Gilberts, manufacturers of salt beef and other deli products including the iconic Bloom’s Viennas, has switched supervision from the Federation of Synagogues to the Manchester Beis Din, the JC understands.

So far the various parties are remaining tight-lipped over the move, which would be a significant gain for Manchester.

The Milton Keynes-based company is a major supplier of kosher foods to shops and supermarkets ranging from chopped liver to Mr Freed’s fishballs.

It is not clear yet when Manchester’s MK label will start appearing on its products.

Some Gilberts’ items also carry joint certification from the Sephardi Kashrut Authority.

Nine years ago, Gilberts shook up the kosher market when it left the London Board for Shechita to join a new Federation operation.

The LBS, which supervises butchers and other kosher meat providers, was a joint enterprise controlled by the United Synagogue, the Federation and the S and P Sephardi Community.

But the Federation launched a separate venture, believing it could attract more consumers from the growing Strictly Orthodox population.

The LBS was bitterly critical of the Federation at the time but the latter said the community should embrace “diversity and competition”.