FAKE STUFF AT THE FARMER’S MARKET

First a disclaimer: The product about which we write today is a trefe product. Our outrage, however, is pointed at the fakery involved in marketing the product and not the product itself.

We subscribe to a lot of food magazines. Most of them are so-called trade magazines, meant for a limited number of specialized subscribers.

Recently we saw an ad for a company called THE HOUSE OF WEBSTER.

The House of Webster apparently makes all manner of fine products. Read what their ad says:

“Great selling products that will keep your customers coming back again and again. Our wild and native fruit butters, preserves, jellies and relishes are packed in Mason fruit jars with longhand style labeling. “

The ad also trumpets in large letters: “IDEAL FOR FARMERS MARKETS, Roadside Produce Stands, Country Stores and Retailers.”

Ok, granted, the products are not kosher, so we would not buy them. That is not the point. The point is that apparently the consumer is supposed to draw the conclusion that these products are so called “home made” by the stand owners, and not mass produced commercial products.

The Chafetz Chaim would have called that G’nayvat HaDat (theft of knowledge) or perhaps even Onaat Dvarim (over reaching). Either way, it is assur (forbidden).

We are outraged.
(RJR)