Nanny Joe

Q: Can I rely on kosher symbols to determine if a product is milk-free? The Jewish community uses a system of product markings to indicate whether a food is kosher, or in accordance with Jewish dietary rules.

A:

There are two kosher symbols that can be of help for those with a milk allergy: a “D,” or the word “dairy,” on a label next to “K” or “U” (usually found near the product name) indicates presence of milk protein, and a “DE” on a label indicates the product was produced on equipment shared with dairy.

If the product contains neither meat nor dairy products it is “pareve” (parev, parve). Pareve-labeled products indicate that the products are considered milk-free according to religious specifications. Be aware that under Jewish law, a food product may be considered pareve even if it contains a very small amount of milk. Therefore, a product labeled as pareve could potentially have enough milk protein in it to cause a reaction in a milk-allergic individual.

Q: Is goat milk a safe alternative to cow milk?

A:

Goat’s milk protein is similar to cow’s milk protein and may, therefore, cause a reaction in milk-allergic individuals. It is not a safe alternative.