What is Kosher, and why is it important to use kosher symbols

as a guide when purchasing consumable products?

Kosher originally referred to that which was fit for Temple use. Today it refers

more specifically to that which fulfills the surface requirements (letter) of the

dietary law of Torah. This means that the product either comes from a vegetable

or fruit source, or if it comes from a meat source, that it comes from an animal

that is permitted by the Torah to be consumed.

It also means that the consumable product has not been processed with any non-

kosher products, or been cross contaminated with any non-kosher products.

The Kosher symbol identifies for the consumer the food products that have been

officially inspected, approved, and verified as being in compliance with this

standard.

What the kosher endorsement does not mean.

• It does not mean that a “rabbi” just went into a facility and prayed over it.

This is a comment made by those who are ignorant of the very in-depth and

detailed inspections and procedures involved in the kosher certification

process.

• It does not necessarily mean that it is healthy, it may contain hydrogenated

oils, high fructose corn syrup, msg, genetically modified ingredients and

other like ingredients because these ingredients are vegetable based or

from a kosher animal. To ensure a healthy product, this is where you would

combine the kosher certification label with an organic certification label.

Between these two labels you can ensure that the product complies both

with the basic requirements of the dietary laws of Scripture, and ensure

that they are minimally processed, and pesticide, chemical, and GMO free

(free of genetically engineered ingredients).

Below are Some Important Reasons why it is important and Necessary to Use Kosher Symbols in Identifying Products in the Marketplace that are Biblically Lawful for

Consumption. Data taken from the publications below.

In Consumables

• NATURAL FLAVORS

Can come from anything natural, from both animal and vegetable sources.

• CIVET

Comes from a CAT to provide sweet and sour flavors to foods, such as sour grape, sour

raspberry and sour apple, especially to desserts and candies, and is listed as a natural flavor.

• NATURAL COLOR

Can come from anything natural, from both animal and vegetable sources.

• CARMINE

Carmine comes from a crushed INSECT to provide red shades of color (anywhere from pink to

purple) to food, and is listed as a natural color.

• L-CYSTEINE

Originally came from HUMAN HAIR, but now also comes from PIG BRISTLES and HORSE HAIR as

well as other sources.

• ENZYMES

Like natural flavors, ENZYMES can come from anything, including from the stomach of a pig.

• SHELLAC

Shellac comes from an insect, and is often used on apples to make them shiny. For this reason I

do not eat shiny apples. If you have shiny apples, you may consider washing them very

thoroughly until the shine comes off, or better yet, peel the skin off of them before eating them,

or just throw them away.

• GLYCERIN

Can come from any source of fat, from both vegetable and animal fat.

• HAND, BODY & DISH SOAPS

Are all made of glycerin, so you need a kosher symbol to ensure that the glycerin is vegetable

based or from a kosher animal.

• ENVELOPE GLUE

This kind of glue comes mostly from pigs and horses.

• GELATIN

Gelatin comes almost exclusively from the hides and bones of pigs, which few exceptions.

• Vitamin D3

All Vitamin D3 comes from animal sources, so it is important that the kosher symbol is present

on any products containing Vitamin D3 which will indicate that the D3 came from lanolin

derived from sheep’s wool.

• VINYL

Made from acetylene with various other substances to form plastics.

• MUSK

A secretion derived from the sex glands of the Northern Asian Small Hornless Deer used in in

fruit, cherry, maple, mint, nut, black walnut, pecan, spice, and vanilla flavorings for beverages,

and in ice cream, flavored ices, candy, baked goods, gelatin desserts, pudding, and chewing

gum.

• OX BILE / OXGALL

An emulsifier used in dried egg whites that is derived from the fresh bile of castrated bovines.

• PEPSIN

An enzyme derived from the glandular layer of a hog's stomach.

• SPERM OIL

Obtained from the sperm whale and used as a releasing agent or lubricant in baking pans and as

a coating on fresh citrus fruits.

• UREA

A product of protein metabolism and excreted from human urine. Used in yeast food and wine

production. It is also used to brown baked goods, used in anti-septics, deodorants, ammoniated

dentrifices, hair colorings, hand creams, lotions, shampoos and mouth washes.

In Cosmetics

• MUSK AGAIN

A secretion derived from the sex glands of the Northern Asian Small Hornless Deer used in

colognes and perfumes,

• GELATIN AGAIN

• GLYCERINE AGAIN

• EMU OIL, MINK OIL, CRUSHED SILK WORM, OYSTERS, OSTRICH (Ostrea)

Some of the unclean creatures used in various cosmetic products.

• ENFLEURAGE

An essential oil processed with lard and used in perfumes.

• LARD

Derived from the abdomen of hogs and used as an emollient.

• EMU OIL, MINK OIL, CRUSHED SILK WORM, OYSTERS, OSTRICH (Ostrea)

Some of the unclean creatures used in various cosmetic products.

• ENFLEURAGE

An essential oil processed with lard and used in perfumes.

• LARD

Derived from the abdomen of hogs and used as an emollient.

A List of the Most Com

monly Recognize

d Koshe

r Symb

ols

(The Most

Common Ones

are Highlighted)

United States of America - Major Organizations

The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations 333 Seventh Avenue New York, New York 10001 (212) 563-4000 Fax - (212) 564-9058 Rabbi Menachem Genack, Rabbinic Administrator

The Organized Kashrus Laboratories 391 Troy Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11213 (718)756-7500 Fax - (718) 756-7503 Rabbi Don Yoel Levy, Kashrus Administrator

KOF-K Kosher Supervision 201 The Plaza, Teaneck, NJ 07666 (201) 837-0500 Fax - (201) 837-0126 Rabbi Ahron Felder, Director of Kosher Standards

United States of America - Alphabetical by State

Vaad Hakashrus of N CA, Kosher Food Council of Northern CA 2520 Warring St., Berkeley, California 94704 Rabbi L. Zirkind (510) 380-2295

1227 East Shepherd Ave, Fresno, CA, 93720 (559)-351-2222, Fax (559)-435-0554

Orange-K, Rabbinical Council of Orange County & Long Beach 3505 Lime Avenue, Long Beach, California 90807. Rabbi Binyomin Fejnland Tel/Fax: (562) 426-4894

THE HEART "K" Kehila Kosher, Igud Hakashrus of L.A. 186 N. Citrus Ave, Los Angeles, California. 90036 Rabbi Avraham Teichman 213-935-8383, 213-965-9020

Kosher Supervision of America P.O. Box 35721, Los Angeles, California 90035 Rabbi Binyomin Lisbon, Kashrus Administrator (310) 282-0444 Fax - (310) 282-0505

The "RCC" Community Kashrus Division of the Rabbinical Council of California Rabbi Nissim Davidi & Rabbi Avromon Union - Rabbinic Admin 617 South Olive St. #515,Los Angeles, California 90014 Phone: (213) 489-8080; Fax: (213) 489-8077

Vaad Hakashrus of Northern California Sacramento Rabbinical Council, Sacramento, California Rabbi Yaron Z. Buki (916) 267-1821

Sacramento Kosher Sacramento Rabbinical Council, Sacramento, California Rabbi Yaron Z. Buki (916) 267-1821

Vaad Kashruth Delaware Washington Blvd & Torah Way, Wilmington, DE 19802 Rabbi Steven Saks, Rav HaMachshir (302)762-2705, (302)762-3236 Fax

Tri-Sulom, Beis Medrash Kehilas Yaakov 295 S. Locust St, Denver, Colorado 80224 Rabbi Mordechai Twersky 303-377-1200, 303-355-6010

The Vaad Hakashrus of Denver 1350 Vrain Street, Denver, Colorado 80204 Rabbi Y Feldberger, Rabbinic Administrator

(303) 595-9349 Fax - (303) 629-5159

Florida K and Florida Kashrus Services 642 Green Meadow Avenue, Maitland, Florida 32751 Rabbi Sholom B. Dubov (407) 644-2500

Diamond K, Kosher Supervisory Srvc. 1425 SW 85th Ave, Miami, Florida 33144 Rabbi Zevulun Glixman 305-264-6488

Chai Kosher Consultation 22040 Montebello Dr Boca Raton, Florida Rabbi Yisroel FInman (305) 304-0290

KOSHER MIAMI, The Vaad HaKashrus of Miami-Dade PO Box 403225, Miami, FL 33140-1225 (786) 390-6620, Fax: (305) 437-8107

KOSHER DAIRY MIAMI (Non-Chalav Yisrael) The Vaad HaKashrus of Miami-Dade PO Box 403225, Miami, FL 33140-1225 (786) 390-6620, Fax: (305) 437-8107

Orthodox Rabbinical Board, South Palm Beach Vaad (ORB) 5840 Sterling Road #256, Hollywood, Florida 33021 Rabbi M. Spitz, Rabbi Weitz (305) 534-9499

Orthodox Rabbinate of Dade (ORD) 1870 NE 187th St North Miami Beach, FL 33179 (305) 931-6204

VAAD HARABONIM OF FLORIDA Orthodox Rabbinical Council of South Florida; Miami, Florida Rabbi Growner (305) 931-6204

Atlanta Kashruth Commission 1855 La Vista Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30329 Rabbi Ilan Feldman, Dean (404) 634-4063 Fax - (404) 320-7912

Chicago Rabbinical Council 3525 W. Peterson Avenue, Suite #315 Chicago, Illinois 60659 Rabbi Dovid Jenkins, Kashruth Administrator Phone: (773) 588-1600 Fax - (773) 588-2141

Mid-Atlantic Orthodox Rabbis 1401 Arcola Ave, Silver Spring, Maryland 20902 Rabbi Herzel Kranz 301-649-2799

Star-D 11 Warren Road Baltimore, Maryland 21208-5234 Rabbi Moshe Heinemann, Rabbinic Admin, Rabbi Boruch Beyer (410) 484-4110 Fax - (410) 653-9294

Star-K Kosher Certification 11 Warren Road Baltimore, Maryland 21208-5234 Rabbi Moshe Heinemann, Rabbinic Administrator (410) 484-4110 Fax - (410) 653-9294

New England Kashrus LeMehadrin 75 Wallingford Rd., Brighton, Massachusetts 02135 Rabbi Aaron Hamaoui 617-789-4343

Vaad Hakashrus of Massachusetts 177 Tremont Street Boston, Massachusetts 02111 Rabbi Abraham Halfinger, Rabbinic Administrator (617) 426-2139 Fax - (617) 426-6268

Vaad Hair of Worcester 95 Grand St., Worcester, Massachusetts 01610 Rabbi Reuven Fischer 508-752-0904, 508-799-7413

The "K-COR"Vaad Harabonim of Greater Detroit and Merkaz; Rabbi Beryl Broyde, Rabbi Joseph Krupnik Detroit, MIchigan (810) 559-5005

Blue Ribbon Kosher 2716 Kipling Avenue S, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55416 Rabbi Baruch Clein, Kashrus (612) 925-3651, (612)924-3734

Minnesota Kosher 2645 Kipling Avenue, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55426 (952) 922-0522

United Mehadrin Kosher (UMK) Rabbinic Administrator of Upper Midwest 1001 Prior Avenue South St. Paul, Minnesota 55116 Rabbi Asher Zeilingold (612) 690-2137, Phone: 651/698-8300 Fax: 651/690-1144

Vaad Hoeir of Saint Louis 4 Millstone Campus, St. Louis, Missouri 63146 Rabbi Sholom Rivkin, Chief Rabbi (314) 569-2770 Fax - (314) 569-2774

Congregation Shaarei Tefila Las Vegas, Nevada Rabbi Yaakov Wasser (702) 384-3565

Earth Kosher, International Kosher Agency 137 Midwood Rd, Teaneck, New Jersey 07666 Rabbi Zecharyah Tzvi Goldman Rabbi Zushe Blech

Jersey Shore Orthodox Rabbinate (J.S.O.R.) 230 Crosby Avenue, Deal, New Jersey 07723 Rabbi Yitzchak Farhi (732) 531-4872

BAIS DIN OF CROWN HEIGHTS Rabbi Dov Ber Levertov Brooklyn, New York (718) 774-7504

Rabbi Shlomo Stern (Debraciner Rav) 1641 56th Street, Brooklyn, New York 11204 (718) 853–9623

Kashruth of The Central Rabbinical Congress Rabbi Yidel Gruber Brooklyn, New York (718) 384-6765

Menora K POB 190048 Brooklyn, New York, 11219-0001 Rabbi Nachum Zvi Josephy (718) 854-8047

The "Sefer Torah-Kasher" The Vaad Harabbonim of Flatbush , Brooklyn, New York Rabbi Eli Skaist, Rabbinic Administrator (718) 951-8585

Sepharadic Rabbinical Council of America 2030 Ocean Pkwy, Brooklyn, New York 11223 718-376-0009 Rabbi Hananiah Elbaz

VAAD Vaad HaKashrus of the Five Towns 597A Willow Avenue, Cedarhurst, New York 11516 Rabbi Yosef Eisen, Rabbi Moshe Chait (516) 569-4536

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National Kashrut 101 Route 306 Monsey, New York 10952 Rabbi Yacov Lipshutz, President (914) 352-4448 Fax - (914) 356-9756

Rabbi M. Weissmandl (Rav of Nitra-Monsey) Monsey, New York

Igud Horobonim 3 West 16th St., 4th FL, New York, New York 10011 Rabbi Saul Eisner (212) 242 6420

K’hal Adath Jeshurun (Breuer’s) 85-93 Bennet Avenue, New York, New York 10033 Rav Zachariah Gelley, Rav (212) 923-3582 Fax - (212) 781-4275

Torah Union Kashrus Agency 575 Grand Street, Suite 204, New York, New York 10002 Rabbi Avraham Fishelis (212) 674 1502

Vaad Hakashrus of Buffalo, Inc POB 755, Williamsville, New York 14221 Rabbi Dovid Plaut 716-634-3990, 716-634-3990

Tri-State Kashruth, Vaad Hoer of Cincinnati 6446 Stover Avenue Cincinnati, Ohio 45237 Phone: Rabbi Yacov Toron, Rabbinic Administrator (513) 731-4671 Fax: (513) 531-5665

Vaad Hakashrus of Cleveland 1750 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44115 Rabbi Naftali Burnstein (216) 566-9200, (216) 861-1230

Orthodox Vaad of Philadelphia; 7505 Brookhaven Road, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19151 Rabbi Aaron Felder 215-545-2968; Rabbi Shlomo Caplan 215-473-0951 Rabbi Yehoshua Kagnaff 215-742-8521 Fax: 215-473-6220

Kosher Technical Konsultants 4537 Winding Brook Drive, Bensalem, Pennsylvania 19020-7805 Rabbi Alan Ira Silver, M.D. Tel: (215) 745.3773 Fax: (215) 725.3775

Vaad Hakashrut of Luzerne County 242 South Franklin Street,Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania 18701-1012 Rabbi Meir Rosenberg 570-825-6619, Fax - 570-825-6634

Vaad Hakashruth of Rhode Island 275 Camp St., Providence, Rhode Island 02906 Rabbi Chaim Marder 401-334-9393

Houston Kashruth Association P.O. Box 35225, Houston, Texas 77235 713-517-3990

Mehadrin Kashrus of Texas, Chabad Rabbi Shimon Lazaroff, Rav Hamachshir 10900 Fondren Road, Houston, Texas 77096 713-777-2000

The Texas K & International Kosher Supervision 351 East Price Street Suite #200 Keller Texas 76248 Rabbi Dovid Jenkins, Rabbinic Administrator (817) 337-4700 Phone - (817) 337-4901 Fax

Vaad Hakashrus of Dallas - THE "DK" 7900 Northaven Road, Dallas, Texas 75230 Rabbi David Shawl, Kashrus Admin Was Dallas Kashrut Council) (214) 750-8223 - Fax (214) 368-4709

Vaad Harabanim of Greater Seattle 5100 South Dawson Street, Suite #102 Seattle, Washington 98118-2100 David Grashin, Administrator (206) 760-2100 Fax - (206) 760-0905

Kosher Supervisors of Wisconsin 4900 W. Burleigh Rd., Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53210 Rabbi Benzion Twersky 414-873-8746, 414-873-8747 FX, 414-758-0195 (cell)

Israel

Rabbi Moshe Yehudah Leib Landau Rechov Yechezkel 3, Bnei Brak (9723) 618-2647

The Beis Din Tzedek of Agudas Israel Moetzes Hakashrus 2 Press St., P.O. Box 513, Jerusalem (9722) 538-4999 Rabbi Zvi Geffner

Chug Chasm SOfer 18 Maimon ST, POBox 426, Bnei Brak, 51273 {972-3} 618-8596 Rabbi Shmuel Eliezer Sternman

She-erit Yisrael 6 Rechov Chazon Ish, Bnei Brak {972-3} 579-8631 Rabbi Michael Hoffman

Glatt Kosher – Nevei Achiezer Rav Shlomo Mahpud, (03) 769-702 Rav Baruch Roshgold, (03) 797-172

Bais Din Tzedek of the Eida Hachareidis of Jerusalem 011-972-2-251-651

BELZ The Bais Din Tzdek of K’hal Machzikei Hadas 02-2-385-832 or 02-795-414

Rabbi Nuchem Efraim (Noam) & Teitelbaum (Volver Rav)

Canada

Calgary Rabbinical Council 1607 90th Ave SW, Calgary Alberta T2V 4V7 403-253-8600 Rabbi Moshe Shulman

Kashruth Council of Toronto 4600 Bathurst Street Suite #240 North York, Ontario M2R3V2 (416) 635-9550 Fax - (416) 635-8760 Rabbi Mordechai Levin, Executive Director

Orthodox Rabbinical Council of British Columbia 8080 Fancis Road, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada V6Y1A4 Rabbi Levy Teitlebaum Phone: (604) 275-0042 - Fax: (604) 277-2225

Montreal Vaad Hair 6333 Decarie Boulevard Suite #100 Montreal, H3W3E1 Canada (514) 270-2659 Fax - (514) 739-7024 Rabbi Peretz Jaffe Rabbinic Admin, Rabbi Saul Emanuel Exec Dir

France

Beth Din De Lyon et de la Region 34 Rue d’Armenie, 69003 Lyon 78-629-763 337-895-0947 69003 Rav Y. Teboul

Bureau De Certification Kosher Europeen 60 rue Jean Claude Vivant, 69100 Villeurbanne France 0033-04.79.88.39.82 Fax: 0033-04.79.35.52.42 Rabbi Daniel Alloun

Rabbinat Loubavitch De France 110 Bd. de Menilmontant 75020, Paris (3314) 033-8852; Fax: (3314) 315-0790. Rabbi Hillel Pewzner

Beth Din Zedek of Paris 17 Rue St. George, Paris 75009 ( F ) 3314-822-626 Rabbi David Messas

Rabbi SchlesigerS Strasbourg K KOSHER

Rabbi Mordechai Seckbach 1Place Golbery, 67000 Strasbourg 3388-603-618, 3388-612-786

Rabbi Mordechai Rottenberg, (Chief Orthodox Rav of Paris) 10 Rue Pavee, Paris 75004 (3314) 887-4903 Rabbi Mordechai Rottenberg

Adath Yereim of Paris 10 Rue Cadet, 9e, (Metro Cadet), Paris 75009 Rabbi Y.D. Frankfurte

Great Britain

The "MK" Manchester Beth Din MJCC Jubilee School, Bury Old Road, Manchester M7 4QY 061-740-9711 Rabbi Yehudoh Brodie, Administrator

The London Beth Din Court Chief Rabbi Rabbi Berel Berkowitz 01-387-4300

KEDASSIA Kedassia, The Joint Kashrus Committee of England 67 Amhurst Park, London, England 44181-800-6833

Machzikei Hadas Manchester 17 Northumberland St., Salford M7FH (44161) 792-1313 Rabbi M.M. Schneebalg

K’hal Machzikei Hadas Edgeware. 7 The Rise Edgeware, Middlesex Habbns (44208) 958-1030 Rabbi Eliezer Schneebalg

Dayan Osher Yaakov Westheim 15 Broom Lane, Salford M7 4EQ (44161) 740-9711 Mr. Yehuda Weiss

KIR – Badatz Igud Rabbonim 15 Broom Lane, Salford M7 4EQ +44 161 720 8598 Rabbi Danny Moore

KIR – Badatz Igud Rabbonim 15 Broom Lane, Salford M7 4EQ +44 161 720 8598 Rabbi Danny Moore

Hong-Kong

H.K.K. Kosher Certification Service of Hong Kong, Rabbi David Zadok Phone: (852) 2540-8661