To meet rapidly growing demand for Kosher-certified food products, Advanced Food Systems (AFS), Somerset, N.J., has developed a wide range of Kosher ingredient systems.

AFS specializes in developing custom systems such as coatings, breadings, and marinades that optimize texture, flavors and cost.  Most are available in Kosher versions.

Kosher food sales have been growing at twice the rate of the overall food market, expanding in the U.S. from $150 billion in 2003 to over $200 billion in 2008, according to Packaged Facts, New York, N.Y. Interestingly, the firm says this growth is not mainly attributable to growth in traditional or “ethnic” Kosher foods. Rather, much of the trend is driven consumers who are concerned about food safety. As the food supply chain continues to undergo scrutiny, such extra assurances of food safety can be of great value.

AFS says it has extensive experience in developing Kosher certified food ingredient systems, it manufactures these systems on controlled lines, and it assures that the ingredients are identified, stored, handled and packaged according to Kosher standards.

AFS works closely with Kosher certification agency KOF-K to ensure that all Kosher requirements are met.