Staying kosher with food allergies

Staying kosher with food allergies

Food allergies require strict avoidance of allergens. Accidental ingestion of a certain food can be fatal. A person with multiple food allergens may have a very limited list of acceptable foods. Keeping kosher involves additional dietary restrictions. The food awareness brought about by kosher observance can actually enable safe management of food allergies.

The Jewish laws of kashrut prohibit the consumption of certain foods such as pork, shellfish and insects. Mixing dairy products and meat is also prohibited. A grocery shopper observing the laws of kashrut cannot simply add an item to his or her shopping cart. They make sure to purchase food with reliable kosher certification that ensures strict compliance with these laws. If that shopper also needs to avoid certain foods due to food allergies, the list of allowed cart items will be further reduced.

Kosher observation makes navigating the world of food allergies easier. Learning about labels for a hechsher (reliable kosher symbol) is good training for the additional label checking required for food allergic diets. Because kosher consumers are used to separating milk and meat, they are used to checking a label for a milk label. Dealing with dairy avoidance is easier when you already have a list of known alternatives to pareve (non-dairy products). Reading food allergy labels should be taken a step further by familiarizing yourself with different names of an allergen. If you want to avoid dairy products, you should also avoid: casein, lactose and galactose (list is partial). Familiarize yourself with the full spectrum of possible sources of the specific allergen.

Observance of Passover kashrut provides additional benefits for those with food allergies. Leavened bread and cakes are prohibited during the Passover holiday.

While not all Kosher for Passover foods are gluten-free, there are many that are. Passover products are also great for people who avoid soy and corn. Products labeled Kintinyos-free do not contain any soy or corn ingredients. Nuts and eggs (2 of the most common food allergens) are very common in Passover products. Consuming Passover products requires increased vigilance for those allergic to eggs and nuts.

While staying kosher can offer some benefits for those with food allergies, it is still challenging. Food allergies mean constant vigilance. Family gatherings, holiday celebrations, synagogue events, and school-related dining activities can pose significant risks.

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

Inspired by Tamar Varga