Cherry Hill deli faces state fine over use of 'Jewish' and 'kosher-style' terms

Well, a popular deli, the Kibbitz Room, is facing a $1,000 penalty from the state for not disclosing its food is not kosher. The owner says the accusation and the fine are not fair. Let's get right over to New Jersey correspondent Trish Hartman, who's live outside the deli in Cherry Hill. Trish, you spoke with the owner and patron. That's right, Christy. The operator of this deli says for him it's not really about the money. It's not about the fine. It's about the principle. He says for 25 years they haven't changed anything about how they run their family-owned Jewish-style deli, but the state says they need to be more clear about what's kosher and what's not. It's a typical lunch rush at the Kibbitz Room in Cherry Hill. We sell corned beef, pastrami. We hand-slice all-smoked fish. For 25 years, they've called themselves a New York-style Jewish deli. But the shop, known for giant sandwiches and their famous pickle bar, is now facing a $1,000 fine from the state, which says using the terms Jewish and kosher isn't exactly kosher. Because we have the Jewish cheesesteak, which is just our take on a cheesesteak, and we have kosher-style bologna and salami and hot dogs, which just entail that it's a beef product. There's no pork or anything else. Operator Brandon Parrish says they've never claimed to be a kosher deli, but according to the State Division of Consumer Affairs, if a non-kosher establishment uses terms like Jewish, Hebrew, or kosher style, they must also prominently display a notice that those products are not kosher. Parrish says he will likely put up a sign to comply with the state's regulations, but he also thinks they should focus more on facilities that claim to be kosher. They do have to watch their backs, you know, the kosher community, but I don't serve kosher people, so they should be leaving me alone, in my opinion. It seems bizarre to me. Regular customers say they love coming here for the food, and they're very aware that it's not kosher. There are some kosher places here, but people don't expect that when they come here. We did reach out to the state consumer division for comment. They said they're not going to comment on an ongoing enforcement situation. Parrish has a hearing with the state in a few weeks, and he says he does plan to appeal. For Live in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, Trish Hartman, Channel 6 Action News. Okay, Trish, thank you.