Policies from the current administration are likely to affect the kosher consumer and the number of kosher products in the market. These include restricting artificial colors, only allowing natural colors and encouraging the use of non-seed oils.

The proposed ban on artificial colors has shaken up the food industry. Artificial colors are cheaper, more available, more colorful and more stable than the currently available natural alternatives. A representative of a color company at the Northeast Institute of Food Technologists trade show earlier this year told me that currently there are not enough plant-based colors to replace the artificial colors being used. A natural red color that replaces FD&C Red 3 and FD&C Red 40, two of the currently approved artificial colors, that are particularly used in products that need a bright, stable red or pink hue is carmine, a coloring made from cochineal, which is obtained from the South American insect Dactylopius coccus. This dye is not kosher according to most authorities, and when used affects the kosher status of products. Therefore, products which are now certified as kosher that switch to using carmine, will no longer be certified as kosher. From www.supplysidefbj.com: The daunting challenge facing food manufacturers is finding natural pigment substitutes made from plants, fruits, insects and possibly precision fermentation (often involving genetic modifications, which are considered kosher by most authorities).

Enocyanin, a grapeskin derived purplish-red color, also has kashrus concerns. The use of grape juice, generally non-kosher, to reduce added sugars would also affect the kosher status of products.

Collagenand gelatin, which are typically made from skin and bones, is another trending ingredient. Most of the collagen and gelatin on the ingredient market is not accepted as kosher, although there is some made from fish. There may also soon be some from precision fermentation.

MAHA is also encouraging companies to use animal fats such as tallow derived from beef which is not available as kosher, instead of seed oils that are almost always certified as kosher in the United States. The other oil that they are encouraging is avocado oil which is expensive. (See www.fooddive.com)

Hopefully, companies will value their kosher and vegan markets and make the effort to use kosher-friendly ingredients which will also satisfy MAHA requirements.