Star-K facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Star-K Kosher Certification |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Certifying agency | Vaad Hakashrus of Baltimore |
| Headquarters | 122 Slade Ave #300, Baltimore, MD 21208 |
| Key People |
|
Star-K Kosher Certification is a group that checks if food and products follow Jewish dietary laws. It's also known as the Vaad Hakashrus of Baltimore. This organization is based in Baltimore, Maryland, and is led by Rabbi Moshe Heinemann and other rabbis. Star-K is one of the biggest groups that gives kosher approval in North America. Many Orthodox Jewish people around the world trust Star-K. They make sure that food and places like restaurants follow the rules of Kashrut, which are Jewish food laws.
Contents
What is Kosher Certification?
Kosher certification means that food or products meet the rules of Kashrut. These are Jewish laws about what foods can be eaten and how they should be prepared. A kosher certification agency, like Star-K, sends rabbis or experts to check food factories and restaurants. They make sure everything follows the strict rules. This helps Jewish people know which foods are okay for them to eat.
Other Star-K Certifications
Star-K also offers other special kosher labels. These labels help people understand more about how a product meets kosher rules.
Star-D: Dairy Products
The Star-D label is for certain dairy products and places that sell food. This label is used when the milk is not chalav yisrael. Chalav yisrael means milk that was watched by a religious Jewish person during milking. Star-D products still follow all other Star-K rules. This label is managed by Star-K. It is also supported by the National Council of Young Israel in the United States. Many well-known brands use the Star-D certification.
Star-S: Passover Products
The Star-S is another special label from Star-K. This label is for products that are Kosher for Passover but contain kitniyot. Kitniyot are foods like rice, corn, and beans. During Passover, Ashkenazi Jewish people usually do not eat kitniyot. However, Sephardi Jewish people are allowed to eat them. So, Star-S products are okay for Sephardi Jews during Passover, but not for Ashkenazi Jews. The OU also has a similar label called OU-Kitniyot.
History of Star-K
The organization was first known as Vaad Hakashrus. It has been led by Rabbi Heinemann for a long time. Over the years, it grew to become one of the largest kosher certification groups.
