Hebrew National facts for kids
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| Type | Kosher hot dogs |
|---|---|
| Owner | ConAgra Foods, Inc. |
| Introduced | 1905 |
| Tagline | We answer to a higher authority |
Hebrew National is a well-known brand that makes kosher hot dogs and sausages. Kosher means the food follows special Jewish dietary laws. The company is owned by ConAgra Foods. In 1982, Hebrew National started a separate company called National Deli that made non-kosher foods. This company was later sold in 2001 and is now based in Florida.
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The Story of Hebrew National
The Hebrew National Kosher Sausage Factory, Inc. began in 1905. It was located on East Broadway in Manhattan, New York City. The company was started by Theodore Krainin, who came from what is now Belarus. By 1921, the factory was officially checked by the United States government.
A writer named Alfred W. McCann praised Hebrew National in 1921. He said the company had "higher standards than the law requires." Hebrew National became popular among Jewish communities in New York City.
Changes in Ownership
In 1934, the company's ownership changed. Later, in 1937, Jacob Pinkowitz became an officer. The company was then bought by Isadore Pines, a Jewish Romanian immigrant and butcher. In 1935, Isadore's son, Leonard Pines, took over the business.
In 1965, Hebrew National created its famous slogan: We answer to a higher authority. This slogan refers to Jewish dietary laws. It also suggests that their products are of higher quality. This message appealed to both Jewish and non-Jewish customers.
In 1968, the Pines family sold Hebrew National to Riviana Foods. Then, in 1976, Colgate-Palmolive took over Riviana Foods. But in 1980, Isadore "Skip" Pines, Isadore's grandson, bought the company back. He bought it for much less than it was sold for before.
Sticking to Quality
In the 1980s, there was a growing interest in health food. This encouraged Hebrew National to keep its original recipe. They avoided using artificial colors or flavors. This choice helped the company succeed. With more money coming in, Hebrew National hoped to grow even bigger. They wanted to buy other brands to compete with larger food companies.
Hebrew National also tried to create a non-kosher brand called "National Deli." This idea was not as successful. In 1993, ConAgra Foods bought National Foods, which included Hebrew National. The National Deli brand was sold off in 2001. It is still in business today, operating from Miami, Florida.
Where Hebrew National Products Are Made
For many years, Hebrew National's main factory was in New York City. In 1989, the factory moved to Indianapolis, Indiana. Later, in 2004, the Indianapolis plant closed. All operations were moved to the ConAgra Foods Armour hot dog plant in Quincy, Michigan. This helped the company make its products more efficiently.
How Kosher Supervision Works
Most Hebrew National beef products are eaten by people who are not Jewish. For many years, Hebrew National had its own team to check if its products were kosher. However, some Orthodox Jews felt that Hebrew National's kosher standards were not strict enough. They preferred standards set by groups like the Orthodox Union. The Conservative movement also did not consider Hebrew National products kosher for a long time.
Improving Kosher Standards
In the early 2000s, Hebrew National changed its kosher supervision. They started working with an outside group called Triangle K. This change was seen as a big improvement in their kosher standards. In 2004, the Conservative movement agreed that the new standards were acceptable.
Rabbis from both groups worked together to make sure the products were consistently monitored. By having only one production factory, it became easier to check everything. A special viewing station was set up to watch each sausage as it moved through the factory. Rabbis now share the job of monitoring the products. This helps Hebrew National ensure their hot dogs are truly kosher.
However, some people have pointed out issues in places like baseball stadiums. Hebrew National hot dogs might be advertised as kosher, but they are sometimes cooked on the same grills as non-kosher hot dogs. They might also be served on dairy hot dog buns, which is not allowed for kosher meat meals. Despite the improvements, most Orthodox Jewish authorities still do not consider Hebrew National products to meet their strict kosher standards.
Hebrew National Products
Hebrew National makes many beef products. These include beef franks (hot dogs), salami, bologna, corned beef, pastrami, and knackwurst. The company stopped selling condiments in 2010.
