London – Talks on using cameras in the kitchens of kosher restaurants have led to accusations of “Big Brother” tactics by the supervisory body.
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The scheme could mean officials at the London Beth Din could log in online and access cameras inside its 17 restaurants at any time.
The footage could alert the KLBD to staff breaking any of the strict conditions required under its supervision, including scrutinising and cleaning vegetables of all insects and ensuring fish and meat are prepared separately.
Rabbi Jeremy Conway, executive director of the London Beth Din Kashrut Division, said: “We have no immediate plans to install cameras in restaurants.
“However, this is a great idea which could help reduce the amount of inspection required and thus the costs of supervision. The concept of using modern technology to enhance Jewish living is at the centre of the KLBD approach to kashrut and the ability to have 24/7 supervision for minimal cost is definitely something we should be looking at.”
One London restaurant owner said: “I think it is quite intrusive and while we would have nothing to hide, it kind of says the Beth Din doesn’t trust its licence-holders, and smells a bit of Big Brother.”
Leor Nissim, who owns the White House and Isola Bella chains, said: “When I was in the process of opening a new restaurant in Golders Green earlier this year, I was asked by the Beth Din about the cameras and was told they were looking into having access to them.
No hashgacha should intrude to this degree on the restaurants they supervise. Its a blatant violaton of their rights to privacy.
They need to be putting camers in the new york restaurants. Not to mention the meat factories too.now that the article mentioned isabella I do miss the food.
If you have nothing to hide you will have nothing to worry about.I’m a owner of such an establishment and we set this up years ago
Any Kosher restaurant that has nothing to hide should not have any problem with this. I think EVERY Kosher restaurant worth their meat should have this. While a mashgiach temidi is good – he only has one pair of eyes. Using both together should be the way forward.
This is ALREADY done in many establishments by reliable agencies in the USA. If the restaurateur doesn’t want it, let him not be kosher!
This is just using inflammatory language. “Intrusive” where ? Is a Mashgiach less intrusive? The restaurant has agreed to the suspervision and that means just that.
No difference whether it is by the Mashgiach or the 24 hour camera. FYI many kashrus violations have occurred when the Mashgiach was not in attendance.
This is a great idea! It should greatly reduce the costs of rabbinic supervision, helping restaurants to stay in business.
1) I agree that these cameras should be installed and anyone afraid of them has something to hide.
2) I know ofr a fact that shomrim, often younger people or maybe some soft targets can be quite intimidated by chefs or owners. You cannot scare cameras.
3) Mr. Nisim is a very good man. He owns now 4 restaurants which are very popular amongst the rank and file.
4) My guess is this is big brother’s idea – usually coming from higher ends of the United Synagogue.
been done for years in lakewood and other cities in usa london is still far behind in kashrus and techology