by Norma Chew

Created on: September 16, 2008   Last Updated: May 15, 2012

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 the 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.

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