5 Things to Consider When Shopping for Kosher Foods

Kosher means fit or suitable according to Jewish law, for instance kosher resorts are specifically designed to accommodate dietary requirements of kosher travelers . It can be used to refer to meat products, dairy products and wine or grape juice. You may also be familiar with kosher salt, which is used in cooking and baking because it’s less salty than regular table salt. In fact, the word kosher comes from the Hebrew language and it literally means “proper” or “fit”.

The world of kosher foods is often confusing to those who don't follow the rules. These are some things to keep in mind when you're looking for products that are certified kosher.

Ingredients

Kosher foods must meet certain standards for ingredients, depending on whether they are meat, dairy or pareve (neither meat nor dairy). While there is a list of ingredients that are definitely not kosher, it's also important to look at the packaging and/or product website to make sure there isn't any chance of cross-contamination.

Symbols

When you're shopping for kosher foods, it's important to understand what the various symbols mean so you know exactly what standard your food meets. The most common symbols include: OU (Orthodox Union), Kof-K (Kosher Supervision Service), Star K and OK Kosher Certification. However, this is not an exhaustive list. There are many third-party organizations that certify products as kosher so it's important to do research when you're looking for specific product types.

When it comes to checking if a product is kosher or not, the most obvious place to start is the label. There should be a “K” on the package, which will indicate that it has been certified as kosher by an appropriate authority. A “U” within a circle also indicates that a product has been certified as kosher by an appropriate authority.

Country of Origin

While most kosher products are made in North America, some may be imported from other countries around the world where production methods may not be as strictly supervised as they are here at home. If the product is imported, make sure it has a reliable kosher symbol on it so you know that it has been produced according to strict kosher standards no matter where it was produced.

Go Organic

Organic foods are not necessarily kosher, but they're usually healthier than other options because they contain less pesticides and other chemicals that can be harmful to your body over time. Keep in mind though that some organic items aren't always guaranteed 100% organic – such as honey, eggs and fruit juices -- so read labels carefully before buying anything!

Kashrut

Kosher means fit, proper, or correct and the word Kashrut refers to the laws of keeping kosher food. The Law of Kashrut was given to Moses on Mount Sinai written in the Torah. These laws are found in Leviticus and Deuteronomy and provide detailed instructions on how to keep kosher. Our body is a temple and we must keep it in good shape by only eating Kosher foods that are good for us. Keeping Kosher is not just a dietary law but also a way of life. Not just on a kosher holiday but all throughout your lives.