Kosher Encyclopedia

Here are a few kosher questions raised by the products featured in the candy:

1. Chewing gum

Chewing gum is a product that raises numerous kosher questions. Glycerin, a gum softener, is essential for producing the gum base. As previously mentioned, the basic ingredients of chewing gum may be of animal origin. Furthermore, flavors and fragrances require kosher certification. While national brands of chewing gum are not kosher, kosher products are permitted.

2. Chocolate

Chocolate, more than any other confectionery, requires kosher certification. European companies can use 5% vegetable oil or animal fat to reduce the cost of cocoa butter in their products, and still consider it pure cocoa butter chocolate. Flavorings and flavorings may also contain non-kosher ingredients, such as wine oil and brandy. If not labeled as kosher, some dark chocolate, bittersweet chocolate, and chocolate coatings may contain 1% or 2% milk to increase shelf life and prevent cracking or whitening. In Israel, the practice of adding a small amount of milk to chocolate is very popular.

Chocolate blends used for coatings contain more fat, which may come from animal or plant sources. Cocoa drops may contain palm oil or cottonseed oil, which require kosher certification, instead of cocoa butter. Additionally, carob products may contain milk without listing it in the ingredients list. Most carob chips contain whey.

Chocolate may also be processed on equipment that previously processed milk chocolate, without cleaning the equipment between batches. Therefore, residues from previous batches may remain in the equipment. This is why dairy equipment is sometimes labeled and, at a minimum, requires a warning sign for consumers of cholov yisroel. Processing chocolate on dairy equipment can be problematic for all kosher consumers.

Kosher (Jewish) Products

Many kosher (kosher) brands of candy are produced by private label manufacturers who also produce other specifications for contractors. Contractors must be very careful to ensure that their special requirements are met and must supervise production.

Paskesz has successfully overcome the obstacles encountered in producing kosher candy, setting a precedent for kosher candy companies. According to Mrs. Schmidt, New Product Coordinator at Paskesz Candy, it can take years from the time they conceive a product to when it appears on store shelves. Every step of the Paskesz candy maker's production process is conducted under the strict supervision of Jewish rabbis. First, the manufacturer is educated on kosher principles and their impact on the product. Then, the entire ingredient list, including flavors, fragrances, and colors, is inspected, and the source is investigated by a certified rabbi. During production, inspectors check the cleaning of machinery and ingredients. An inspector is required to be present throughout the entire production process, from the final product to the final product. Sometimes, an inspector may need to lock away essential flavors and fragrances to ensure that production cannot begin without the inspector.

For candy and all food products, the ingredient list on the packaging only reveals a small part of the ingredients involved in the production process. Therefore, if you want to know whether a product is kosher, you must look for the kosher symbol on the product label, so kosher certification is crucial for people's needs.