K A S H R U T . C O M_©

Chief Rabbinate in Israel Adopts US Facon Designation

May 25, 2021 from Kosher Today:

"A strictly kosher restaurant serving lamb bacon was ordered to change the name to “Facon,” so as not to confuse customers. " "In Jerusalem’s Machne Yehuda Market, the Crave Gourmet Street Food, announced that it reluctantly changed the name of its famous lamb bacon to “facon” in accordance with a recent decision by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel. On its menu are items like lamb bacon and vegan cheese. Other Jerusalem restaurants have followed suit by using vegan cheeses on their kosher burgers, as well as serving beef or lamb bacon—the latter a fan favorite that can be found on Crave’s BLT sandwich."

"The Rabbinate hopes that Facon will end the confusion."

Jerusalem Kashrut Supervisors Force ‘Crave’ Restaurant to Rename Lamb Bacon Dish

March 12, 2021 from Jewish Press:

"The Religious Council of Jerusalem last December ordered the Crave gourmet street food restaurant on Ha’Shikma Street near the Mahane Yehuda Market to remove from its menu the dish it calls Lamb Bacon, or risk losing its certification, Ynet reported this week."

"A very long list of kosher restaurants in Israel serve some imitation bacon dish, including the Burger King chain. Kosher restaurants also serve cheeseburgers with imitation cheese. In Crave’s case, the lamb bacon is not merely a gastronomical curiosity, it happens to be one of this chef restaurant’s biggest attractions, appearing on the menu both as an appetizer and a side dish with the hamburgers."

"Yoni Van Leeuwen, one of the owners, told Ynet: 'Last December, while the restaurant—like most restaurants in the country—was doing deliveries to deal with the difficulties of the Corona, the inspector of the Kashrut supervisors showed up and said that he had learned that the restaurant uses the name ‘Bacon,’ and so that people won’t associate our kosher lamb bacon with pork, they decided that restaurants with a kosher certificate should not use that word.'"

"he same inspector suggested the restaurant name its dish Fakon, which the owner found insulting. Incidentally, the same inspector had nothing to say about Crave’s cheeseburger, which is made with non-dairy cheese."