What are the answers based on?
So you want to know where I get my information? Fair enough, I respect that. The symbol checks go up against hundreds of certified kosher symbols from KosherQuest.org — agencies from coast to coast, Israel, Europe, Australia, you name it. The "no hechsher needed" stuff comes straight from the CRC list (November 2024) and the Star-K list (June 2025). These are foods so simple, so pure, so unprocessed that the big boys said — and I'm paraphrasing here — "relax, it's fine."
Does this replace my rabbi?
Are you kidding me? No. Absolutely not. This app is for the grocery store, not the beit din. If something's bothering you, something feels off, something smells funny — and not in a good way — call your rabbi. That's what rabbis are for. I'm just a guy with a database.
Does this work for Passover?
Oy, Pesach. No. Hard no. Both the CRC and Star-K lists say explicitly — not for Passover. The rules are different, they're stricter, and frankly they're above my pay grade. For Pesach, talk to your rabbi or get yourself a proper Pesach guide. Don't come crying to me if the chametz situation gets out of hand.
What symbols are in the database?
Two hundred and forty-three individual kosher certification symbols, my friend. From Alaska to Australia, from Kansas City to Kiryat Sanz. If it's on KosherQuest.org, it's probably in here. If it's not in here, it might still be kosher — I'm comprehensive, not omniscient.
What if the app says "no match" but I think it's kosher?
Listen to your gut. I mean it. A "no match" means I couldn't confirm it — it doesn't mean it's treif. Maybe it's a new agency, maybe the symbol changed, maybe I'm having an off day. If you think it's kosher and your rabbi thinks it's kosher, then what are you asking me for?
What does "no hechsher needed" mean?
It means the CRC and Star-K looked at this thing — plain flour, raw eggs, unflavored salt, whatever — and said, you know what, this is so basic, so simple, so clearly not a problem, that we're not even going to make you look for a symbol. Go. Eat. Live. Just make sure there are no additives and it's not from Israel, because Israel is a whole other conversation.
Who made this?
A volunteer from the BJC community. Made with a deep desire to not have to memorize hundreds of symbols or scan them against a PDF in the middle of the grocery store. It's free, it's imperfect, and frankly, for a volunteer project, it's not bad. Not bad at all.
Can I use this for foods from Israel?
For the "no hechsher needed" questions? No. Both lists say not for Israeli products — they've got their own whole thing going on over there, hashgachot, rabanut, it's complicated. For Israeli products, you want certification. Don't wing it.
This app is so bad, my mom could have made it.
Hey — first of all, your mom sounds talented. Second of all, if you've got suggestions, I want to hear them. And if you can do better, do it and share it with the community. We're all in this together, even when we're kvetching.
This app is so good, it's like my mom made it.
Wow. That's the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me. I'm not crying, you're crying. Thank you. Your mom raised you right.