Kosher Guidelines

KOSHER GUIDELINES

Description
Kosher is a Hebrew word that means “fit” or “wholesome.” Kosher dietary laws define foods and combinations of foods that are allowed or forbidden. The collective term for the Jewish laws and customs relating to the types of foods permitted for consumption and their preparation is kashruth. The observance of kosher dietary laws varies according to the traditions of the individual and interpretations of the dietary laws.

In a nonkosher food service facility, observance of dietary laws usually involves service of commercially prepared kosher dinners on disposable plastic ware for the patient following a strict kosher diet. For patients not following a strict kosher diet or if the patient so wishes, the foods usually prepared by the Food and Nutrition Services Department can be served, as long as milk and milk products are separated from meat and meat products and certain forbidden foods are excluded (see the following list).

The strict observance of the kashruth by the kosher food service requires separate sets of equipment, dishes, and silverware, as well as kosher food suppliers for many items. Dairy foods are stored and prepared separately from meat and meat products.

Indications
Kosher diets may be ordered for individuals of the Jewish faith if they so desire.

Nutritional Adequacy
The diet can be planned to meet the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) as outlined in the Statement on Nutritional Adequacy.

How to Order the Diet
Order as “Kosher Diet.” Any additional dietary modifications that may be warranted should be stated in the diet prescription (eg, “Kosher Diet, Sugar in Moderation”).

Guidelines for Food Selection:

Kosher meats and poultry may come only from animals that have cloven hooves, chew their cud, and are slaughtered according to the humane and specific guidelines prescribed by the Jewish dietary laws. In addition, kosher meats undergo a process called koshering, in which blood is extracted by soaking in salt or broiling on a regular grill. (Pan grilling is not acceptable.)
Foods are classified as dairy, meat, or pareve. Meals are classified either as dairy or meat. Meat and meat products are not to be combined with any dairy products in recipe, food preparation, or service. Pareve foods may be served at dairy or meat meals.
The strict observance of the Kashruth requires separate sets of equipment, dishes, and silverware for dairy or meat meals. In a kosher kitchen, dairy foods are stored and prepared separately from meat and meat products.
In a nonkosher food service facility, observance of dietary laws usually involves service of commercially prepared kosher dinners on disposable plastic ware for the patient following a strict kosher diet. For patients not following a strict kosher diet or if the patient so wishes, the usual foods prepared by the Food & Nutrition Services Department can be served, as long as milk and milk products are separated from meat and meat products and certain forbidden foods are excluded (see the following list).
Processed foods: No product should be considered kosher unless so certified by a reliable rabbinic authority whose name of insignia appears on the sealed package. The insignia, U which is the copyrighted symbol of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, indicates that the product is certified as to its kosher nature. Packages marked with other symbols may be suitable for certain but not all kosher diets. It is important that a kosher food package remains sealed when presented to the user. The package should be opened only under these circumstances: by the user, in the user’s presence, or by someone authorized by the religious authorities to open the food package.
Nonkosher foods may be used if considered essential in the treatment of an ill person. However, a rabbi should be consulted before waiving dietary restrictions.

FOOD GUIDE – KOSHER DIET
	FOOD GROUP	FOODS ALLOWED	FOODS EXCLUDED
Dairy	Milk Products	All foods containing milk or white sauces Note: Foods containing milk derivatives such as sodium caseinate and lactose are considered dairy
Meat	Meat	Only meat from an animal that chews its cud and has split hooves Beef: chuck, brisket, plate, shank, rib up to and including 12th rib Broiled liver Veal/lamb: shoulder, rack, shank, breast	Pork and pork products Beef: loin, rump, flank, shank, hindquarter Veal: loin, leg, flank, shank, Lamb: loin, leg, hind quarter
	Fowl	Most domesticated fowl are by tradition considered to be kosher: chicken, turkey, domestic duck	Wild fowl that is hunted
Pareve	Breads, Cereals, and Grains	All except listed in Foods Excluded column	Bread made with lard or animal shortening. Note: Breads and cereals containing any dairy products are classified as dairy
	Eggs	Eggs from domestic fowl	Eggs containing blood spots
	Fish and Seafood	Fish having both fins and scales: halibut, flounder, cod, tuna, haddock, pollack, turbot, salmon, trout, whitefish, herring, etc.	Catfish, eel, marlin, sailfish, shark, sturgeon, swordfish, lumpfish, scallops, and shellfish such as lobster, shrimp, crab and oysters
	Vegetables and Fruit	All, prepared with pareve certification and allowed ingredients; fresh do not require Kashruth certification. Baked beans, catsup, chick peas, chow mein noodles, dehydrated or canned soup and bases, prepared sauces, tomato juice, tomato products, frozen fruits and vegetables in sauce, grape juice, blended fruit juice drinks and punches, must have Kashruth certification
	Fats	Pure vegetable oil Margarine made with vegetable shortening and without milk	Lard or animal shortening Margarine with added milk Butter
	Sweets	Imitation sour cream or whipped topping with pareve certification Sugar, jam, jelly (grape jelly only if has Kashruth certification), syrup Candy without milk
	Beverages	Coffee, tea, carbonated beverages Alcoholic beverages Nondairy creamer with pareve certification Those made with milk or milk products are considered to be a part of the dairy group
Other	Desserts	Desserts made without milk or animal products are considered to be pareve certified	Desserts made with lard or animal shortening Monoglycerides and diglycerides and emulsifiers that may be from animal fats