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>From today's OU Kosher Halacha Yomis</div>
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<p><strong><strong>Q. Do foods that are certified vegan require <em>hashgacha</em>? Since these foods cannot contain meat, fowl or fish, can it be assumed they are kosher?</strong></strong></p>
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<p>A. No, such an assumption is unfounded. First, although the manufacturer or restaurant claims to be vegan, it is
<em>halachically</em> questionable whether one may accept as fact claims made by companies for their own benefit. Igeros Moshe (Even Ha’ezer 5:42 and see also YD 1:55) writes that one can only rely on ingredient statements if the company would face government
fines if the information were found to be untrue.</p>
<p>Second, vegan foods can be non-kosher even if they do not contain meat, fowl, or fish. A vegan food may have a status of
<em>Bishul Akum</em> (foods cooked by a <em>nochri</em> that can be served to a distinguished guest and could not have been eaten raw) which is not kosher. Vegan foods may also contain non-kosher wine or wine vinegar, as well as fruits and vegetables that are
prone to infestation. Although many vegans will not eat insects, their standard for cleaning may not meet
<em>halachic</em> requirements. Finally, if the product was cooked with non-kosher utensils, it would not be acceptable even if all the ingredients were kosher.</p>
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