Q

I often see food packages marked with a plain K on the package. Are these under OK supervision? If they are not, are they under any kosher supervision at all?

A plain K does not indicate OK supervision. In fact, it does not necessarily indicate any kosher certification at all. While a company may not put the OK symbol or any other registered kosher symbol on its packaging without permission, the K alone is not a registered symbol.

The K means that someone in the company attests that the product is kosher. This attestation may be made because the product is actually supervised by a reputable kashrus agency. Alternatively, it may be that there truly are no non-kosher ingredients in the product. Or it may represent no more than the judgment of someone in the company (for example, a plant manager) who somehow believes he or she has mastered the intricacies of kosher production and law, and thus can determine an item's kosher status (a ludicrous notion).

The kosher consumer must exercise extreme caution concerning an item marked with a K. Do not assume that the product is kosher. Call the company and ask whether the product carries kosher certification, and if so, whose certification. Ask the company to send you a copy of the kosher letter. Then, with the guidance of your rabbi, you can conclude whether to use the product.

Because the plain K has been the cause of considerable confusion, the OK encourages companies under our supervision to display the OK symbol on their packaging.

At times you may observe the symbol of a kashrus agency on an item and the presence of the symbol raises a question in your mind. Here too you should call the company and ask for a copy of the kosher letter.

I have noticed that Snapple Diet Cranberry Raspberry Cocktail has an OK symbol. The ingredients include "grape juice concentrate for color." I had heard that the OK does not certify Snapple products containing grape juice. Please clarify the status of this product.

First, please note that while most Snapple products are certified kosher by the OK, there are some Snapple items not under OK supervision. All Snapple products approved by the OK carry the OK symbol. Please check the label before purchasing a Snapple product.

The kosher certification issued by the OK to Snapple lists each certified product and then states: "This certification does not include grape juice products or any products containing a grape derivative (except for the above)." The "exception" noted in the certification is Snapple Diet Cranberry Raspberry Cocktail (marked on the certificate with an asterisk), which does contain grape juice, yet is under OK supervision. The grape juice concentrate in this product only is made at a facility certified kosher by the OK.

How do I know whether vitamins and medicines are kosher? I have heard different opinions regarding the need for supervision of these.

The vitamins that are certified by the OK are listed in the Kosher Food Guide, at the back of this magazine. The general question of vitamins and medicines that do not have kosher certification is complex, involving a number of factors. The physical or emotional condition of the individual must be assessed. It may be that the individual must take medicine even if it is not kosher; or his condition may not be that severe. Once the individual's situation is evaluated, the kashrus of the vitamins or medicines comes into play. Here numerous issues are relevant, including (but not limited to) whether the vitamins or medicines are chewed or swallowed and whether they taste good. Therefore, in all cases pertaining to vitamins and medicines that do not carry a hechsher, a competent Orthodox rabbi must be consulted; he will make a determination for each case.