The problem that I foresee is that it is today almost impossible to get a standard set of rules as to what is Kosher al pi Shulchan Oruch. If we start to add health, social, political, ethical etc etc. factors into the equation, we will ultimately end up with such a mess, that no one will know any longer whom to trust. In the end we could scare away potential chozrim biTeshuvah or cause even more at-risk situations.

FYI, not all “bug-free” brands are truly bug free. The Arab-owned עלי השרון, for example, is exceptionally buggy. The three brands I mentioned above are known to be the best (I recently heard that there were another one or two that are acceptable), and even those you have to clean properly.

I’m waiting for the day when a kashrut symbol will mean that, in addition to being technically kosher, the product is free of harmful food colorings, preservatives and other such chemicals (it’s maddening to see some of the unhealthiest junk food bearing some of the most “mehudar” hashgachot). And I’d like to know that the kashrut symbol on my meat means that it was raised and slaughtered without causing צער בעלי חיים and not just that the lungs are spotless.

The conservatives already take these and other considerations (such as proper treatment of workers) into account when giving their quasi-kosher “hashgacha.” How long will we be lagging behind in this area?