Buying Kosher Food

BureauofKosherEnforcement
Frequently Asked Questions: Buying Kosher Food 1. What is a kosher food dealer? Dealers include stores, restaurants, hotels, caterers, bakeries, butcher shops, delicatessens, nursing homes, manufacturers and wholesalers that represent that they are selling, preparing or maintaining food as kosher. 2. Can a dealer circumvent the State’s kosher rules by stating orally, but not in writing, that the food offered for sale is kosher? No. Statements made orally are as binding as those made in writing. 3. Is a dealer allowed to mix kosher and nonkosher prepackaged foods together? Yes. If a dealer sells foods in the original packages and they are not opened they may be displayed together. However, if there is a sign that specifically identifies a section as being for kosher foods, all food in that section must be kosher. 4. Is a dealer selling food represented as kosher always required to post disclosures? Any dealer selling food represented as kosher must post the disclosures in a clear and conspicuous place. However, if all food items sold as kosher are in the original packaging disclosures are not needed. 5. Are disclosure posters required by caterers? Yes. Caterers serving food at any location, except a private home, must post the disclosures required by the regulations. Caterers must provide a copy of the disclosures to the consumer prior to signing a contract. 6. What types of disclosures are posted? Depending on the dealer’s business, there may be disclosures for Meat, Meat, Dairy and Pareve, Bakery and Passover. 7. Are Passover disclosures required for stores and caterers? Yes. A dealer selling food represented as kosher for Passover must post a disclosure at least 30 days before Passover. A caterer assuming a facility exclusively for the Passover holiday must post the disclosure when the caterer takes over the facility. The disclosure must stay posted until the conclusion of the holiday. Page 1 of 2 BureauofKosherEnforcement
8. Are the disclosure forms readily available to the dealer? Yes. They can be downloaded from the Division’s website. 9. Is there a separate disclosure for kosher supervision? Yes. If a dealer has kosher supervision, the dealer must post the form with information about the supervisor and how often the supervisor is on the premises. 10. Must the supervising rabbi and/or kosher supervising agency file a form with the Division? Yes. The supervisor must file with the Division annually. 11. If a dealer is no longer selling food represented as kosher, must the dealer notify the Division? Yes. Dealers are required to provide written notice to the Division regarding any change in kosher status within 14 calendar days of such change. 12. Are there specific letters that reveal whether a product is kosher? Yes. The letter “P” indicates kosher for Passover. There are recognized kosher food symbols, for example, OU, OK, KOF‐K, Triangle‐K and STAR‐K, that cannot be used without first obtaining written authorization from the person or agency represented by that symbol. 13. Is there a specific definition for the term “pareve”? Yes. Any food that does not contain meat or dairy products can be considered pareve. Many vegetarians look for a kosher symbol and the pareve designation for assurance that the food they buy contains no meat or dairy. 14. Are there terms used in connection with the sale of food represented as kosher that the consumer should be made aware of? Yes. When a dealer uses terms such as “glatt” or “T’midi,” the dealer is required to state on the disclosure what the dealer means when he/she uses that term. Consumers should read the disclosures carefully to ensure that the dealer meets the consumer’s personal standard. 15. Do meat and poultry have kosher identification? Meat and poultry slaughtered to be sold are identified at the slaughterhouse usually with a tag or “plumba.” Kosher identification may not be removed from the meat or poultry until immediately prior to the sale or use of the product. Page 2 of 2