KOSHER INFORMATION
The symbols on the Va’ad list below are all widely-accepted kosher certifications commonly found on products throughout the United States. With a little practice, it is very easy to spot these marks on food labels, usually near the product name, occasionally near the list of ingredients. There are many other certifications available, of varying degrees of strictness.
The most controversial certification is the K, a plain letter K found on products asserted to be kosher. All other kosher certification marks are trademarked and cannot be used without the permission of the certifying organization. The certifying organization stands behind the kashrut of the product. But you cannot trademark a letter of the alphabet, so any manufacturer can put a K on a product. For example, Jell-O brand gelatin puts a K on its product, even though every reliable Orthodox authority agrees that Jell-O is not kosher.
It is becoming increasingly common for kosher certifying organizations to indicate whether the product is fleishig, milchig or pareve. If the product is dairy, it will frequently have a D or the word Dairy next to the kashrut symbol. If it is meat, the word Meat or an M may appear near the symbol. If it is pareve, the word Pareve (or Parev) may appear near the symbol (Not a P! That means kosher for Passover!). If no such clarification appears, you should read the ingredient list carefully to determine whether the product is meat, dairy or pareve.
List of Va’ad Approved Kosher Symbols
There are hundreds of kosher certifications (hechsherim) in the marketplace today. We have chosen those commonly encountered and broadly considered reliable.
Va’ad HaRabanim of Greater Seattle
Oregon Kosher
The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations
The Organized Kashrut Laboratories
Chicago Rabbinical Council
Star-K-Kosher Certification
Certification Star-D
Kof-K Supervision
Kosher Supervision of America (KSA)
Kehilla Kosher
Vaad HaKashrut of Northern California
Rabbinical Council of California (RCC)
Dallas Kosher Scroll K
Scroll K
Vaad Hakashruth Of Kansas City
Atlanta Kashruth Commission
Vaad HaKashrut of Miami-Dade
Vaad HaRabanim of Greater Washington (DC)
Florida-K
Community Kashrut of Greater Philadelphia
Va’ad HaKashrut of the Five Towns and Far Rockaway
Kashrus Council of Lakewood, NJ
EarthKosher Certification Agency
CANADA
Orthodox Rabbinical Council of British Columbia Kashruth Council of Canada
Montreal Va’ad Hair
Kashruth Council of Canada
AUSTRALIA
Kosher Australia
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CHECKING PRODUCE FOR INSECTS
SEATTLE-VAAD-PRODUCE-INSPECTION-GUIDE-NEW as of 2017
NOTE:
Left Column – Conventional Method Used Generally for Home Use
Right Column – Filtration Method for Certified Commercial Establishments and Facilities
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