According to KCRG News, a fire that broke out on Tuesday has destroyed 75% of the AgriStar Meat and Poultry processing plant in Postville, Iowa. The fire has been ruled as accidental. According to Brownfield Ag News, the plant is one of the largest kosher meat processing plants in the United States. It processes more than 50 million pounds of cattle products and 50 million pounds of poultry products every year. In a Statement (full text), Rabbi Moshe Elefant, CEO of OU Kosher, a major kosher certification agency that certifies Agri Star's products, said in part:
As we monitor the situation in Postville, the safety of the employees and fire fighters is our first concern.
The damaged facility means a significant portion of kosher beef and chicken slaughtered and sold in the US will not enter the kosher supply chain. Kosher consumers will feel the impact of the tightening supply with reduction of availability.
We are working closely with AgriStar and all other suppliers to find solutions for ramping up production at other plants. We are also letting kosher consumers know about the importance of validating the kosher symbol and package integrity on products they purchase.... Unfortunately, when supply is limited, it creates opportunity for unscrupulous individuals who seek to make money by preying on the well-meaning Kosher observant public.
