Every person of every creed, race, color and religion is welcome at the Olympics, correct? Well, Rabbi Levi Brackman writes in his column that the strict Chinese regulations on visas and on imports may prevent restaurateurs from making kosher food available at the Games, which make many feel unwelcome. Quoting Rabbi Moskowitz, of Shatz Kosher Services (SKS) who is in charge of importing kosher food into China, Brackman writes that due to the security restrictions on importing for obvious reasons, there is a severe shortage on Kosher food. These restrictions were not placed by China, however by the Olympic committee. “Without a special import permit and proper inspections it is impossible to bring liquid foods into China on food supply flights,” he said as an example. Trucks to bring in raw materials and special foods are in limited supply, and those that are available are strictly regulated to reduce air pollution prior to the Games. Not only the Chinese government, but also the Olympic committee itself is causing problems, said Rabbi Moskowitz. “Even rabbis who handle kosher supervision and can make [existing] foods currently sold in markets kosher cannot get a visa to China due to Olympics-related security reasons, which have made the criteria tougher,” he said.
As of now, there are plans for two kosher restaurants being prepared for the world event, however they may not be enough. There are plans for Rabbi Moskowitz’s attorney to appeal to the Chinese authorities to relax the restrictions for Kashrut.
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