| ALCOHOL - BEER (SEE NOTES) |
All unflavoured beer with no additives are acceptable even without kosher certification. This applies to imported beer, light, dark and non alcoholic beer. Independent boutique breweries should not be assumed to be acceptable and may require certification.
Beer from New Zealand must be presumed Dairy unless stated otherwise.
Beer from New Zealand must be presumed Dairy unless stated otherwise. |
| ALCOHOL - BOURBON (SEE NOTES) |
All brands of Bourbon are acceptable and pareve. Bourbon doesn't require kosher certification. |
| ALCOHOL - BRANDY (SEE NOTES) |
Brandy requires Rabbinic supervision |
| ALCOHOL - CHAMPAGNE (SEE NOTES) |
Champagne requires Rabbinic supervision |
| ALCOHOL - CLARET (SEE NOTES) |
Claret requires Rabbinic supervision |
| ALCOHOL - COGNAC (SEE NOTES) |
Cognac requires Rabbinic supervision |
| ALCOHOL - GIN (SEE NOTES) |
All brands are acceptable except when containing grape or wine. Sloe gin is a liqueur and must either be listed or Kosher certified. Gin containing dairy ingredients eg; lactose, milk or whey must be considered dairy. Unflavoured Gin if product of South Africa is NOT ACCEPTABLE. |
| ALCOHOL - LIQUEURS & CREAM LIQUEURS (SEE NOTES) |
The following liqueurs are permitted as in accordance with the London Beth Din Really Jewish Food Guide. |
| ALCOHOL - PORT (SEE NOTES) |
Port is a fortified wine and is not kosher unless produced under Rabbinic supervision |
| ALCOHOL - RUM (SEE NOTES) |
RUM 'Product of USA' is NOT ACCEPTABLE |
| ALCOHOL - SHERRY (SEE NOTES) |
Sherry requires Rabbinic supervision |
| ALCOHOL - TEQUILA (SEE NOTES) |
Blanco (White/Silver)- all brands acceptable. Oro (Brown/Gold), Reposado (Aged), Anego (Extra aged) require a reliable hechsher. |
| ALCOHOL - VERMOUTH (SEE NOTES) |
Vermouth requires Rabbinic supervision |
| ALCOHOL - VODKA (SEE NOTES) |
All brands of unflavoured Vodka are acceptable. Vodka made with grapes is NOT ACCEPTABLE. Vodka produced with dairy ingredients (lactose, milk and whey) should be considered dairy. Flavoured Vodka should only be used when bearing a reliable hechsher. |
| ALCOHOL - WHISKY (SEE NOTES) |
Irish Whiskey: As a result of the work of the KLBD with the distillers, Irish legislation has been changed and it is no longer permitted to add flavour enhancers (including those which are wine based) to Irish whiskey. Therefore all whiskey bottled in Ireland since mid 2009, without any mention of the use of sherry, port or other wine casks on the label or marketing literature, can be consumed confidently without any halachic concerns.
Scotch Whiskey: However the following applies to Scotch Whisky: 1. No additives are permitted in Scotch Whisky with the exception of caramel colour which is kosher. 2. Ordinary Scotch Whisky whether Single Malt or Blended without any mention of the use of Sherry, Port or other wine casks on the label or marketing literature can confidently be consumed without any concerns relating to having been in contact with wine casks. 3. Whisky which has been matured in wine casks has been subject to detailed halachic consideration by major poskim (including 'Minchas Yitzchak vol 2, 28 and Igros Moshe Yore Deah vol 1, 62 and 63) who did not forbid its consumption. 4. There is a new process however, known as wine cask finishes (also referred to as double or second maturation ) which is a secondary process that some claim is specifically designed to enhance the flavour of otherwise fully matured whiskey and impart a recognisable taste of the wine. This new process may not be covered by all the aforementioned heterim and accordingly some may wish to avoid products so labelled. The London Beth Din continues to allow all types of Scotch Whisky based on Teshuvos Igros Moshe, as does the Kashrut Authority.
American Whiskey: Only Kosher certified or approved whiskey are recommended.
Japanese Whiskey: Is not subject to the same controls as Scotch Whiskey and Irish Whiskey and is therefore not approved unless bearing an acceptable hechsher.
Welsh Whiskey: Is not subject to the same controls as Scotch Whiskey and Irish Whikey and is therefore ONLY approved when kosher certified. |
| ALCOHOL - WINE (SEE NOTES) |
All Wines, including Wines from Israel, made from grapes (including Grape Juice), Brandy, Champagne, Cognac, Sherry, Vermouth which are not certified Kosher by a Rabbinate are NOT ACCEPTABLE. |
| ALCOHOLIC DRINKS (SEE NOTES) |
BEER, LIQUEUR, SPIRITS AND WINE.
GENERAL HEALTH WARNING: Drinking and driving is dangerous, illegal and against Halacha. Please be sure that your blood alcohol level is under 0.05 before driving. "P" platers may not drink at all before driving. Please always drink only in moderation. Do not hesitate to contact your medical practitioner if you have a problem with over drinking or if you know someone who does.
Your medical practitioner will treat all approaches with confidentiality.
It is a parent's responsibility to ensure that children under age are prevented from having access to alcoholic beverages. Underage drinking and binge drinking are real problems in the adolescent community.
Parents should take an active role in educating their children in relation to drinking and should not hesitate to seek help from their medical practitioner or school authorities.
Pregnant women should not consume alcohol - although a sip of wine for Kiddush will cause no harm.
It is erroneous to suggest that intoxication or drinking to excess are either permitted or encouraged on Shabbat or Chagim, especially for adolescents - indeed Rabbinic authorities forbid such drinking. It is appropriate for Synagogues or youth groups to impose appropriate controls over alcoholic beverages in order to prevent alcohol abuse, especially among adolescents, in their communities.
See further www.thinkbeforeyoudrink.com.au or www.alcohol.gov.au
Alcoholic drinks from New Zealand must be presumed Dairy unless stated otherwise. |
| BABY FORMULA (SEE NOTES) |
ONLY baby formulae varieties which have been listed below should be used. However if your doctor or pediatrician requires a specific diet please contact your Rabbi for further advice. |
| BAKING POWDER |
All brands acceptable |
| BICARB SODA (SEE NOTES) |
All pure Sodium Bicarbonate is pareve and mehadrin. |
| BISCUITS & COOKIES (SEE NOTES) |
Locally produced biscuits usually contain fats, oils or improvers of non-kosher origin. There is a very large range of Israeli, South African and American kosher biscuits available locally. Even these imported biscuits and crackers (including Israeli produced goods) should only be used if marked with a reliable Rabbinic Hechsher. A 'K' on the packet alone is insufficient. Please note which products are dairy or pareve.2 |
| BRAN (SEE NOTES) |
All brands of unprocessed bran are pareve and acceptable |
| BREAD AND BAKERY GOODS (SEE NOTES) |
Bread usually contains or comes in contact with Non-Kosher oils, fats or improvers and cannot be accepted as kosher without thorough investigation and subsequent authorisation. |
| BUTTER AND DAIRY BLENDS (SEE NOTES) |
Soft butters, butter spreads & dairy blends are NOT ACCEPTABLE unless specifically listed. Butter made from whey cream is NOT ACCEPTABLE unless produced under Rabbinic supervision |
| CAKES & CAKE MIXES (SEE NOTES) |
Cakes and cake mixes usually contain non-kosher ingredients, and must only be used if they are produced under supervision. Cakes bought in a non-kosher cake shop, even if containing only kosher ingredients are NOT ACCEPTABLE because of the non-kosher utensils used in their preparation |
| CAROB (SEE NOTES) |
All plain ground dried carob is pareve and mehadrin |
| CITRIC ACID (SEE NOTES) |
All retail packs of Citric Acid can be considered pareve and acceptable but NOT mehadrin. Bulk purchases require an approved hechsher |
| COCOA/CACOA (SEE NOTES) |
All brands of pure cocoa/cacoa without flavourings are pareve, mehadrin and acceptable |
| COCONUT (SEE NOTES) |
All brands of pure white desiccated coconut are acceptable |
| COFFEE (SEE NOTES) |
All brands of plain coffee, instant coffee and decaf coffee without flavours added are acceptable. Chicory and Ricory are acceptable additives. |
| COFFEE WHITENERS (SEE NOTES) |
ONLY acceptable when bearing a reliable Kashrut Logo. Please note non-dairy coffee whiteners could either be Pareve or Dairy. |
| CREAM OF TARTAR (SEE NOTES) |
Most authorities permit the use of Tartaric Acid/Cream of Tartar, provided it has been aged for 12 months. One generally assumes that Tartaric Acid available at a retail level fulfills this requirement. |
| CREAM, SOUR & THICKENED CREAM (SEE NOTES) |
Please note: Only listed brands of thickened cream have been investigated and found to be acceptable. No locally produced imitation cream is acceptable. Any thickened cream that contains any of the following thickeners 400, 401, 402, 403, 404, 406, 407,412 and does not contain 441 or "gelatine", is acceptable |
| DIPS |
Use ONLY Dips listed or bearing a reputable Kosher Logo |
| DRIED FRUIT & GLACE (SEE NOTES) |
All dried Apples, Peaches, Pears, Apricot, Mango regardless of country of origin, are kosher provided there are no additional ingredients (other than preservatives 201(sodium sorbate), 202(potassium sorbate), 220(Sulphur dioxide), 221(sodium sulphate), 223 (sodium meta bisulphate) or 224 (potassium meta bisulphate)) are all acceptable, pareve.
All dried Dates and Figs are kosher provided there are no other ingredients (including no oils) other than e201, 202, 220, 221, 223 or 224. They must be checked for insects, especially pressed figs.
Raisins and sultanas are invariably processed with oils and ingredients that require kosher certification and as such, only listed brands should be used.
Banana chips are not acceptable unless bearing a reliable hechsher.
Fruits including dates, that are “Produce of Israel” require reliable rabbinic supervision.
Glacé Fruit requires a reliable hechsher. |
| DRINKS (SEE NOTES) |
While normally The Kashrut Authority will not endorse products on the basis of ingredient labels, the nature of soft drinks and our experience with them is such that all brands of carbonated/ uncarbonated soft drinks - diet or otherwise may be considered acceptable provided the following conditions are met:
1, They do not contain grape juice, grape juice flavour, Colour 120 (cochineal or carmine), Colour 163 (anthocyanins - although some authorities permit it), Glycerol, Glycerin, Emulsifiers including 471 through 479. The sweetening agent is not fructose (fruit sugar) as this may be grape derived.
'Health' and 'Sports' drinks usually contain amino acids or other protein derivatives that may come from animal sources. Those containing ingredients with the suffix -anime or -ine should not be used unless with a reliable hechsher or unless listed here. However, if the only additional ingredients to regular soft drinks in a health drink are sucrose, dextrose, dextrin, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, or various phosphates, the product is acceptable. It is the view of The Kashrut Authority that in Australia, soft drinks fulfilling the above criteria can be considered Kosher lechatchilla. See in greater detail 'Kashrut Standards Today and General Notes'. All products listed have been individually investigated. |
| FISH (SEE NOTES) |
ONLY fish with fins and scales are kosher. Fresh fish must be recognisable as being of a kosher species. Jewish law therefore forbids the use of fillets which do not have the scaled skin attached and are not recognisable as being from a kosher species unless a Rabbinic supervisor is present or the customer supervises the filleting of such fish. The supervisor should ensure that the knives and boards used are thoroughly clean before cutting commences. Should there be any doubt as to whether the fillets or cutlets have been cut with a clean knife, then the fish must be thoroughly washed in cold water before use. It is forbidden to purchase minced fish which has not been minced under the supervision of a Rabbinic supervisor. |
| FISH PASTES (SEE NOTES) |
Fish Pastes are NOT ACCEPTABLE. They are usually mixed with non-kosher fish (e.g. shrimp) and contain animal fats. Caviar is NOT kosher. Only roe of kosher fish, e.g. salmon, are kosher when packed under reliable Rabbinic supervision. |
| FISH TINNED (SEE NOTES) |
No tinned fish can be considered acceptable unless bearing reliable Rabbinic endorsement. The list of tinned fish below is endorsed by The Kashrut Authority either as a result of its own investigations or the investigations of other reliable bodies. Some Halachic authorities do not permit the use of finely cut tinned fish which has no skin and is not recognisable as a Kosher species unless packed under continuous Rabbinic supervision. The Authority will, however, list those tinned fish endorsed even according to the more lenient opinion. Consult your Rabbi for advice. |
| FROZEN VEGETABLES (SEE NOTES) |
All plain uncooked frozen vegetables including chopped onions can be treated as acceptable and pareve. They must not contain either sauces or other additives. Pre - cooked, ready to eat frozen vegetables are NOT ACCEPTABLE. All cut and frozen potato chips or potato french fries are NOT ACCEPTABLE unless specifically listed or bearing a reliable hechsher. They are par-cooked or prepared with oils that are NOT ACCEPTABLE. Plain potatoes in a vegetable mix are acceptable provided oil is not listed as an ingredient. Only chopped frozen spinach may be considered acceptable. Whole frozen spinach leaves may not be used due to the inevitability of insect infestation. |
| FRUIT IN PLASTIC CUPS |
ONLY when bearing code commencing with 'R' or 'S' - Pareve. Code 'T---S' is NOT ACCEPTABLE. |
| FRYPAN CLEANERS (SEE NOTES) |
All alkaline or caustic frypan cleaners are acceptable. |
| GELATINE (SEE NOTES) |
Consultation with the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America `OU' has confirmed that as a general rule there is NO acceptable animal derived gelatine available as Kosher except those with strict Rabbinical supervision such as KOLATIN or ELYON brands . Gelatine products or products produced under Rabbinic supervision of the Rabbanut of Netanya, that are available, rely on leniencies not generally accepted. The Kashrut Authority does not allow their use. Products produced under the supervision of 'KO' of the US, whether containing gelatin or not are NOT ACCEPTABLE. AQUAGEL a non-mamalian (fish) gelatine is available bearing the supervision of the Manchester Beth Din. Pure agar agar is an acceptable substitute |
| GLUCOSE (SEE NOTES) |
Glucose Tablets are NOT ACCEPTABLE unless bearing a reliable hechsher |
| GLUTEN FREE FOODS |
The products are declared to be gluten free by their manufacturers. The Kashrut Authority assumes no responsibility for these claims. |
| GRAINS, KERNELS, PULSES AND LEGUMES (SEE NOTES) |
All brands of raw unprocessed grain, kernels, pulses and legumes are acceptable but must be checked for infestation prior to use. |
| HOSPITAL MEALS (SEE NOTES) |
Your meal is approved as kosher & mehadrin only when sealed with Diamond KA seals. Please watch carefully as sometimes additional non-kosher items are placed on the same trays. |
| JELLY (SEE NOTES) |
Imported jellies must bear a recognised Rabbinic Hechsher. 'Kosher' on products is NOT ACCEPTABLE. No Australian jelly crystals or gelatine are acceptable |
| JUICE - FOOD SERVICE AND INDUSTRIAL |
Bulk bottle cartons and 1000L palecons. |
| JUICES - FRUIT & VEGETABLE (SEE NOTES) |
There are a number of fruit juices that due to new labelling laws now list Flavours as an ingredient. The Kashrut Authority is of the view that these flavours do not pose a Kashrut problem. All brands of `Pure Fruit Juice' 'Coconut Water' and `Fruit Juice Drink' are acceptable EXCEPT those containing any of the following ingredients GRAPE JUICE, GRAPE JUICE FLAVOUR or NATURAL COLOUR 120 (Cochineal) or 163 (anthocyanin - although some authorities permit anthocyanin), Glycerol, Glycerin, Emulsifiers including 471 through 479. The sweetening agent is not fructose (fruit sugar) as this may be grape derived. There are a number of pure fruit juices and especially tropical juice blends that contain grape juice or grape juice flavours. Please read the product label carefully. Some Calcium enriched fruit juices contain whey powder. Please check ingredient listing and if whey is listed as an ingredient then those juices must be treated as Dairy (Not Chalav Yisrael). Juices that contain Omega-3 oils should not be used as they may contain non - kosher fish oils. All tomato juice must be labelled "Product of Australia" or "Made in Australia". "Packed for Australia" is NOT ACCEPTABLE. Use only products listed. Vegetable Juice - Use products listed. |
| LECITHIN (SEE NOTES) |
NOT ACCEPTABLE. Unless bearing a reliable hechsher |
| MATZAH |
Matzah is NOT Kosher for Passover unless specially marked. |
| MEAT AND SMALLGOODS (SEE NOTES) |
All meat and smallgoods must be produced under strict Rabbinical supervision. Butcher shops licensed by The Kashrut Authority produce all their meat products under the exclusive supervision of the Authority. All meat sold from these shops is porged from forbidden veins and forbidden fats, and is soaked and salted in accordance with Jewish Law. If Kosher consumers wish to purchase unkashered meat, they must request this specifically from the Mashgiach (supervisor). Warning: Please note that egg yolks, livers and brains are NOT kashered at the shop unless by special request. They must be kashered at home on the day of purchase. Egg yolks must be peeled, soaked for half an hour, salted and then placed on a perforated board for one hour and rinsed three times. Brains must be kashered with the same procedure. Livers must be kashered by grilling. They are rinsed, sprinkled lightly with coarse salt and then placed on a perforated rack or grate and grilled either over or under an open flame or electric element so that the blood can flow away freely. The kashering rack may only be used for kashering and not for anything else. After grilling, the livers must be rinsed again. If the above kashering does not take place, the eggs, brains and livers are not Kosher and may not be used. These details are brief and a competent Rabbi or The Authority should be consulted for further advice. All meat sold in Kashrut Authority supervised butcher shops is either kashered within 72 hours of shechita or soaked for half an hour within 72 hours of shechita. |
| MEDICINES - BABY, TODDLER, CHILDREN (SEE NOTES) |
Dymadon, Panadol Drops, Paralgin Jnr Elixir and Infant Drops and Tempra Drops - pain killers contain non-kosher ingredients but may be used for infants and children unable to take tablets. In all cases, the safety of the child is of paramount concern, and one must not refrain from using non-kosher medication when medically required. Panadol and Panadeine also contain non-kosher ingredients. Their nature is such that the medications are acceptable for use by both children and adults. |
| MILK (SEE NOTES) |
All ordinary plain unflavoured milk or skim milk in cartons or bottles either pasteurised or UHT are acceptable. The ingredient panel should list just milk or skim milk |
| NUTS & SEEDS (SEE NOTES) |
All raw unprocessed nuts & seeds with no additives or preservatives are Kosher. Nuts roasted in oil are NOT ACCEPTABLE, unless listed below or bears a reliable hechsher. Dry roasted peanuts in shells are acceptable. |
| OATS (SEE NOTES) |
All brands of unprocessed rolled oats, quick oats and one-minute oats are pareve & accepable |
| OILS (SEE NOTES) |
IT IS THE KASHRUT AUTHORITY POLICY THAT ALL CATERING AND BAKING ESTABLISHMENTS, RESTAURANTS AND CERTIFIED PRODUCTS USE ONLY KOSHER CERTIFIED & MEHADRIN OIL. There are two grades of vegetable and seed oil available in Australia. The first grade of oil is manufactured on equipment dedicated to vegetable oil or on equipment Kashered with boiling water in the normal Kashering fashion. These oils marked with a 'K' or a 'C' in the directory are considered Mehadrin. Some supermarket branded oils listed below are Mehadrin, and are identifiable by a 'C' before the use by date. The second grade of oil listed in the directory have been made on equipment that may have been used for animal oils, but have been Kashered with oil, (mai pairot), in an acceptable Halachic manner, and in accordance with longstanding practice in both Australia and Europe. These oils while not being Mehadrin, are kosher. Please see general notes. Use only oils indicated below. |
| PASTA (SEE NOTES) |
All fresh pasta products are NOT ACCEPTABLE. The following refers to dry pasta ONLY |
| POLENTA (SEE NOTES) |
All brands of unprocessed Polenta are acceptable |
| POPCORN (SEE NOTES) |
All brands of plain popping corn kernels are Pareve and Mehadrin |
| RICE PAPER |
NOTE: Rice paper whose ingredients are, rice flour, water and/or salt ONLY, are acceptable WITHOUT a hechsher. |
| SAUCES (SEE NOTES) |
General warning on tomato products - All items listed must be labelled "Product of Australia" or "Made in Australia". "Packed for Australia" is NOT ACCEPTABLE. |
| SHORTENING (SEE NOTES) |
All shortening produced in Australia other than those produced under Rabbinic Supervision are NOT ACCEPTABLE even if stated to be of vegetable origin |
| TAPIOCA (SEE NOTES) |
All brands of pure Tapioca are pareve |
| TOMATO PASTE, PULP & PUREE (SEE NOTES) |
Must be labelled "Product of Australia" or "Made in Australia". "Packed in Australia" is NOT ACCEPTABLE. Use ONLY products listed. |
| TOOTHPASTES, MOUTHWASHES & DENTAL FLOSS (SEE NOTES) |
Toothpaste is not food nor is it edible and according to many authorities does not need to be kosher. Therefore while not normally recommending ingredient listing as a means of determining the kashrut of a product, in the case of those wishing to be strict in regards to toothpaste it would be acceptable to rely on the ingredient listing. Current practice is that both active and inactive ingredients are now listed on toothpaste containers. The two main ingredients in toothpaste manufacture are either glycerine (glycerol) or sorbitol. Glycerine in Australia is usually not kosher whereas sorbitol is kosher. If glycerine is listed as an ingredient then those wishing to be strict would not use that toothpaste. However if sorbitol is the primary ingredient and glycerine is not mentioned then the product would be acceptable even for those wishing to be strict. |
| VEGETABLES (SEE NOTES) |
Fresh raw vegetables are kosher but should always be thoroughly checked for worms and insects. Due to the many additional laws pertaining to Israeli grown fruits and vegetables, only those imported Israeli products bearing a recognised Rabbinic Hechsher should be used. Asparagus - see special notes. Peeled garlic is NOT ACCEPTABLE. |
| VEGETABLES - JARS & TINNED (SEE NOTES) |
Must be labelled "Product of Australia" or "Made in Australia". "Packed for Australia" is NOT ACCEPTABLE. Use ONLY products listed. Note: Many companies employ various canneries. See also Tomato Products.
Asparagus is NOT ACCEPTABLE |
| VEGETABLES DRIED (SEE NOTES) |
See Tomatoes - Dried |
| VEGETABLES RAW FRESH (SEE NOTES) |
All raw fresh vegetables are Kosher but must be checked for worms and other insects before being cooked or eaten. Asparagus - see special notes. Peeled garlic is NOT ACCEPTABLE. |
