Staying Kosher With Food Allergies

Having food allergies requires strict avoidance of allergens. Accidental ingestion of a particular food can be fatal. A person with multiple food allergens may end up with a very limited list of allowed foods. Keeping kosher involves additional dietary restrictions. The food awareness that kosher observance brings can actually make it easier to manage food allergies safely.

The Jewish laws of Kashrut prohibit the consumption of certain foods such as: pork, shellfish and insects. The mixture of dairy and meat is also prohibited. A Kashrut-observing grocery shopper cannot just put any item in his cart. They are careful to buy food with reliable kosher certification that conveys strict adherence to these laws. If this shopper also has to avoid certain foods due to food allergies, the list of allowed items in the shopping cart is further reduced.

Kosher observance actually makes it easier to navigate the world of food allergies. Being familiar with looking for a hechsher (reliable kosher symbol) on labels is good training for the extra label scrutiny that food-allergic diets require. Since kosher consumers are used to separating milk and meat, they are used to checking a label for a dairy designation. Dealing with dairy avoidance is easier if one already has a list of seemingly familiar (non-dairy) alternatives. Food allergy label reading should go a step further and become familiar with various names of an allergen. If one is looking to avoid dairy products, one should also avoid: casein, lactose and galactose (the list is partial). Familiarize yourself with the full spectrum of possible sources of the specific allergen.

Observance of Passover Kashrut offers additional advantages for those with food allergies. During the Easter holiday, leftover breads and pastries are prohibited.

While not all Kosher Passover foods are gluten-free, there are many that are. Passover products are also great for people who avoid soy and corn. Products marked Kintinyos-free have no soy or corn ingredients. Nuts and eggs (2 of the most common food allergens) are very common in Passover products. The consumption of Passover products requires increased vigilance for those allergic to eggs and nuts.

While keeping food kosher may offer some advantages to food allergy sufferers, it remains a challenge. Having food allergies means constant vigilance. Family gatherings, holiday celebrations, synagogue functions, and food-related activities at school can present significant risks.

The principles for navigating these events are the same as for anyone dealing with food allergies. Ingredients and preparation methods (for allergen cross-contamination) should always be checked before eating. Allergy medications should be readily accessible in case of accidental ingestion. With planning, preparation, and vigilance, kosher food can be prepared deliciously and safely.