Food Products that are ‘Ecological’ and ‘Safe’ May Soon Qualify for ‘Orthodox Standard’ Certification

A representative from Russia’s Civic Chamber Alexander Slevak addressed a proposal to Patriarch Kirill to form a counsel, mainly consisting of clergymen, that would certify certain food products as “Orthodox.” Though Russian Orthodoxy does not prescribe dietary restrictions to believers, establishing a voluntary certification process would ensure a higher standard of food products for consumers said Slevak in a proposal widely circulated in the Russian online media. Alexander Slevak first proposed the voluntary certification to Kirill last October.

“Orthodox Standard” is already trademarked with Russia’s regulatory body Ros-Standard and the second, almost identical, proposal to the Patriarch on June 27th highlighted that Orthodox people need an analogy to kosher and halal food. No smoking, cursing or drinking alcohol would be allowed during the manufacturing process for “Orthodox Standard” products. Slevak said the new standard would help promote products made at Orthodox monasteries or by businesses with an “Orthodox” point of view. It is not stated how much the voluntary certification would cost manufacturers.