Kosher Certification: More Than Just a Label

Have you ever noticed a tiny “K,” “OU,” or “Star-K” on your favorite snacks? Those little symbols might seem easy to overlook, but they actually carry big meaning. They show that the product is kosher certified , following a detailed set of dietary laws that go back thousands of years. Today, however, Kosher Certification is valued by many people well beyond its religious roots. Understanding What Kosher Means In simple terms, kosher means “proper” or “fit to eat” under Jewish law. These dietary laws, called kashrut , explain which foods are allowed and how they must be prepared. For instance, pork and shellfish aren’t kosher, and meat and dairy must never be cooked or eaten together. Even the tools used to prepare these foods must be kept separate and cleaned according to strict rules. Because modern food production is so complex, most shoppers have no way to know if these rules were truly followed. That’s why Kosher Certification matters—it ensures an exper...