Support
Kosher Foods & Scanner
We're here to help. Below you'll find answers to common questions. If you need further assistance, don't hesitate to reach out.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Kosher Foods & Scanner?
Kosher Foods & Scanner is a reference app for looking up the kosher status of everyday foods. Search for a food or browse by verdict to see whether it is generally kosher, needs certification, or is not kosher, each with a plain-language explanation. You can set your tradition, view Meat, Dairy, or Pareve and Passover information, build a grocery list, and use an optional camera scan to check packaged products.
What do the three verdicts mean?
Every food carries one of three verdicts:
- Generally Kosher: kosher in its natural, unprocessed form (for example, plain fruits and vegetables, or a fish with fins and scales).
- Needs Certification: permitted, but kosher only with a reliable certification, a hechsher (most packaged and processed foods, meat, and cheese).
- Not Kosher: forbidden, and no certification can change that (for example, pork or shellfish).
Why does the app show Meat, Dairy, or Pareve?
Kosher practice keeps meat and dairy separate, so each food is also marked Meat, Dairy, or Pareve (neither). A food's detail screen shows this alongside its verdict, and Passover information where it applies.
Can I set my tradition?
Yes. When you first open the app you choose a tradition (Ashkenazi, Sephardi, or Mizrahi), and you can change it later in the More tab. Where rulings genuinely differ between traditions, the app adjusts what it shows. For example, kitniyot such as rice is treated differently for Passover depending on your tradition.
How does the camera scan work?
Point your camera at a packaged product, and the app reads the label and any certification mark, then reports a kosher verdict with an explanation, its Meat, Dairy, or Pareve type, Passover information, and any certification-sensitive additives it notices (such as gelatin or rennet). Your first 3 scans are free; after that, unlimited scanning requires a subscription. The scanner reports the verdict and certification; it does not replace reading the hechsher on the package.
What does the subscription include, and how much is it?
The entire food list, search, browsing, the glossary, and the grocery list are free, along with your first 3 camera scans. Unlimited scans are available for $29.99 per year. You can restore purchases or manage your subscription from the More tab.
How do I use the grocery list?
Tap "Add to Grocery List" on a food to save it for shopping, then check items off as you go. Your list is saved on your device between sessions and is managed from the Grocery tab.
Is my privacy protected?
Yes. The app does not require an account and does not collect personal information such as your name or email. The camera scan uses an anonymous session; scan photos are stored on your device, and during a scan the photo is sent to a third-party AI service to generate your result. You can erase your scan history at any time with "Delete My Data" in the More tab. See our Privacy Policy for details.
Is this a substitute for a rabbi or a certification agency?
No. Kosher Foods & Scanner is an educational reference that follows a mainstream Orthodox baseline and flags where communities differ. It is not a substitute for a rabbi or a kosher-certification authority. For any packaged product, the final word is the hechsher on the package. When a question genuinely matters, ask your rabbi.
I found a bug or have a feature request
We'd love to hear from you. You can email us directly using the contact information below.
Contact Us
If you can't find what you're looking for, reach out directly:
We typically respond within 1–2 business days.