[net.legal] Organized crime in kosher food business?

wmartin@brl-tgr.ARPA (Will Martin ) (09/11/85)

I pulled the following comment out of a discussion of kosher meat on
net.religion.jewish. I have never heard of such a promlem or influence
before. Does anyone have any data to post on the extent of organized
crime involvement in this industry? Is it greater than the probably
inevitable organized crime involvement in EVERY industry?

In article <197@cord.UUCP> rib@cord.UUCP (RI Block) writes:
>
>2. The reliability (in terms of halacha) of the traditional kosher
>distribution chain is suspect.  Because kosher meat looks the same
>as non-kosher meat, constant surveilance by reliable (meaning
>shomer shabbat, etc.) individuals is required.  While there exist non-glatt
>markets of unimpeachable integrity, I have seen many where the
>proprietors and workers do not meet this standard.  There is, additionally,
>widespread suspicion of large-scale involvement by organized crime
>in the traditional kosher distribution chain.

I would be interested in comments on organized crime's effects on any
other legitimate businesses, also. For example, I recall once reading
that *every* source of mozzarella cheese is controlled by organized
crime -- thus they have a monopoly on that product. This seems unlikely --
every little cheese factory in Wisconsin is under the thumbs of the mob?
But maybe the source meant that all the *major* providers were in some way
controlled by or under the domination of organized crime? 

Comments on these and other related topics welcomed.

Will Martin

UUCP/USENET: seismo!brl-bmd!wmartin   or   ARPA/MILNET: wmartin@almsa-1.ARPA