kosher symbols
This is a great pragram offered by the Jewish for us. The easiest way to shop is to only buy Kosher items, it's a guarantee that you won't eat any unclean animal or animal-derived ingredient. But, most butcher departments don;t have Rabbis on staff. Although most employees will help you make a selection. Almost all non-meat items will have the Kosher items marked with a Kosher symbol.
clean & unclean meats
Clean Land Animals
Antelope - Buffalo - Caribou - Cattle (Beef, Veal) - Deer - Elk - Gazelle - Giraffe - Goat - Hart - Ibex - Moose - Ox - Reindeer - Sheep
Clean Birds
Chicken - Dove - Duck - Goose - Grouse - Guinea fowl - Partridge - Peafowl - Pheasant - Pigeon - Prairie chicken - Ptarmigan - Quail - Sagehen - Sparrow (plus any other songbirds) - Swan - Teal - Turkey
Insects
Clean insects include types of locusts that may include crickets and grasshoppers
Clean Fish
Albacore (Crevalle, Horse Mackerel, Jack) - Alewives (Branch, River Herring) - Anchovy - Barracuda - Bass - Black Drum - Black Pomfret (Monchong) - Blue Runner (Hardtail) - Bluebacks (Glut Herrings) - Bluebill Sunfish - Bluefish - Bluegill - Bonitos - Bowfin - Buffalofish - Carp - Chubs (Bloater, Longjaw, Blackfin) - Cod - Common Sucker (Fresh Water Mullet, White Sucker) - Crappie (Black or White Crappies)
Clean Fish
Drum - Flounder (Dab, Gray, Lemon Sole, Summer - Grouper (Black, Nassau, Red, or Yellowfish Grouper, Gag) - Grunt (White / Yellow Grunts) - Gulf Pike (Robalo, Snook, Sergeant) - Haddock - Hake - Halibut - Hardhead - Hardtail (Blue Runner) - Herring (Alewife, Branch, Glut. Lake, River, Sea Herrings)
Kingfish - Long Nose Sucker (Northern or Red Striped Sucker) - Mackerel (Cobia) - Mahimahi (Dorado, Dolphinfish) - Menhaden - Minnow - Mullet - Muskellunge (Jacks) - Orange Roughy - Perch (Bream) - Pig Fish - Pike (Pickerel, Jack) - Pollack (Pollock, Boston Bluefish) - Pompano - Porgy (Scup)
Red Drum (Redfish) - Red Horse Sucker (Redfin) - Red Snapper - Redfish - Robalo (Gulf Pike) - Rockfish - Salmon (Chum, Coho, King, Pink or Red) - Sardine (Pilchard) - Scup (Porgy) - Sea Bass - Sergeant Fish (Gulf Pike) - Shad - Sheepshead - Silver Hake (Whiting) - Silversides - Smelt - Snapper - Snook (Gulf Pike) - Sole - Spanish Mackerel - Steelhead - Striped Bass - Sucker (Red Horse Sucker, Redfin) - Sunfish
Tarpon - Trout (Gray Sea, Lake, Sand Sea, White Sea, Spotted Sea Trouts, Weakfish) - Tuna - Turbot (all except European variety) - Whitefish - Whiting (Silver Hake) - Winter Flounder, Yellow Tail - Yellow Perch
MEATS THAT ARE NOT GOOD TO EAT
Unclean Land Animals
Armadillo - Ass - Badger - Bear - Beaver - Boar - Camel - Cat - Cheetah - Coyote - Dog - Donkey - Elephant - Fox - Gorilla - Groundhog - Hare - Hippopotamus - Horse - Hyena
Jackal - Kangaroo - Leopard - Lion - Llama (alpaca, vicuña) - Mole - Monkey - Mouse - Mule - Muskrat - Onager - Opossum - Panther - Peccary - Pig (hog, bacon, ham, lard, pork) - Porcupine
Rabbit - Raccoon - Rat - Rhinoceros - Skunk - Slug - Snail (escargot) - Squirrel - Tiger - Wallaby - Weasel - Wolf - Wolverine - Worm - Zebra
Unclean Birds
Albatross - Bat - Bittern - Buzzard - Condor - Coot - Cormorant - Crane - Crow - Cuckoo - Eagle - Flamingo - Grebe - Grosbeak - Gull - Hawk - Heron - Kite - Lapwing - Loon - Magpie
Osprey - Ostrich - Owl - Parrot - Pelican - Penguin - Plover - Rail - Raven - Roadrunner- Sandpiper - Seagull - Stork - Swallow - Swift - Vulture - Water Hen - Woodpecker
Unclean Insects
All insects except some in the locust family should not be consumed.
Reptiles and Amphibians
Alligator - Blindworm - Caiman - Crocodile - Frogs - Lizard - Newts - Salamanders - Snakes - Toads - Turtles
Unclean Fish and Marine Animals
Abalone - Bullhead - Catfish - Clam - Crab - Crayfish - Cuttlefish - Dolphin - Eel - European Turbot - Jellyfish - Limpet - Lobsters - Marlin - Mussels
Octopus - Otter - Oysters - Paddlefish - Porpoise - Prawn - Scallop - Seal - Shark - Shrimp - Squid (calamari) - Stickleback - Sturgeon - Swordfish - Walrus - Whale
hidden unclean ingredients
From www.kosherquest.com additives
INGREDIENTS & ADDITIVES (many listed simply Natural Flavoring)
Acetic Acid – found in plant juices, milk, oil petroleum and sometimes muscles. It is the final product of many aerobic fermentations. When it is from petroleum, it is kosher, pareve with supervision.
Agar Agar - Source: seaweed. Use: a substitute for gelatin (cream and in confectionery items). Kosher, pareve without supervision.
Albumin - Sources: blood (serum albumin), milk (dairy), eggs. Use: coagulant and stiffener in baked goods. Requires supervision. Alginate - Source: seaweed. Forms: calcium alginate, alginic acid, sodium alginate, propylene glycol aginate. Uses: thickening and stabilizing agent in pastry, jelly, ice cream, cheese, candy, yogurt, canned frosting, whipped cream, and beer. Kosher, pareve without supervision. Alginic Acid - see alginate. Alpha Amylase - Source: hog pancreas. Use: in flour to breakdown any starches. Not kosher. Alum Aluminum Sulfate - Source: earth. Also known as cake alum or patent alum. Use: clarifying oils and fats. Kosher, pareve without supervision. Ambergris - Source: whale intestine. Use: flavoring (also used in perfume). Not kosher. Anise - Source: fruit of an herb (in the parsley family). Use: flavoring foods in beverages. Kosher, pareve without supervision. Argol - Source: sediment in wine casks during fermentation and storage. Use: in the manufacture of tartaric acid and vinegar from malt. See also cream of tartar and tartaric acid. Ascorbic Acid (vitamin c) - Source: synthetic or corn. Use: nutrient. Kosher, pareve without supervision. Ascorbate Palmitate - Source: synthetic and palm oil. Use: preservative. Kosher, pareve without supervision. Benzoic Acid - Source: synthetic. Use: preservative. Kosher, pareve without supervision. BHA (Butylated Hydroxanisole) - Source: synthetic. Use: as an antioxidant in cereals, stabilizers, shortenings, and potato flakes and granules. Kosher, pareve without supervision when found in corn oil. BHT (Butylated Hydroxtoluene) - Source: synthetic. Use: as an antioxidant in beverages, desserts, cereals, glazed fruits, dry mixes for beverages, and potato flakes and granules. Kosher, pareve without supervision when found in corn oil. Calcium Alginate - see Alginate. Calcium Carbonate - Source: limestone. Use: tooth powder and in removing acidity of wine. Kosher, pareve without supervision. Calcium Chloride - Source: synthetic. Use: in canned goods and in cottage and cheddar cheeses as a preservative. Kosher, pareve without supervision. Calcium Citrate - see Citric Acid. Calcium Disodium (EDTA) - Source: synthetic. Use: flavor retention in canned soda and canned white potatoes; as a preservative in dressings, egg products, oleomargarine, potato salad, lima beans, mushrooms, pecan pie filling, and spreads. Kosher, pareve without supervision. Calcium Propionate - Source: synthetic. Use: preservative. Kosher, supervision preferred. Calcium Stearate - Source: a compound of calcium and stearic acid.
(Important: see Stearic Acid) Use: anti-caking ingredient in some spices (especially garlic salt and onion salt) and extensively in tablets. Requires Kosher supervision. Calcium Sorbate - Source: synthetic. Use: preservative. Kosher, pareve without supervision. Calcium Sterol Lactylate - Source: milk or soybeans. Use: instant mashed potatoes. Requires Kosher supervision. Calcium Stearoyl Lactylate - Source: chemical reaction of stearic acid and lactic acid. Use: as a dough conditioner, whipping agent and as a conditioner in dehydrated potatoes. Requires Kosher supervision. Caprylic Acid - Sources: palm oil, coconut oil. Use: preservative and flavoring. Kosher, pareve without supervision. Carbon Black - Source: synthetic. Use: black coloring in confectionery. Requires Kosher supervision. Carmine/ Red 4 (Cochineal) Source: insect. A crimson pigment derived from a Mexican species of scale insect (coccus cacti). Use: coloring in red apple sauce, fruit cocktail, Jams, confections, baked goods, meats, and spices. Not Kosher. Carrageenan - Sources: seaweed and fresh moss. Use: as a substitute for gelatin (an emulsifier, stabilizer, and food thickener). Kosher, pareve without supervision. Caramel - Source: sugar or glucose. Use: coloring foods, beverages, and confectionery items. Kosher, pareve without supervision. Casein - Source: milk, hence dairy. Uses: stabilizer for confectionery, texturizer for ice cream and sherbets, or as a replacement for egg albumin. Because it is precipitated by acid or by animal or vegetable enzymes, requires Kosher supervision. Catalase - Source: cow liver. Use: coagulant. Requires Kosher supervision. Cholic Acid - Source: animal bile. Use: emulsitier in dried egg whites. Requires Kosher supervision. Choline Bitartrate - Source: animal tissue. Use: nutrient (B-complex vitamin). Requires Kosher supervision. Citric Acid - Sources: fruits and vegetables, molasses and grain. Use: antioxidant, sugar solubitizing in ice cream and sherbet, fruit juice drinks, and canned and jarred produts, including jelly, cheese, candy, carbonated beverges, instant potatoes, wheat, chips, potato sticks, wine. Kosher, pareve without supervision. Civet Absolute/Castoreum- Source: Civet cats anal glands. . Use: flavoring for beverages, ice cream, ices, candy, baked goods and chewing gum. Not Kosher. Cocoa Butter - Source: cocoa bean. Use: chocolate coatings. Kosher, pareve without supervision. Coconut Oil - Source: coconut. Use: In the manufacture of edible fats, chocolate, and candies; in baking in place of lard. Requires supervision (see Oil). Confectionery Glaze - See Resinous Glaze and Shellac. Corn Starch -Source: Corn. Kosher pareve without supervision. Cream of Tartar (Tartaric Acid) - Source: argol, the stony sediment of wine casks. Once the liquid residue has been removed from the argols by aging one year and drying, the argols are permissible. Use: in a variety of confections and in the preparation of baked goods. Cysteine. L form - Source: an Amino Acid, human and horse, or synthetic (sometimes from deceased women). Use: nutrient in bakery products
Dextrin - Source: starch. Use: prevents caking of sugar in candy, encapsulates flavor oils in powdered mixes, thickener. Kosher, pareve without supervision. Dextrose (corn syrup) - Source: starch. Use: sweetener, coloring agent in beverages, ice cream, candy and baked goods. Kosher, pareve without supervision. Dilauryl Thiodiproprionate - Source: synthetic. Use: preservative. Kosher, pareve without supervision. Dough Conditioners - Source: calcium stearoyl-2-Lactylate, or animal fat. Use: to improve the texture of bread. Often it will contain mono and diglycerides. Requires supervision. Emulsifiers - Source: fats (animal or vegetable, synthetic.) Use: binding oils and water, thickening, a preservative in baked goods, reducing ice crystals and air bubbles in ice cream. Requires kosher supervision. Erythrobic Acid - Source: synthetic. Use: preservative. Kosher, pareve without supervision. Eschalots (shallot) - Source: an onion-like plant. Bulbs used like garlic for flavoring. Kosher, pareve without supervision. Ethyl Vanillin - Source: synthetic, bark of spruce tree, or wine alcohol. Use: as a flavor instead of vanilla or to fortify it. Kosher, requires supervision. Fats - Source: animal or vegetable. Substances that are solid at room temperature are fats; those that are liquid at room temperature are oils. Requires kosher supervision. Fatty Acids - Source: animal or vegetable fats. Use: emulsifiers, binder, lubricants. Requires kosher supervision. Filberts - Source: a type of hazelnut; when raw or dry roasted, Kosher, pareve without supervision. Gelatin – usually derived from pork or bovine. Can be processed from fish. Requires kosher supervision Glucose - Source: fruits and other plants such as potatoes and corn (see dextrose). Use: sweetener, coloring agent. Kosher, pareve without supervision. Glyceride - Source: see mono- and diglycerides. Glycine - source: gelatin, animal or vegetable oil, sometimes used in cereals. Also as a flavor enhancer. Requires kosher supervision. Glycerol Monostearate - Source: glycerol monostearate may be of animal origin. Requires kosher supervision. Glycerine - Source: beef fat, petroleum, or vegetable. Use: as a solvent or humectant (maintains the desired level of moisture). Requires kosher supervision. Gum Arabic, Gum Acacia - Source: trees. Use: thickening agent, emulsifier, stabilizer. Kosher, pareve without supervision. Gum Base - Source: trees (chicle, natural rubber, etc.) synthetic butyl rubber, paraffin, polyethylene, vinyl, resin, glycerin, glycerol monostearate. Use: in the manufacture of chewing gums. Requires kosher supervision.. Gum Guaiac - Source: trees. Use: antioxidants. Kosher, pareve without supervision. Guar Gum - Source: plants. Use: extender for pectin, stabilizer and thickener for spreads, syrups, sauces, salad dressing and licorice. Kosher, pareve without supervision. Gum Tragacanth - Source: shrubs. Use: thickening agent. Herb derived from green leaves or herbaceous part of the plant , Kosher
Invert Sugar (inversol nulomoline colorose) - Source: cane sugar. Use: sweetener. Kosher, pareve without supervision. Invertase (invertin) - Source: yeast. Use: preparation of invert sugar from sucrose. Kosher, pareve without supervision. Lactic Acid - Sources: molasses, corn starch, glucose, molasses. Use: preservative, flavoring. (Lactic acid can also be produced from whey, in which case it is dairy, but its use is restricted to ice cream and cream cheese). Kosher, pareve without supervision. Lactose (milk sugar) - Source: whey. Use: sweetener, humectant, and nutrient. Kosher, dairy without supervision. Lauric Fats - Source: coconut, palm oil. Use: with or instead of cocoa butter. Kosher, pareve without supervision. Lecithin - Source: soybeans, corn oil. Use: emulsifier and preservative, especially in chocolate. Kosher, pareve without supervision. Lipids - Source: animal or vegetable fats. Use: shortening, flavoring, thickener. Requires kosher supervision. Lactalbumin - see Albumin. Lysine, L and DL Forms - Sources: casein, fibrin, blood. Usually synthesized. Requires kosher supervision. Magnesium Stearate - Source: stearic acid. From tallow, vegetable oils or synthetic. Use: anti-caking agent. Requires kosher supervision. Malt Syrup - Source: malt and barley. Use: emulsifier and starch dissolving. Mannitol - Source: fungi. Use: sweetener. Kosher, pareve without supervision. Methylparaben - Source: synthetic. Use: preservative. Kosher, pareve without supervision Methyl P Hydroxy Benzoate - see Methylparaben. Mono - and Diglycerides - Source: animal and vegetable. Use: stabilizer, emulsifier, softener, preservative. Most are animal products. Mono- and diglycerides do not necessarily have to be listed in the ingredients. Requires kosher supervision. Monosodium Glutamate - Source: sugar, plants, beets and corn. Use: flavor enhancer. Kosher, pareve without supervision. Musk - Source: deer glands, synthetic. Use: in flavorings for beverages, ice cream, candy, baked goods, and chewing gum. Now usually it is produced synthetically. Kosher supervision required. Natural fruit flavors (natural flavoring) - concentrated under vacuum or freeze dried. Concentrated fruit pulp that is used in confectionery usually requires fortification with some synthetic flavor. Can contain grape juice, as well as many other non-kosher substances. Requires kosher supervision. Oil of Lemon - Source: lemon peel. Kosher, pareve, without supervision. Oil of Rose - Source: distilled from fresh rose petals. Comes mostly from Bulgarian Damask rose. Kosher, pareve without supervision. Oil of Caraway - Source: seeds of Carum Carui. Grown in Holland and Central to Southern Europe. Flavoring for chocolate and coatings. Kosher, pareve without supervision. Oil of Cardamon (grains of paradise) - Source: Alleppy Cardamon, trees from India. Use: enhance the flavor of ground coffee, butter, chocolate, liquor, spice and vanilla flavoring. Kosher, pareve without supervision. Oil of Cassia (Cassia Bark) - Source: leaves and twigs of the Chinese Cinnamon. Use: for cocoa flavor in biscuits, cakes, ice cream and Kosher
Oil of Celery - Source: celery plant. It comes primarily from France. Use: usually as flavoring for cocoa, chocolate, and other confections. Kosher, pareve without supervision. Oil of Cinnamon - Source: under the bark of the Cinnamonum Zeylanicum tree. Found in Seychelles and Ceylon. Use: to enhance fruit flavorings. Kosher, parve without supervision. Oil of Peppermint - Source: dried plant leaves. Use: flavoring. Kosher, pareve without supervision. Oleic Acid - Source: fats and oils (animal or vegetable). Use: defoaming, flavoring. Requires Kosher supervision. Oxysterins - Source: Glycerides, stearic acid. Use: prevents oil from clouding. Requires Kosher supervision. Ox Bile - Source: ox bile. Use: preservative and emulsifier in dried egg whites. Requires Kosher supervision. Ox Gall - see Ox Bile. Pepper Cream - Source: herb. Use: spice. Requires di-glycerides or other emulsifiers to mix. Kosher, pareve, requires Kosher supervision. Pepsin - Source: enzyme, usually extracted from hog stomachs, but can be synthetic. Use: coagulant in cheese. Can be produced from kosher animals. Requires Kosher supervision. Polyglycerol Esters of Fatty Acids - Source: fats and oils, animal or vegetable. Requires Kosher supervision. Polysorbate 60, 65, 80 - Source: stearic acid (also called Tween). Use: emulsifiers, especially in “non-dairy” products. Requires Kosher supervision. Potassium Bi sulfite - Source: synthetic. Use: preservative. Kosher, pareve without supervision. Potassium Caseinate - Source: milk. Use: stabilizer and texturizer. Requires Kosher supervision. Potassium Metabisulfite - Source: synthetic. Use: preservative. Kosher, pareve without supervision. Potassium Sorbate - Source: berries or synthetic. Use: preservative. Kosher, pareve without supervision. Propionic Acid - Source: synthetic or may be made from cheese. Use: mold inhibitor, preservative. Requires Kosher supervision. Propyl Gallate - Source: synthetic or from nuts produced by insects. Use: preservative. Requires Kosher supervision. Proplyene Glycol (Alginate) - Source: synthetic. Use: emulsifier, stabilizer, solvent. Kosher, pareve without supervision. Propylparaben - Source: synthetic. Use: preservative. Kosher, pareve without supervision. Release Agents - Source: oils, mineral oil, mono-glycerides or synthetic. Use: keeps heated foods from sticking to equipment, utensils, and packaging. These need not be listed in the ingredients. Requires Kosher supervision. Resinous Glaze - Source: insect secretion. Use: coating candies and pills. While there are authorities who permit these glazes on the grounds that they are non-edible, there are other authorities who forbid them. Rennet - Source: animal enzymes. Derived from the lining membranes of the stomach of suckling calves. Use: coagulant and curdling agent especially in cheese and other dairy products. A vegetable enzyme similar to rennet is available as a substitute, but even if it is used, supervision is required. Hard cheese made by gentiles without constant supervision, even if made with completely Kosher ingredients, is not Kosher. (see cheese article). Requires Kosher supervision
Rennin - see Rennet. Serum Albumin - Source: blood. See Albumin. Not kosher. Shellac - Source: secretion from Kerria Lacca insects. Use: Smoothies, Frappuccino’s fruit coating, glaze for confectionery products and in chocolate panning. See Resinous Glazes. Shortenings - Source: oil. Use: to make baked goods light and flaky. Factories often make both animal and vegetable shortenings on the same equipment. Requires Kosher supervision. Sodium Alginate - Source: seaweed or kelp. Use: as a stabilizer. Kosher, pareve without supervision. Sodium Ascorbate - Source: synthetic. Use: preservative. Kosher, pareve without supervision. Sodium Benzoate - Source: synthetic origin. Use: preservative. Kosher, pareve without supervision. Sodium Bisulfite - Source: synthetic. Use: preservative. Kosher, pareve without supervision. Sodium Caseinate - Source: milk and cheese. Use: texturizer in “non-dairy” creamers and instant mashed potatoes. Kosher, dairy. Requires Kosher supervision. Sodium Citrate - Source: synthetic. Use: emulsifier and buffer in processed produce. Kosher, pareve without supervision. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate - Source: synthetic. Use: detergent, whipping agent, an emulsifier (in egg products) and surfactant (in beverages). Kosher, pareve without supervision. Sodium Meta Bisulfate - Source: synthetic. Use: preservative. Kosher, pareve without supervision. Sodium Propionate - Source: synthetic origin or rarely it is made from cheese. Use: mold preventative. Kosher, supervision preferred. Sodium Nitrate - Source: synthetic. Use: preservative. Kosher, pareve without supervision. Sodium Sorbate - Source: synthetic or from corn. Use: preservative. Kosher, pareve without supervision. Sodium Sulfite - Source: synthetic. Use: preservative. Kosher, pareve without supervision. Softeners - Source: animal or vegetable. Use: in chewing gum. Requires Kosher supervision. Sorbic Acid - Source: berries, corn or synthetic. Use: mold inhibitor. Kosher, pareve without supervision. Sorbitan Monostearate - Source: Stearic acid. Use: emulsifier, defoamer, flavor disperser. Requires Kosher supervision. Span - see Polysorbate. Spearmint Oil - Source: the herb mentha viriais. Use: primarily as flavoring in chewing gum. Kosher, pareve without supervision. Sperm oil - Source: whale. Use: release agent and lubricant in baking pans. Not kosher. Spices - Source: dried vegetable product derived from any part of the plant, whether rot, stem, bark, fruit, bud or seed. Kosher, without supervision. Stannous Chloride - Source: synthetic. Use: preservative. Kosher, pareve without supervision. Stearic Acid - Source: animal or vegetable oil. Use: in butter and vanilla flavoring, softener in chewing gum. Requires Kosher supervision. Stearyl Lactylic Acid - Source: fats and oils. Use: emulsifier. Requires Kosher supervision
Sulfur Dioxide - Source: synthetic gas. Use: preservative. Kosher, pareve without supervision. Tartaric Acid - see Cream of Tartar. Tween and Span - see Polysorbate. Thiodipropionic Acid - Source: synthetic. Use: preservative, or from cheese. Kosher, requires Kosher supervision. Tocopherols - Source: synthetic, or soybeans. Use: preservative, nutrient (vitamin E). Kosher, pareve without supervision. Tricalcium Phosphate - Source: synthetic. Use: anti-caking agent, bleaching agent. Kosher, pareve without supervision. Turmeric - Source: herb. Use: spice. As a powder: (Often used in its oleo resin form for use in pickling brine and mustard with glycearides
added.) Kosher, requires supervision. Vanilla - Source: bean. Use: flavoring, it may be processed with glycerine. Requires Kosher supervision. Vanillin - Source: bark of spruce tree. Use: flavoring. Kosher, pareve without supervision. Vegetable Shortening - see Shortening. Vegetable Oil - see Oil. Vegetable Gums - Use: substitute for gelatin in desserts and candies. Kosher, pareve without supervision. Also see gum. Whey - Source: milk or cheese, hence dairy. Use: binder and flavoring agent. Since it is obtained in the manufacture of cheese, requires supervision
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