden

5. All items on sale are discounted by 20%, though certain _______ apply.

regulations guidelines certifications restrictions

答案

1. 閱讀課文並回答問題。

1. Which two foods mentioned in the article are not kosher?
Kosher regulations forbid consuming pork or shellfish of any kind.

2. What is the global kosher food market expected to rise to by 2025?
It is predicted to rise to $60 billion in annual sales by 2025.

3. Why might vegetarians be interested in some kosher food?
Anyone seeking to avoid certain animal-based ingredients, such as gelatine, can do so.

4. What does Menachem Lubinsky say about kosher food?
It ‘appeals to a more health-conscious consumer’, says Menachem Lubinsky.

5. True or false: Only Jewish organisations attended Kosherfest.
False. Not only were the expected Jewish-owned companies in attendance, but firms not owned or run by Jews.

2. 選擇意思恰當的單詞或詞組來完成下列句子。

1. When signing the contract, employees agree to conform to the company’s rules.

2. This visa will grant the right to live and work in Europe for the next year.

3. My TV broke, but it’s under guarantee so they’ll repair it for free for me.

4. As a manager you are authorised to adjust your team’s wages as you see fit.

5. All items on sale are discounted by 20%, though certain restrictions apply.