The word “Kashrut” ‘is derived from the Hebrew word ‘kosher’ and refers to the Jewish diet laws, it means: suitable or appropriate. But unlike common belief, kashrut is not about a kind of food, but about a system of food review according to Jewish ritual with a meaning that is determined by religious criteria pre-written in the Torah (Pentateuco). Those laws’ objective is to establish a practice that benefits the body and soul, to fulfill a physical and mental balance.

¿How to know if the food is Kosher?

Not many years ago, most food products where prepared in a kitchen or in a small factory of the community. It was relatively easy to know if the product was Kosher or not. Nowadays, industrialization, transcontinental shipping and mass production have created a situation in which most of the products are treated, processed, cooked, canned or packed in their country of origin. This is why it is practically impossible to deduce from the label, the ingredients or the process that was used. This is further illustrated by the following facts:

1. In general, a country’s laws do not demand a specific list of all the ingredients used; specially when they are used in small quantities.

2. The consumer doesn’t have a way to know if the ingredients that are mentioned in the label are derivative of animals or sources that aren’t Kosher.

3. Sometimes only general terms are used, like: ‘spices’ or ‘flavored’ that do not provide any information on those ingredients.