In today’s global F&B marketplace, the difference between shelf success and international stagnation often comes down to one word: compliance. And at the Global Products Expo, happening June 26–28, 2025, at the New Jersey Expo Center, the importance of certifications like kosher compliance, halal approval, and clean labeling was more than a regulatory box to check—it was a business growth strategy.
Whether you’re a startup scaling regionally or a legacy brand targeting international expansion, certifications are no longer just optional signals of trust. They are now core elements of consumer expectation, export eligibility, and competitive positioning.
Here’s what exhibitors, product teams, and compliance officers need to know about why kosher compliance and other certifications are playing a larger role than ever—and how to approach them strategically.
Why Kosher Certification Matters in 2025
The global kosher food market is expected to reach $60 billion by 2025, driven by not only religious consumers but also health-conscious shoppers seeking transparency, stricter manufacturing controls, and recognizable symbols of quality.
Beyond Religion: Kosher as a Trust Signal
Consumers—especially those in North America and parts of Europe—frequently purchase kosher-certified goods even when they don’t follow kosher dietary laws. Why? Because kosher certification is perceived as:
- More regulated and clean
- Traceable and safe
- Inclusive of allergy-aware protocols
For brands entering international markets or selling at major retailers, kosher compliance isn’t just about meeting the needs of Jewish consumers—it’s about appealing to multi-ethnic, multicultural buyer segments who prioritize verified sourcing.
The Expo Floor: Certification as a Selling Tool
This year’s expo featured more than 200 booths with visible halal and kosher certifications. Brands used their certification seals as lead generation assets, prominently displayed in booth design, QR-enabled product demos, and even on recipe cards.
Key Observations:
- Buyers actively sought dual-certified (halal + kosher) products for multi-market SKU rollouts.
- Export managers emphasized kosher and halal labeling as critical for entering Middle Eastern, Southeast Asian, and North American markets.
- Products with third-party clean-label certifications were more likely to secure meetings with large-scale buyers and hospitality chains.
What Kosher Compliance Entails for Exhibitors
To meet kosher standards, F&B products must adhere to strict dietary laws (kashrut) regarding ingredients, preparation, and equipment use. But for global producers, kosher certification also affects:
1. Supply Chain Transparency
You’ll need full documentation for every raw material, including additives, enzymes, and flavorings. If your supply chain crosses borders, kosher approval may involve vetting facilities in multiple regions.
2. Production Segregation
Kosher processing often requires dedicated equipment, or at minimum, rigorous sterilization between kosher and non-kosher runs. In mixed-use factories, this means scheduling and training are crucial.
3. Rabbinic Supervision
An authorized kosher agency must audit your facility, sometimes with on-site supervision. This is where choosing the right certifier—recognized by your target buyers—makes all the difference.
Common Kosher Compliance Mistakes to Avoid
Many brands approach certification late in the product development cycle or after marketing materials are finalized. At the expo, several exhibitors shared their top lessons:
- Waiting until launch to start certification delayed shipments to U.S. retailers.
- Assuming ingredients were automatically kosher because they were plant-based led to compliance failures.
- Choosing a certifier not recognized by target markets caused issues with major distributors.
Halal + Kosher: Why Dual Certification Is the New Global Standard
Brands with dual certifications were among the most visited booths in the global food pavilion. Not only did this expand market access across continents, but it also gave exhibitors a competitive edge when pitching to multinational retailers, airline food service teams, and hotel procurement managers.
Benefits of Dual Certification:
- Access to Muslim-majority and Jewish-majority markets
- More trust from health-conscious and ingredient-aware consumers
- Competitive advantage in international trade fairs and export catalogs
Several certifying agencies now offer bundled or parallel certification audits to streamline the process and reduce cost.
Clean Labels and Ingredient Transparency
In addition to halal and kosher, buyers at the expo sought “clean label” products—those with simple, recognizable ingredients and transparent sourcing. While not a religious certification, clean labeling often overlaps with kosher compliance:
- Both require no hidden animal derivatives.
- Both restrict certain emulsifiers and additives.
- Both require meticulous documentation and label clarity.
Combining these attributes gives your brand a stronger story—especially when selling to retailers building “free-from” and “better-for-you” product lines.
What Compliance Officers Need to Prepare Before the Expo
If you’re exhibiting at an international trade show—or selling into global markets—here’s a compliance checklist to help position your brand effectively:
- Audit Raw Materials
Ensure all ingredients (including carriers and enzymes) are documented and eligible for kosher certification. - Vet Your Co-Manufacturer
If you don’t produce in-house, confirm your facility can meet segregation and cleaning requirements. - Select the Right Certification Body
Choose a certifier recognized in your export target region. Examples include OU, OK, Kof-K, and Star-K for kosher; and IFANCA, JAKIM, or HFA for halal. - Update Your Labeling
Make room on product labels for certification symbols and expiration dates, which may be required by retail buyers. - Document Traceability
Prepare to present digital traceability systems during buyer meetings. Retailers are increasingly asking for full visibility from farm to shelf.
Certification = Competitive Advantage
Certification is no longer a backend formality—it’s a strategic marketing tool. At the Global Products Expo, certified products consistently drew more foot traffic, stronger buyer interest, and better post-show engagement.
Brands that could speak fluently about their kosher compliance journey, sustainability protocols, and clean-label ingredients didn’t just get interest—they got orders.
Final Thoughts
For international exhibitors and QA teams preparing for high-visibility trade shows like the Global Products Expo, kosher compliance is a high-impact differentiator. It supports market entry, unlocks new distribution partnerships, and reinforces the transparency modern consumers demand.
In a marketplace defined by trust, visibility, and verified sourcing, being kosher-certified isn’t just a symbol—it’s a signal of operational excellence and global readiness.
If you’re developing a new product or preparing to scale internationally, now is the time to build compliance into your R&D and marketing from day one.
Need help crafting kosher-ready packaging copy, updating your global trade deck, or preparing for expo buyer meetings? Let’s align your certification strategy with your sales goals—one label at a time.
