Kosher Symbols on Food Packaging: Things to Know Before Printing Labels

Last Updated on June 18, 2025 by Packoi Team

As consumer demand for transparency and inclusivity grows, kosher certifications have become more than just a religious marker; they’re a sign of trust, quality, and market accessibility. Accurate kosher symbols on packaging can help food manufacturers and brand owners reach a wider audience and increase product sales.

In this article, we break down the meaning of kosher symbols, who regulates them, and why getting it right matters more than ever.

What Does Kosher Mean?

Kosher refers to a broad set of dietary laws outlined in the Jewish faith. The regulations, as stated in the Torah (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible), provide clear and detailed instructions for food consumption.

Since most modern foods are factory-processed, it can be hard to tell if all the ingredients are kosher. Contact between kosher and non-kosher foods is strictly prohibited. Therefore, if manufacturers use the same tools for both kosher and non-kosher items, all the food is declared non-kosher.

Fortunately, there are several kosher certification agencies worldwide that test food manufacturing processes and bestow kosher labeling.

These kosher certification agencies employ rabbis with expertise in kosher laws. In the United States, five agencies oversee 80% of the kosher food certifications.

1. Chicago Rabbinical Council
2. Kof-K Certification
3. Orthodox Union Kosher
4. OK Kosher Certification
5. Star-K Kosher Certification

While it’s great to have so many credible agencies ensure compliance with kosher standards, it can make things complicated.

Kosher foods are divided into three categories: meats, dairy, and everything else. Each certification agency has three or more symbols indicating the food’s kosher status.

We dive deeper into kosher symbols later in the article.

1. Kosher Meat Products

Kosher laws state red meat is permissible if it is from animals that “chew cud.” Similarly, poultry is only permissible if it is from a kosher bird (birds of prey are forbidden). It’s not just meat. Kosher certification also examines meat derivatives, including bones, broth, fat, and other meat products.

2. Kosher Dairy Products

Milk and all milk derivatives like cheese, butter, and yogurt are considered kosher as long as they come from a kosher animal. Kosher certifications also consider eggs to be part of the dairy category. Similar to milk, eggs are only kosher if they come from a kosher bird.

3. Kosher Pareve Status

The term “Pareve” refers to food items that do not contain either meat or dairy. So fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seafood all fall under the pareve status.

Unsurprisingly, all raw and unprocessed fruits, vegetables, and nuts are considered inherently kosher. Fish are slightly more difficult to identify. Sea life that has fins and easily removable scales is considered kosher.

Certified kosher pareve products help customers navigate the otherwise tricky Jewish dietary laws.

Note: The above list categorizes the most commonly eaten animals around the world. For more details, you can contact any of your local kosher certification agencies.

What Are Kosher Symbols, and What Do They Represent?

Now let’s dive headfirst into the relatively complex world of kosher certification symbols. As there are several Kosher certifying agencies, we will not be able to cover all of them in this article. Instead, we will focus on kosher symbols most commonly used by the major kosher certifying agencies.

Here is a quick list of the most common kosher symbols on food packaging.

1. Standard Kosher Certificate (K)

The standard kosher certification symbol is used for all products that fall under the pareve category, except for those that contain fish. Most kosher food labels will display the words “kosher certification” or “kosher certified” on the back, along with the ingredients and nutritional information.

Other kosher certifications use the letter “K” encased in a unique design to represent kosher pareve products. This makes things easier – just look for a big ‘K’ printed somewhere on the product packaging to check if it’s kosher.

It should be noted that the Orthodox Union is probably the only kosher certifying agency that doesn’t use the letter “K.” Instead, it uses the symbol of a U inside an O, which is the agency’s initials.

2. Kosher Dairy Certificate (K-D)

Dairy certificates are the same as the pareve certification, except they have the letter “D” next to the kosher symbol.

The kosher dairy certification means that the dairy-based foods were prepared using kosher dairy ingredients and kosher equipment. Kosher equipment simply means that cooking tools have never come into contact with non-kosher ingredients.

3. Kosher Dairy Equipment Certificate (K-DE)

A product’s kosher status is more than its ingredients. Equipment plays an important role in the kosher certification process. A kosher symbol with the letter “DE” means the food item is certified kosher pareve. However, it was prepared using equipment that is also used for kosher dairy products.

Such products are completely dairy-free but have come into contact with kosher dairy dishes, tools, and other utensils.

4. Super Kosher Dairy Certificate (K-D-CY)

You will often see the letter “CY” accompanying dairy kosher certification. CY stands for Cholov Yisroel, literally meaning “Jewish Dairy.”

Dairy products carrying the CY kosher symbol represent a higher standard of kosher supervision. This means that a Jewish observer was present throughout the manufacturing process, from milking the cows to final product packaging.

5. Kosher Meat Certificate (K-M)

The kosher certificate for meat and meat derivatives is a kosher symbol accompanied by the letter “M”. Although some certifications simply state “kosher meat” to eliminate any confusion.

Kosher meat refers to foods that contain meat or poultry, even in small amounts. Therefore, if French fries were fried in duck fat instead of vegetable oil, according to kosher dietary laws, they would be classified as a meat product.

Additionally, a non-meat product will be labeled as kosher-M if it was prepared using equipment that was previously used for meat products.

6. Kosher Glatt Certification (K-Glatt)

You may have also seen the words Kosher Glatt on some products. Glatt is a Hebrew word meaning smooth. It refers to the state of a land animal‘s lungs. After a cow (or other land animal) is slaughtered, a kosher expert examines the condition of the animal’s lungs.

If the lungs are free of any adhesions or other defects, the meat is labeled as Glatt. Originally, the kosher Glatt certification was meant for land animals. However, recently, many businesses have adopted the Glatt label for poultry.

Today, kosher products bearing a Glatt symbol signify a higher quality item that meets stringent kosher standards.

7. Kosher Fish Certificate (K-F)

A kosher certification with the letter “F” indicates the product is a kosher fish or contains fish ingredients. Although the pareve definition encompasses many foods, including fish, kosher certification agencies have decided to assign a separate symbol to fish products.

Separating fish foods from the other pareve items is a consumer-friendly practice. It’s all about giving consumers as many choices as possible. The separation of pareve and pareve fish foods is also beneficial for individuals with food allergies.

Someone with a seafood allergy can eat kosher pareve products, but not kosher fish products.

Kosher fish certification means the product contains neither dairy nor meat. So, if someone wanted to avoid those food items, they now have a clear indication in the form of a kosher symbol.

8. Kosher Baked Goods Certificate (K-Pas Yisroel)

According to Jewish dietary laws, Pas Yisroel refers to grain-based products (baked goods) that were produced with the participation of a Jewish person.

Similar to the super kosher dairy standard, it’s not a necessary requirement for kosher diets. However, many Jewish communities prefer Pas Yisroel kosher certification, especially if the food is intended for export to Israel.

9. Kosher Passover Certification (K-P)

A kosher symbol with the word “Passover” next to it represents food items that are permissible during the Jewish holiday. Other kosher symbols also accompany the Passover wording. So, dairy products that are permissible during Passover will be labeled “Kosher D (Passover)”.

During the eight days of Passover, certain grains (barley, oats, rye, spelt, and wheat) are forbidden. Jews observing Passover are not allowed to eat these grains nor have them in their house.

Hence, kosher for Passover symbols are an excellent way for Jewish consumers to easily identify food items before purchase.

Why Kosher Certification Matters on Food Packaging?

Standardized kosher labeling is one of the biggest achievements in the food industry. It holds manufacturers accountable and ensures all raw materials are handled with care and in accordance with kosher laws.

But these kosher certification symbols go beyond catering to the Jewish market. Here are three reasons why kosher certification matters.

1. Clean & Healthy Foods

Kosher testing and certification is more than an ingredients checklist. A kosher certifying agency examines all aspects of the food manufacturing process.

• The food must be ethically sourced in accordance with Jewish dietary laws,
• All cooking tools and equipment must be kept clean
• Factories must implement systems that detect and prevent contamination.

This type of diligence ensures that food is prepared in a clean and sterile environment, which prevents food contamination and the spread of diseases. So, kosher symbols provide Jewish people with food that aligns with their religious beliefs. 

For everyone else, the kosher symbols indicate the use of clean ingredients, careful preparation methods, and proper facility hygiene.

2. Trust and Transparency

A kosher symbol signals that a trusted authority has independently verified a product. This third-party validation enhances brand integrity and gives consumers confidence in the products they purchase.

In a market where ingredient sourcing and ethical practices are more important than ever, kosher certification serves as a mark of accountability and transparency.

Kosher certification requires manufacturers to honestly declare all the food ingredients, their sources, and processing techniques. This type of transparency informs consumers about the food that they eat.

In a market where ingredient sourcing and ethical practices are more important than ever, kosher certification serves as a mark of accountability and transparency. A study reveals that Gen Z is more conscious of food sustainability and demands greater transparency from companies.

Customers will trust your products more if you have a third-party validation from a kosher certifying agency.

3. Promoting Inclusivity

Kosher certification enables Jewish people and some vegetarian Muslims to practice their faith more confidently and consistently by ensuring that the food they consume aligns with their values.

The funny thing is that most food preparation already aligns with kosher principles. Many brands don’t need to change their current operating procedures. They only need to ensure compliance with kosher certification agencies.

Kosher Certification Process: From Food Inspection to Symbol Approval

The certification process is not easy. It requires your business to comply with kosher requirements throughout the production process.

Step 1 – Fulfil Kosher Certification Requirements

The complete certification requirements will vary from company to company. Restaurants and caterers must adhere to different rules compared to manufacturers.

Here are some tips to help you get your kosher-certified products on store shelves more quickly and efficiently.

• Train your workers to adhere to strict kosher policies and ensure the proper sanitation of premises and equipment.
• Use separate equipment for meat, dairy, fish, and pareve dishes throughout the food production processes.
• Either remove all non-kosher items from the premises or ensure that kosher and non-kosher items are stored separately, with no risk of contamination.
• Ensure all blood is thoroughly removed from the meat before bringing it to the restaurant or factory.
• Conduct an internal audit to verify that all cooking processes comply with kosher certification standards.

Step 2 – Contact a Kosher Certification Company

Restaurants may choose from any number of local kosher certification companies. All your food is prepared in-house, and even if you offer takeout, it will be within the city.

However, packaged food brands will need to contact a certification company that operates nationally and even internationally. Packaged food items are shipped across the country to various states, and some even export their products to other countries.

Once you contact the relevant company, they will ask for an initial inspection. After the inspection, you will receive a detailed report of the required changes to your production house (if any).

Ensure compliance with the certification company, pay the annual fees and other dues, and you will be certified as kosher.

Step 3 – Implementing Certification Labels

Once you pass the certification company’s audit, you will receive detailed guidelines on which kosher symbol to use on which product. You will also be added to an online database that keeps track of kosher products and their manufacturers.

There are two types of kosher certifications.

• Schedule A – This certification is for an approved list of raw materials, ingredients, and products used in food production.
• Schedule B – This certification is for the final sale-ready products that will bear the kosher certificate, such as K-D, K-M, K-F, etc.

The certification company will also provide guidelines on the size, color, and other technical details of the kosher symbol.

Comparison: Kosher vs. Halal Labeling Certifications

Both kosher dietary laws and halal food definitions share some similarities, but these two food certification standards are not the same. Let’s break down their core differences and commonalities.

Differences between Kosher & Halal

Similarities between Kosher & Halal

Despite their differences, there are key areas where both dietary laws align:

• Unprocessed produce: Unprocessed fruits, vegetables, and nuts are both Halal and Kosher.
• Dairy: Cow, goat, and sheep-based dairy ingredients and products are generally both Halal and Kosher.

FAQs

Q1: Can I Use a Kosher Symbol without Full Certification?

You can label your product packaging as ‘kosher,’ but you cannot use any kosher symbol without undergoing the proper certification process.

Q2: Who Approves the Placement of Kosher Symbols on a Label?

The placement of kosher symbols is determined by the kosher certification agency that audits and reviews your manufacturing process.

Q3: What if I Change Ingredients — Do I Need to Recertify?

Yes, any change in ingredients requires a recertification from the kosher compliance agency.

Q4: How Do Kosher Certifications Differ Between Countries?

Each country has its own local kosher certification authority, and although the requirements are the same, the governing bodies differ in each case.

Q5: What Happens if My Printer Accidentally Omits the Symbol?

In most cases, you will need to reprint your packaging. However, you can coordinate with the kosher certification agency for leniency.

Conclusion

Kosher labeling is necessary for a tolerant and inclusive society. It’s the responsibility of a business to ensure its products are marketed to the right customer segment. However, kosher labeling is also financially beneficial for businesses. The global kosher food market is valued at over $25 billion worldwide, and Jewish customers are willing to pay a premium for certified kosher products.

As long as you ensure safe and hygienic cooking practices, it shouldn’t be too hard for your business to receive a kosher certification.

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Packoi is an international supplier of custom packaging and print materials. We produce premium-quality food packaging, product boxes, gift bags, and marketing materials.

Our team of expert designers will help you navigate kosher symbols and labeling in accordance with your specific kosher certification requirements. Pair your kosher products with sustainable packaging materials to ensure a positive customer experience. Contact us now!