Kosher Symbols -- Some Answers

April 5, 2001

Hi everyone!

I have never kept kosher myself, but I did some research last week

because of a problem I had with a food label that I was POSITIVE

couldn't have dairy products. Here's what I found.

There are different organizations that certify foods as Kosher and

some do it differently than others. I was looking at & Sons

Rice Snaps, which a K with the " D " marking on the outside. The

vegetable variety contains NOTHING that should contain dairy. So I

went to a Kosher website and was reminded that the company might mark

it with a " D " if it is on the same mfg line as dairy products ( " DE "

is sometimes used too). A food must be made on a *completely*

separate piece of equipment to be considered " safe " to have with

meat. If ANYTHING with dairy is mfg on that equipment it HAS to be

indicated as being dairy (or " contaminated " with dairy). For very

strict Kosher keeping, it can be almost as hard as GFCF, huh?!

Anyway, the way that I finally decided that the Rice Snaps, while

made on the same line as the Cheddar snaps, did not contain dairy in

and of itself. WHY???? Because if you also look, they are listed as

being VEGAN (not vegeterian). Any food that is VEGAN cannot contain

any dairy derivatives whatsoever (hence...soymage & tofutti vegan

slices are one of the only ones without casein because they are

marked as VEGAN.)

Anyway, the BEST bet is always to check with the manufacturer, but

don't be put off immediately by the " D " on a Kosher label...it may

not be what you think. And unfortunately for all of us, there are

VERY few foods that are completely free from cross contamination

issues.

Good luck and let me know if anyone has any questions about what I've

posted here.

-a - mom to Alec, 7 (nt) and Billy - 4 yo w/autism

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