[Avodah] Food Coloring and Product Labels

[Prof. Levine]

There are those who maintain that one can determine the kashrus of a 
product by simply reading the ingredients listed on its label.  Rav 
Y. Belsky holds that this is not the case in the situations he deals 
with below.

The following is from the book Halachic Responsa from the Desk of 
Hagaon Harav Yisroel HaLevi Belsky, shlita. I think that it is clear 
from what he writes below that he paskens that one should not in 
general rely on the list of ingredients on a label, but stick as much 
as possible to products that have reliable hashgachos.  However, 
according to Rav Belsky, sugar is one product that does not need 
supervision. YL

Pages 86 - 87

   FOOD COLORINGS
Do all products containing food colorings require proper kosher certification?
ANSWER
Any product containing food colorings, even in small amounts, is 
potentially problematic. The Pri Megadim 17 maintains that if food 
contains a non-kosher ingredient that was less that one-sixtieth of 
the total volume, and would ordinarily be nullified (batul) by virtue 
of taste, it would still not be considered batul if it imparts color 
to the food (chazusah d'tarfus), and the mixture would be forbidden 
for consumption.

By purchasing only those products with proper kosher certification, 
one may be assured that all ingredients, including the colorings, are 
scrutinized to ensure their permissibility, When inspecting a product 
for certification, a kashrus agency will be on the lookout for 
specific food colorings that are known to be non-kosher and are 
therefore entirely unacceptable.

Carmine red: A bright red food coloring known as carmine is made from 
crushed beetles, and is, of course, non-kosher. Carmine can be 
distinguished from other red dyes because its color does not dissolve 
or run, and is a very bright red color. Maraschino cherries are 
usually colored by a cheaper variety of dye that can be identified by 
the telltale ring of red dye in the surrounding food. In contrast, 
fruit-cocktail cherries dyed with carmine will never leave any mark 
on adjacent food. Despite this difference, no one should judge for 
himself whether or not the red coloring is kosher. Hashgachah is required.

Enocianina: There is also a brownish-purple food coloring, known as 
enocianina, which is mainly produced in Italy. It is a forbidden 
derivative of the grape skins used in manufacturing non-kosher wine.

Other food dyes: 'The above dyes are used to produce red, purple, and 
brown colored food products. Any product containing these colors is 
therefore suspect. Other food dyes and colorings are usually kosher, 
and do not generally pose kashrus issues.

Some people are under the impression that natural coloring is kosher 
and that the only problem is with artificial coloring. This 
argument  can be easily refuted by pointing out that beetles, cows 
and grapes are all completely natural.

 From pages 104 -105

CHECKING PRODUCT LABELS

Can a person assume that packaged products usually bearing a kosher 
symbol, are kosher even without the symbol on the package?

ANSWER
Non-kosher runs: If the package does not have a kosher symbol, it was 
not made under supervision. The kosher consumer must always beware of 
changes in supermarket products. Even familiar products known to bear 
a kosher symbol can sometimes appear in anon-kosher variety, without 
the tell-tale kosher symbol on the label. While no supervising agency 
should allow a company to market a non-kosher batch of a usually 
kosher product, the consumer must keep in mind that things like this 
do happen inadvertently from time to time.

Different varieties: A different problem, one that rests squarely 
upon the shoulders of the consumer, is the appearance of a new 
version or flavor of a familiar product. While the old versions might 
have kosher certification, there is no reason to assume that 
something new is also certified. Therefore, any new product must be 
scrupulously examined for kashrus before being served. Only after it 
is clear that the package   bears a reliable kosher symbol should the 
consumer allow himself to partake of the new item.

The following from page 105 of this sefer deals with the question of 
the kashrus of sugar.

SUGAR
Is it true that plain sugar needs no kosher supervision? Does this 
also apply to the small, unlabeled packets of sugar available in 
hotels and restaurants?

ANSWER

All regular white sugar is produced using processes that are standard 
throughout the industry, and there are no additives. There is no need 
for kosher supervision for year-round use. Even small, unlabeled 
packets are fine.





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