What Is Kosher? Your Guide to Kosher Food Laws, Certification, and Shopping Tips

You’ve likely heard of the term “kosher” used to describe certain foods—but what is kosher, really?  

Kosher refers to food that meets the requirements of kashrut—the body of Jewish dietary law rooted in biblical tradition. These laws cover which foods may be eaten, how animals must be raised and slaughtered, how food is prepared, and how products are certified. For observant Jewish communities, keeping kosher is a deeply held religious practice and an expression of faith that touches everyday life, including every meal.

What Does Kosher Mean?

What makes a food kosher? Well, all kosher food falls into one of three categories:

• Meat: permitted animal products from qualifying land animals or fowl
• Dairy: milk and milk-derived products from kosher animals
• Pareve: foods that contain neither meat nor dairy

One of the foundational principles of kashrut is that meat and dairy must never be mixed—not in the same meal, not with the same utensils, and not in the same kitchen space. Pareve foods are considered neutral, but can take on a meat or dairy status if cooked or processed alongside either.

Kosher meat

To define kosher meat, it’s important to understand that not all animals qualify as kosher. Land animals must have fully split hooves and chew their cud—so cattle, sheep, and buffalo are permitted, while pigs and rabbits are not. Chicken and turkey are acceptable fowl; birds of prey and scavengers are not. When it comes to seafood, shellfish and seafood without fins and scales are also excluded.

The manner of slaughter matters just as much as the species. Kosher slaughter—called shechita—must be performed by a trained and certified individual known as a shochet, using a method designed to be swift and precise. After slaughter, the animal is inspected for any internal injury or defect. If it doesn’t pass, it cannot be certified kosher. Once approved, the meat is thoroughly cleaned and all blood removed before it’s fit for use.

Kosher dairy

Dairy products are kosher when they come from a kosher animal and contain no meat derivatives. Because of the strict separation between meat and dairy, kosher dairy must be produced on equipment that has never come into contact with meat.

Pareve foods

What is kosher pareve? Fruits, vegetables, grains, eggs, and certain fish fall into the pareve category, as they contain no meat or dairy. Produce is carefully checked for insects, which are not permitted under kosher law. Like all kosher foods, pareve items must be processed on equipment free from cross-contamination.

Kosher Certification and Common Symbols

Because these standards are detailed and exacting, commercially produced kosher food is certified by a rabbinic authority or kosher certifying agency. Certified products carry a kosher symbol—called a hechsher—on their packaging, identifying which agency verified the product’s compliance. The symbol will often appear alongside a designation indicating the product’s category: “D” for dairy, “M” for meat, or “P” (or “Pareve”) for neither.

Here are the most widely recognized certification agencies and what their symbols mean:

Symbol	Agency	Notes
OU	Orthodox Union	The most widely recognized kosher symbol in the world; accepted across virtually all observant communities
OK	OK Kosher Certification	One of the oldest and most respected agencies globally
KOF-K	KOF-K Kosher Supervision	Widely accepted; commonly found on major food brands
Star-K	Star-K Kosher Certification	Well-regarded agency known for rigorous standards

Different agencies may apply varying standards, so observant consumers often follow their own rabbi’s guidance when choosing which certifications to trust. When in doubt, checking with your rabbi or community is always a good step.

(Or, simply shop using Thrive Market’s Certified Kosher shopping filter, which means that each ingredient—and the process of preparation—is certified for orthodox kosher-compliance.) 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is kosher the same as halal?
Not exactly. Kosher and halal are both faith-based dietary frameworks with some overlap—both prohibit pork, for example—but they come from different religious traditions (Jewish and Islamic law, respectively) and differ in their specific requirements around slaughter and food handling. A product certified as one is not automatically certified as the other.

Does kosher mean organic?
No. Kosher certification speaks to how food is sourced, prepared, and handled according to Jewish law—it has nothing to do with whether ingredients are organic, non-GMO, or grown without pesticides. A product can be kosher and conventionally produced, or organic and not kosher. Always check for both certifications separately if both matter to you.

Can non-Jewish people keep kosher?
Absolutely. While kashrut is rooted in Jewish religious law, anyone can choose to eat kosher foods or follow kosher guidelines. Many people do so for their own personal, cultural, or practical reasons.

Why do some products say “kosher” but not have a hechsher symbol?
A product labeled “kosher” without a recognized certification symbol has not been independently verified. For strict observance, a product should carry a hechsher from a recognized certifying agency; a self-declared label is not considered sufficient.

Glossary of Kosher Terms

Term	Definition
Kashrut	The body of Jewish law governing what is permissible to eat and how food must be prepared
Hechsher	A kosher certification symbol on packaging from a recognized rabbinic authority or agency
Shechita	The Jewish method of animal slaughter, performed swiftly and precisely by a trained professional
Shochet	A trained and certified individual authorized to perform kosher slaughter
Pareve	A food category containing neither meat nor dairy; considered neutral under kosher law
Glatt	A higher standard of kosher meat, indicating the animal’s lungs were free of any adhesions upon inspection
Chalav Yisrael	A stricter dairy standard requiring that the entire milking process be supervised

Shopping for Kosher Groceries

When shopping for kosher products, you may wonder, What makes something kosher?  The hechsher on the packaging is your most reliable guide. Some products will also note “Glatt” (a higher standard for kosher meat) or “Chalav Yisrael” (a stricter dairy certification), which may matter depending on your level of observance or preference. If you follow specific standards, it’s worth familiarizing yourself with which certifications align with your practice.

At Thrive Market, we carry a curated selection of certified kosher groceries across a wide range of categories—from pantry staples and snacks to beverages and specialty items. You can browse everything in one place using our Certified Kosher shopping filter, making it easy to find products that meet your needs without having to check every label individually.

Here are a few examples of Certified Kosher products we sell at Thrive Market: 

Safe Catch Wild Elite Tuna
For a good source of protein that’s Certified Kosher, this pure canned tuna is a tasty addition to your salad or sandwich. 

Thrive Market Organic Mac & Cheese
Not all dairy is Certified Kosher, but this organic macaroni and cheese is an easy, convenient lunch that is made with milk from kosher cows. 

Thrive Market Organic Kosher Dill Pickles
Did you know that the term “kosher dill pickles” refers to pickles made with the traditional, tangy recipe brought to New York City by Eastern European Jewish immigrants? Ours are organic and Certified Kosher, so they make a delicious staple in a kosher pantry. 

The Matzo Project Matzo Chips, Everything
Matzo (or matzah) is an unleavened, cracker-like bread that is a central part of the Jewish Passover holiday. These Certified Kosher matzo chips are made with unbleached wheat flour and are delicious with many different types of dips and spreads. 

Chickapea One Pot Pasta Meal, Creamy Garlic
Many people who keep kosher choose to eat plant-based foods because they simplify the strict separation of meat and dairy. At Thrive Market, we carry lots of Certified Kosher, plant-based meal starters and other staples, like this protein-filled chickpea pasta. 

Thrive Market Organic Za’atar
While most single-ingredient spices are kosher, spice blends often go through more processing and require certification to ensure that they meet kosher standards. You can be confident that at Thrive Market, spices that are Certified Kosher are clearly labeled for easy shopping.