Kosher describes food and food preparation that conform to Jewish dietary law, known as kashrut. The rules address permitted ingredients, animal slaughter, processing, and the separation of meat and dairy, among other requirements.
Some foods and ingredients need reliable kosher certification because their production involves ingredients or equipment that cannot be assessed from the product name alone. Different communities and certifying authorities may apply different standards, so people who keep kosher follow the guidance relevant to their practice.
Kosher does not mean vegetarian, allergen-free, or automatically interchangeable with halal. A kosher label should not be used as a substitute for checking ingredient and allergen information.