If you regularly buy food from supermarkets then you have probably seen the OU symbol on various products and wondered what they really mean. The symbol is called hechsher symbols and understanding them is very important to a customer. Today I would like to explain to you what these labels mean and where you can find them.

A hechsher is a special product certification, that qualifies foods that conforms to kosher requirements. Kosher-certified companies have to meet the highest standards of product quality as well as maintaining the best manufacturing practices.

The hechsher certification brings strict requirements to quality of finished products as well as their ingredients. That is why the production lines and equipment used to manufacture kosher foods are carefully cleaned and purged. Even the smallest amount of a non-kosher substance is not allowed. 

 You might wonder where you can find the products. Well, kosher dietary laws identify three category of foods: meat, dairy and “neutral” foods, also called pareve. The hechsher itself isn’t signifier of hypoallergenic foods. But “neutral” products are helpful to people who are allergic to dairy or meat because pereve indicated food is free of milk products and meat.   

Many kosher certification agencies are granting a hechsher to packaged foods and beverage out there. Most common symbol of kosher-quality product is a capital U inside a circle or the OU sign that stands for the Union of Orthodox. The marking can be found on the packaging of Coca-Cola, Nastie, Jim Beam, Heinz and other world known brands. The small letter next to the OU symbol indicates type of product. Like OU means the food contains ,meat, OU-D is dairy products, OU-M is product is made from meat or meat ingredients, OU-F is the product are made from fish.

People who needs this kind of products are those who are allergic to milk or meat, pevere contains no meat or dairy products hence they can be consumed by vegetarians and people with lactose intolerance. Also people who are dieting or exercising regularly kosher is good for them.  

Content created and supplied by: NastieEddie (via Opera News )