Jello is not kosher because it contains gelatin, which is derived from the bones and hides of animals. Gelatin goes through an extensive process to extract the collagen, but it is still considered non-kosher. Here’s a quick rundown of why jello is not kosher:
What Makes Food Kosher?
For food to be kosher, it must meet certain requirements according to Jewish dietary laws. Some key kosher rules include:
- Certain animals like pigs and shellfish are forbidden
- Meat and dairy cannot be mixed
- Only certain parts of approved animals can be eaten
- Blood must be removed from meat through salting or roasting
- Grape products made by non-Jews may not be kosher
These laws come from the Torah, the Jewish holy scripture, as well as additional rabbinic laws and traditions. Keeping kosher is an important part of Jewish identity and a way to obey God’s rules for living.
What is Gelatin and Where Does it Come From?
Gelatin is a protein substance that comes from the boiled skin, tendons, ligaments and bones of certain animals. It acts as a thickening agent and gives jello its signature jiggly texture. The most common sources of gelatin are:
- Pigs
- Cows
- Fish
Pig-derived gelatin is not kosher because pigs are forbidden under Jewish dietary law. Cow-derived gelatin would be kosher if the cows are slaughtered according to kosher rules. Most mass-produced gelatin comes from pigs and cows that are not kosher, which makes mainstream jello and other products with gelatin non-kosher.
Why Isn’t All Gelatin Kosher?
For gelatin to be kosher, it must come from fish or ritually slaughtered kosher animals. The steps for kosher gelatin include:
- The animal must be a permissible species like cows, fish or kosher game.
- The animal must be slaughtered according to kosher ritual methods, by slicing the throat.
- The blood must be removed fully from the animal through salting or roasting the meat after slaughter.
- Only certain parts of the animal like skin and bones may be used for gelatin.
- The processing of the gelatin must take place under rabbinic supervision.
These special procedures make kosher gelatin difficult to find and more expensive than conventional gelatin. Mass manufacturers of jello and other products typically use non-kosher pork or cattle byproducts to produce gelatin. This makes mainstream jello and products with gelatin non-kosher.
Special Kosher Gelatin
There are some gelatin products made from fish that are pareve and kosher. Pareve means the item is neutral and neither meat nor dairy, so it can be combined with either. Types of kosher gelatin include:
- Fish gelatin from kosher fish species
- Vegetable gums like agar-agar derived from seaweed
- Kosher beef gelatin from properly slaughtered and processed cattle
However, these specialty kosher gelatin ingredients are typically only found in gelatin products certified kosher by rabbinic authorities. They are more expensive and not widely used by major food manufacturers.
Making a Kosher Jello Alternative
There are recipes to make jello-like desserts using kosher ingredients like kosher gelatin, agar-agar or fruit pectin. Home cooks can make their own kosher jello treats with these substitutes. Some kosher jello options include:
| Kosher Gelatin Alternative | Ingredients |
|---|---|
| Agar-Agar Kosher Jello | Agar-agar powder, sugar, water or juice, kosher flavorings |
| Pectin Kosher Jello | Fruit pectin, water, juice, sugar, kosher flavors |
| Gelatin Stars Kosher Jello | Kosher gelatin powder, water, sugar, kosher flavors |
With kosher gelatin alternatives, Jewish cooks can still enjoy jello and jiggly desserts that align with religious dietary laws.
Special Kosher Brands of Jello
There are some jello brand gelatins that do carry kosher certification and are pareve. These include:
- Jel Desserts – OU certified
- Lieber’s Jel – KOF-K certified
- Flavorite Brand Gelatin – U certified
However, most mainstream jello brand gelatin products do not have kosher certification. It is important to look for a hechsher or kosher symbol from a valid certification agency when buying jello.
Conclusion
Jello is generally not kosher because gelatin, its main ingredient, typically comes from non-kosher animal sources like pork. For gelatin to be kosher, it must come from kosher fish or kosher-slaughtered land animals, under rabbinic supervision. Most mass-produced gelatin doesn’t meet these standards, making conventional jello and products with gelatin non-kosher. However, there are specialty kosher gelatin products and alternatives to make jello desserts that conform to Jewish dietary laws.