| Q: | I see so many different kosher symbols. How do we know what hechshers are accepted?
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| A: | There are over 400 different symbols from all over the world. The determination of which are acceptable has become a difficult task. We generally recommend the well known, not for profit, Orthodox organizational hashgachos which have a Vaad HaRabbonim who make the halachic decisions for their organizations. The organization that is most suitable to your standards should be discussed with your Rabbi.
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| Q: | Why do many products in the United States have an OU or other acceptable symbol on such products as cookies and granola bars, but the same brands are not under supervision in Canada?
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| A: | One of the main reasons for this is that the product is made by a different manufacturer who does not have kosher endorsement. A good example of this is the Kit Kat chocolate bar. Kit Kat in the United States is made by Hershey Foods Corporation, which has the Orthodox Union certification. Here in Canada, it is made by the Cadbury Schweppes group which does not have kosher endorsement for Kit Kat. The formula may be the same but the raw materials and sourcing of the ingredients may not. The glycerin used here would most probably be from an animal source whereas, the American kosher product would use glycerin from a kosher source.
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| Q: | Why can’t we just read the ingredients on a label and if nothing is treif, use that product?
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| A: | That’s not the whole story. As we mentioned before, the ingredients have to come from a kosher source and what about the equipment they are made on? The same product could be made on equipment which does not conform to halachic requirements.
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| Q: | Why are grape flavours not kosher?
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| A: | Many grape flavours are not truly artificial as listed. Besides the many other components which are used to make a grape flavour, which may not be kosher, e.g. ethyl oenanthate, the use of concentrated grape juice is common. Grape juice requires kosher supervision from the time the grapes are pressed.
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| Q: | I want to convert my kitchen to kosher. How do I go about it?
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| A: | The koshering process varies depending on how the kitchen utensils are used and how they became non kosher. It would be proper to contact your Rabbi to assess the given situation and/or you could call our office and we could help you.
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| Q: | I was told by a company that was taken off the kosher list that this happened because the rabbis were too busy to come to bless the company. Is this true?
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| A: | We “bless” the companies with hatzlocha once they have fulfilled the rigorous requirements of the certification process. The requirements include a thorough ingredient review which includes processing aids and an inspection of the plant. We make scheduled and unannounced inspection visits to the company to review their food processes and raw materials. There is a contractual agreement entered into between the company and the Kashruth Council along with a supervision fee. It is generally because of non-compliance with the requirements of the written agreement that a company is delisted. |
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| Q: | What are the numbers after the  symbol on labeled products?
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| A: | The numbers are our way of identifying a registered manufacturing facility. The without a number on a processed food will raise a question as to its authenticity. |
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| Q: | Canned Vegetables – why do they need a hechsher and canned fruit doesn’t?
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| A: | At present, canned fruit does not require a hechsher. This may change because more and more companies are using multiple product lines which could include meats and sea foods. Often, these products will share common processing lines and equipment. Canned fruit, at this time, is generally processed near or at the site of harvest and these companies only do fruit products. |
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| Q: | Do herbal teas require a hechsher?
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| A: | Many herbal teas contain natural and/or artificial flavours which require kosher certification. The terms “natural and artificial” are generally misunderstood by the consumer. These two words could mean that there are another 10-50 other ingredients included but are too long to list. In the flavour industry there are a number of non-kosher components which are hidden behind the term “natural and artificial” flavours and colours. |
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| Q: | Can I go to any bulk store and purchase bulk items such as raw peanuts, nuts, flour, cornmeal, etc.?
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| A: | ulk products can be purchased if they are items that do not require hashgacha and are kept in a clean, insect-free environment.
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| Q: | Are juices in tetra pack form all right to buy? Also, what about the canned fruit beverages like Delmonte?
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| A: | Tetra pack juices require kosher certification due to the issue of processing non-kosher products in the same equipment. This could be grape juice, Clamato or dairy products.
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| Q: | I was told that I could purchase sliced fish from York Fish Store or Fortinos as long as I see the signs of a kosher fish having scales and fins and I rinse the fish when I get home.
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| A: | It is always preferable to buy fish at a supervised fish market because then there would be no problem buying filleted or ground fish. Halacha tells us that a kosher fish must have fins and scales. In the absence of fins and scales how could you tell what kind of fish it is? What about the cutting and handling of the fish? If you are prepared and have the time to watch the fish processed from the removal of the scales and cutting it up with a clean knife, then “your” hashgacha will allow you to use the fish. It also will require you to wash the fish again at home. You should also be familiar with kosher scales. The kosher scales, cycloid and ctenoid, are the easily removable scales that do not tear the skin or flesh of the fish. The ganoid and placoid scales cannot be removed without tearing the skin and a fish with this variety of scales would not be kosher.
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| Q: | Do all seasonings and spices need a hechsher?
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| A: | Pure seasonings that do not have any mixtures of other ingredients such as spice oils or spice blends are generally OK. Any spice or seasoning from Israel requires proper kosher endorsement.
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| Q: | Some product labels state that there may be milk floating around in the air. Does this make the product dairy? What about disclaimers about allergens in the air?
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| A: | Some product labels state that there may be milk floating around in the air. Does this make the product dairy? What about disclaimers about allergens in the air?
A: According to halacha, dairy components floating in the air in parts per million, do not make a product dairy.
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| Q: | If I buy a generic product with a , will it always have a on the label?
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| A: | NO. Not all “Generic Products” are necessarily produced at kosher certified companies. The store brand name labels use manufacturing companies, some of which have kosher certification and others that do not. You cannot assume that all their products are kosher and you must look for the kosher endorsement each time you buy the product.
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