Kona Ice truck used the Kof-K Hechsher on their truck without authorization, the Hechsher told TLS today.
The truck, which was present at a fair in Jackson today attended by many Yidden, was apparently using the Hechsher throughout the summer, and at least one camp even used the truck to distribute ices to their camp.
Today, someone spotted the paper on the truck and called the Kof-K to verify it. The Kof-K immediately took action.
The Hechsher tells TLS they called the number on the truck and asked about the unauthorized display, and the woman who picked up the phone stated they had some type of Hechsher for flavors, and then hung up on them. The Hechsher then left a strong message threatening legal action, and then several minutes later received a call back stating they would be removing the Hechsher.
The Hechsher says they may be pursuing legal action.
Please fight them in court. People have to face repercussions to ensure this doesn’t happen again.
Fight them in court? Really isn’t that a bit much?
No it’s not a bit much. They are committing consumer fraud and the word has to get out that the hashgachas will take action למען ישמעו ויראו otherwise there will be more incidents.
People need to understand they need to see a letter from the authorizing Hechsher. They must be taken to court otherwise they will be back with a different truck, different name and a different hechsher.
Yes, and it shouldn’t take so long before someone looks for an actual letter and/or calls the hechsher. That is the main lesson from this!
a chitzpah!
zicher! A groise chitzpah!
The problem is we need to look for proper letters – not just logos!
Consumers should be more attuned to actually check for a Kosher certificate and not take a random Paper which has a Hechsher printed on it as a validation that it is a Kosher certification especially in communities like Jackson.
No it’s really not asking too much. The problem is that you have to be able to show that your trademark was violated and that you were caused damage by it. That’s hard to show when you’re dealing with one of these cases however, if enough people were to take up the cause on writing in to the court that they were traumatized etc etc etc for eating non-kosher there might be something punitive
That’s what kosher laws were made for. Since fighting the trademark route was very difficult, the states made specific laws for kosher orgs.
Unfortunately, most kosher consumers are ignorant by choice. They should really be checking these things out. You look for a kosher letter of certification that clearly clearly clearly mentions this truck. Everything has to be perfect on that letter. If you have any questions take a picture of the letter and send it to your local kosher organization or people whom you know who are Kashrus professionals. A major chunk of my day is dealing with questions from consumers and I am not working in an office etc. I’m out in the field making sure you people are able to eat.
From what I remember, I think Kona trucks are owned by individuals. The base of the drinks is certified, but the pre-mix is made by each truck owner without supervision. I don’t live in Lakewood, but I know that a local Kona truck was being hired for Jewish events. They tried to get certification but there were too many variables that couldn’t be controlled.
My daughter was at the ocean county mall today and plenty of people still eating at Rita’s
If People are eating at Rita’s That is their responsibility to check for kashrus This is different, they lied and they put a sign that they weren’t given it is fraud.
New Jersey administrative code title 13 chapter 45A Subchapter 21, addresses such abuses.
The penalties include a monetary penalty (which based on looking at previous cases seems to range from $500-$5000 for a first offense), revocation of licenses, and additional sanctions as necessary.
That doesn’t preclude any class action lawsuits or a trademark lawsuit.
I can’t tell you whether such a lawsuit is financially viable, but there is definitely a strong argument to made for a strategic lawsuit to prevent further abuses.
How would any thinking person rely on that silly Kof K printout? That truck searched Images of Kof K, hit “print”, and then displayed it. Come on, some basics.
They “may” be pursuing legal action??!?!?
I hope the Chof-k didn’t actually say that, I really hope they said they will pursue legal action on every count. Sue the living brains out of them, that’s the only way to stop Hashgacha fraud.
Hashgacha is based on Ne’emanus and if there is no repercussions to anyone a yid and especially a goy that plays around then we will loose every standard in Hashgachah. Who should we trust? We trust the hashgachah that they’re doing their job and their Job is to do anything and everything right now to make sure that any person will be scared to do this again..
Oh and don’t say it was just ices, grape ices yayin nesech? A lot more problems besides that
It is the consumers responsibility. I mean in Woodbury commons, the amount of yidden eating in the açaí place where the mashgiach
Listed on the paper displayed in the window doesn’t even answer his phone. I called several times to verify if we can eat there. There is a kosher truck run by chasidish Monroe people in Woodbury commons, but the amount of people eating at the açaí place run by aino yehudi is astounding.
When in doubt about these eating establishments, best thing to do is eat at home & save the floose.
Do the have Italian ice for someone who is lactose intolerant?
What does your name mean? (PONYLOVESBLUE)