Why get certified?

Why get Certified?

Kosher describes any food that complies with a strict set of dietary rules in Judaism. Kosher diet rules are called kashrut. The rules cover which foods to eat, how to prepare them, and how to combine them.

Not all Jewish people observe the rules of kashrut by eating kosher food. For those who do, it is a way to show reverence to God and feel connected to their faith and their communities.

In Hebrew, “kosher” means fit or proper. Kosher food is any food fit for consumption by Jewish people.

The laws of kosher define which foods a person can and cannot eat, and also how they should produce and handle certain foods. The laws also state which combinations of foods people should avoid.

The Torah, the first part of the Jewish bible, lays the foundations of kosher dietary laws. Practicing Jews believe that following a kosher diet is God’s will.

What are the rules?

The rules of kosher define what a Jewish person is allowed to eat, how they must prepare certain foods, and what foods they are allowed to combine with other foods.

The laws divide foods into three categories:

• Meat, or fleishig: everything made from meat and poultry

• Dairy, or milching: milk, cheese, butter, and yogurt

Pareve: any foods that are neither meat nor dairy, including fish, eggs, and plant-based foods.

Separating meat and dairy

One of the most important rules of kosher is that a person should never eat meat and dairy together. In strict kosher kitchens, people use separate utensils for meat and dairy products, which are not washed in the same water, to avoid cross-contamination.

Combining meat and food also applies within the body. After eating meat, it is customary to wait until the next meal before eating dairy, and vice versa.

Certification

Buying kosher food can present many challenges, as many foods go through complex stages of production. Each stage should conform to kosher laws by eliminating cross-contamination with non-permitted foods.

Certification ensures that foods have met all requirements to be deemed kosher.

Certified food usually displays a label from one of several certifying organizations.

If food is certified for Passover, it will display a separate label.

Summary

Many Jewish people choose to eat a kosher diet as it helps them feel connected to their heritage, faith, and communities.

Despite its many restrictions, a kosher diet can offer lots of variety and nutritional balance.

Certification of kosher foods has helped make the process of buying kosher food simpler.