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To be certified kosher, a food has to be prepared in strict standards that satisfy the requirements of Jewish religious law. For people who only eat kosher food, this certification is important. The rigorous inspection and labelling process of kosher certification provide confidence that no one is accidentally breaking these laws, for instance serving a food that has undetected milk products alongside a dish with meat.
But would you be surprised to know that our dried blueberries and cranberries are also kosher certified? It may seem unusual because most people think of meat and dairy when they think of kosher laws. However, there are important laws that also apply to fruit. What are some of the requirements for a fruit to be certified kosher? And how can our kosher certification give you even more peace of mind about the fruit we offer? We're so glad you asked.
One of the most obvious issues with kosher fruits and vegetables is insects. While the Canadian Food Inspection Agency is fine with just a few insects in your food (let's not think about that too long), kosher rules are strict about insects. Not only are no insects allowed in the berries, products that use insects are also forbidden. So while some companies may colour their fruit with red carmine dye made from crushed cochineal beetles, we simply won't. We don't dye our fruit at all, preferring the vibrant natural colours that you can only get from perfectly ripe fruit. No insects allowed.
Dried fruit is often treated with a variety of products along the way. From chemical additives to lubricants to sweeteners, there is a whole world of things you can spray on fruit as it dries. For kosher certification, though, every step of the process must be inspected and approved. For example, many dried fruits have potassium sorbate added as a preservative. If that's the case, it becomes important to find out where the potassium sorbate came from, because there can be problems with it if it's sourced from China, based on what they use to make it. Complicated enough? We sidestep the issue neatly by never using chemicals or preservatives on our cranberries and blueberries. They're sweetened with non-GMO cane sugar, so there is no need to worry about things like corn syrup. Everything that comes in contact with our fruit is carefully chosen with the highest standards in every way.
Another issue that is checked in order to get a kosher certification is cross-contamination. In other words, it's all well and good if your product is perfectly kosher, but it doesn't help if the next product over is spilling non-kosher dust all over it. Maintaining a tidy shop not only makes mom happy, it ensures that what you get is what you want, with no surprises.
Although some businesses may find the demands of kosher certification to be too great to be worthwhile, this attention to detail is typical of how we work. Our goal is to deliver the very best fruit, in a portable form that is ready to accompany you on your next adventure. If an important part of your life is keeping kosher laws, please be assured that we are a safe source of high quality dried blueberries and cranberries. But even if kosher certification never crossed your mind, it's another example of our rigorous commitment to quality. From ecological benefits to keeping your health in mind, Wild Coast Fruit can be trusted for delicious cranberries and blueberries of the highest quality.