WHAT is KOSHER FOOD?

Food prepared in accordance with Jewish dietary laws is called kosher food.
Food not prepared in accordance to the Jewish dietary laws is called trief.

SO WHAT ARE THE JEWISH DIETARY LAWS?
According to About.com in an article written by Giora Shimoni.
These laws are derived from Biblical Laws and Rabbinical Extentions.
She further states the following eight rules that applies to the Jewish dietary laws.

1. Certain animals may not be eaten at all.
Only animals that are ruminant (chew its cud)and have split hooves may be eaten.

2. Of the animals that may be eaten, the birds and mammals must be slaughtered in accordance with the Jewish law.

3. Certain parts of permitted animals may not be eaten.

4. All blood must be drained from the meat or broiled out of it before it is eaten.

5. Meat the (flesh of birds and mammals) cannot be eaten with dairy.

6. Eggs, fruits, vegetables and grains are considered parve, and can be eaten with
either meat or dairy. Fish is also considered parve, but some kosher observant Jews
do not eat fish with meat.

7. Utensils that have come into contact with meat, (while hot) may not be used with dairy
and visa versa. Utensils that have come in contact with non-kosher food (while hot)may not be used with kosher food.

8. Grape products made by non-Jews may not be eaten.

KOSHER FOOD SYMBOLS
Kosher food has symbols that can be found on the food package.
These symbols represent a particular agency's certificate indicating that the food has been prepared and processed in accordance to the Jewish Dietary Laws.

SYMBOLS
The common kosher symbols found on kosher foods are:

U in the middle of a circle.

cRc in the middle of a triangle.

K in the middle of a triangle.

K in the middle of a star.

Kof-K symbol.

In addition a M, meat or glatt printed next to the symbol means the product is kosher and includes meat or some form of meat derivative.

Dairy, or D printed next to the symbol means the product is kosher and contains milk or milk derivative.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SYMBOLS
U in the middle of a circle:
This is the Orthodox Union symbol, the strictest Kosher certification standard in today's market. This agency started eighty years ago.
Companies that carry their symbol are Heinz Vegetarian Beans which was the first to carry this symbol back in 1923. Proctor and Gamble, Very Fine Products, General Mills, Kraft Foods and Coca Cola among others. Orthodox Union certifies over 2300 companies with 4500 plants in 70 countries.
This is the worlds most trusted Kosher symbol.

cRc in the middle of a triangle:
This is the Chicago Rabbinical Council symbol. This is a reputable universally accepted agency which goes back to 1930.

Kof-K symbol:
This New Jersey agency has been around for 40 years. It is the first agency to introduce computer technology to kosher supervision.

K in the middle of a triangle:
This is the certification of the Orthodox Jewish Rabbis.
This group works along side on an individual basis with their clients to create cost effective certification and supervision program. Some of their certified products are Sunny Delight, Hebrew National, Wonder Bread, Ocean Spray Cranberry Drinks, Motts and Mogen David Wine among others.

K in the middle of a star:
This is the symbol of the Baltimore based certification agency that provides global supervision. Star K is a leader in integrating complex food technology with kosher laws. This agency is known as the best in strictness and quality.

Check your pantry shelves for the products with kosher symbols and you will no doubt find that you have been enjoying kosher foods for a long time.
Look for the kosher symbols on food labels when you shop, if you want to eat kosher foods.

CATEGORIES OF KOSHER FOODS
There are three categories of kosher foods.
MEAT
As mentioned before a kosher animal must have split hooves and chew its cud, examples are, cow, goat and lamb.

DAIRY
Milk and milk products e.g. cheese, butter and cream from a kosher animal. As mentioned before these products cannot be eaten with meat or fowl.

PARVE
These products contain no meat or dairy. Examples are, all fruits, grains and vegetables in its natural state.

Kosher symbolizes purity, wholeness and truth. Strict dietary laws govern the preparation and processing of kosher foods.
Because of this and the increased awareness and focus on health and wellness and the effect our food intake have on our wellbeing.
Kosher food has become the fastest growing products in the food industry.

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