Liverpool’s main kosher deli caught selling non-kosher meat

Liverpool’s Jewish community has been rocked by the news that the city’s main kosher food outlet has been selling non-kosher meat and poultry.

In a letter to residents Rabbi Natan Fagleman of the Liverpool Kashrut Commission, which incorporates the Liverpool Shechita Board, outlined how “serious breaches of kashrut have taken place at Roseman’s Delicatessen”.

Jewish residents were urged not to use “all utensils that have ever been used to cook meat/poultry bought at Roseman’s” and that “all food bought under the LKC licence should be discarded,” with the exception of chickens with a Manchester Beth Din label and pre-packed sealed meat products from other suppliers.

“Arrangements are being made for shul and communal kitchens to be appropriately restored to kosher status,” said Fagleman, adding that details would follow regarding the koshering of private residences and of ovens.

“From Tuesday morning Roseman’s will only be licensed to sell pre-packed with an existing reliable Hechsher (certification)… No fresh products will be produced at Roseman’s. We believe that in this way the community will have access to fresh meant and a retail kosher outlet which is crucial to its survival.”

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While the Roseman’s investigation is underway and the licence restricted, kosher meat and poultry is being sourced from Salford-based kosher butchers MH Meats, as well as Prestwich-based Vidals Kosher Meats.

Earlier this year Roseman’s was forced to deny rumours it was closing down, blaming low stock levels on seasonal demand.

Vidals’ owner Shimmy Hanson said:“We’ve supplied Roseman’s for years and deliver every fortnight. It’s pre-packed, double-wrapped, with a double seal. It may be that we’re asked to deliver every week until this all gets resolved. If customers want to buy direct from me they can but their priority should be to continue going to Roseman’s.”

The deli packs and delivers the Pesach parcels to “needy individuals and families” who are clients of Merseyside Jewish Community Care, which said it had had “very complimentary feedback from clients who receive these parcels”. The MJCC’s kosher meals service provides more than 5,000 meals annually.

The Merseyside Jewish Representative Council, the Liverpool Shechita Board and Roseman’s have all been approached for comment.