Fish gelatin does not have the gelling strength needed in yogurt. Star-K would not allow for use of kosher bovine gelatin in yogurt or other dairy foods.” These facts may present technical difficulties for yogurt makers who wish to attain kosher certification for their gelatin-containing yogurt.

“There is debate among authorities if bovine gelatin, which is derived from animal skins or bones, can be eaten with dairy. Star-K also told us their position on the use of gelatin (a meat product) in yogurt (a dairy product). Gelatin derived from fish is permitted in yogurt or other dairy foods according to most opinions.” Kosher gelatin is derived from kosher slaughtered and processed bovine sources or from kosher species of fish. Gelatin derived from pig would not be considered kosher. Star-K said, “Kosher gelatin is derived from kosher animal sources. Regenstein, a Jewish food technologist who has published extensively on kosher food laws. These four agencies are considered “normative mainstream” by J.M. The VRG contacted four major kosher certifying agencies that certify kosher food products in the United States today–Star-K, OK, the Orthodox Union (OU), and KOF-K–to clarify the meaning of kosher gelatin. After further research for this report, we discovered that there is no uniform meaning to the term ‘kosher gelatin When asked about the source of the ‘kosher gelatin,’ McDonald’s informed the writer that it was “from an animal source.” No further information was given. In 2007, the writer noticed the use of the phrase ‘kosher gelatin’ on some ingredient statements, including the one for McDonald’s yogurt. For vegetarians, gelatin presents problems because it is derived from collagen, a component of the skins and bones of animals. To date, food technologists haven’t been able to synthesize gelatin in a lab or find a vegetable equivalent that has all of gelatin’s unique properties–such as its ability to make water bind to other ingredients, giving foods consistency to stabilize foams and gels and to impart a smooth taste to certain foods–all at the same time.

It also has many pharmaceutical applications, including being a major component in many capsules and vitamins. GELATIN IS A COMMON INGREDIENT IN MANY different food products, such as desserts, candy, and yogurt. It is imperative not to rely on a hashgocho you don’t know without checking it out. At most, maybe say that “I feel organization B is unreliable based on …” I am concerned that mentioning specific Rabonim or organizations as problematic may be counter-productive and lead to back-and-forth accusations and recriminations. There are many people who will not use the hechsher of a person who they feel is a yirei shomayim (G-d-fearing person) because of reason b). The reasons for not using a hechsher are usually a combination of the following two:Ī) the hechsher is not trustworthy (a relative who worked in hashgocho told me of one so-called “Rav Hamachshir” who he wouldn’t trust to say the earth was round).ī) the Rav Hamachshir (supervising/certifying Rabbi) and/or kashrus organization is absolutely trustworthy, but relies on kulos (leniencies) that you may prefer to be machmir (more stringent) on. Some people will only eat fleishig if it had a chasidishe schechita. Some will rely on hechsher “A” for milchig (dairy) and pareve, but not for fleishig (meat). There are many, many differences in which hechsherim people rely upon. – Thank you for your kind words, but that was not the point I was trying to communicate.

I Can Only Try got it right on both points.” So, you have to depend on your favorite agency’s norms to find out whether your gelatin is Kosher or not.“The Kashrus industry is purely political and in a very sad state of affairs. Other agencies do not consider gelatin as a ‘food’, due to which it cannot be Kosher or non-Kosher. Kosher gelatin can be derived from the hides of glatt as wellĪccording to some Kosher certifying agencies, gelatin obtained from pig is considered as Kosher. ‘Glatt’ is a Jewish term for an animal the internal organs of which are adhesion free. OU certifies bovine gelatin as Kosher if it has been obtained from the cattle slaughtered as per Kosher rules.According to OK, Kosher gelatin should be made from agar agar or Kosher fish, and should not be made from non-Kosher animals like pig.On the contrary, gelatin from fish does not possess the gelling strength required for binding yogurt According to Star-K, gelatin obtained from pig is not Kosher, and that obtained from fish may be allowed in yogurt and other dairy products, but not otherwise.

Different people follow guidelines from different agencies to identify the Kosher status of gelatin they are buying. There are several agencies that certify food products for their Kosher status, such as Star K, OK, KOF-K and Orthodox Union.

Orthodox union fish gelatin