Kosher : What is Kosher?

The term “kosher” was adapted from a Hebrew word meaning “fit and proper.” It’s used to describe foods that are prepared in accordance with specific biblical Jewish dietary laws. Contrary to popular belief, food does not have to be blessed by a rabbi to be considered kosher. The production process simply has to be overseen to make sure non-kosher items are not used. However, unless a person visits every manufacturing plant, the average consumer would find it impossible to determine whether or not a given item is kosher. Therefore, the kosher symbol system was created to help consumers find products inspected by a reliable kosher certification agency.

Today, nearly 75% of all prepackaged foods carry some sort of kosher certification. Since kosher law requires complete segregation between meat and milk, products containing a dairy ingredient must bear a kosher symbol with the addition of the letter “D”. The absence of the letter “D”, or the use of the “Pareve” (neutral) designation, ensures that the product is free of any dairy presence.

Through the years, the kosher symbol has become internationally recognized by people of many races and religions as a guarantee that their dietary concerns have been met. People with specific health concerns, such as lactose intolerance, also rely on kosher products to avoid dangerous allergic reactions. In addition, many health conscious people are seeing the benefits of the quality control and lack of additives in kosher foods. These people include vegetarians, who look to kosher food for a variety of options that exclude meat, poultry, fish and dairy. The kosher symbol, with the monitoring and care it represents, stands for so much more than just dietary law to today’s consumers.

The Star-K hotline, (410) 484-4110, fields kashrut questions from callers around the world.