Salmon is one of the most beloved fish worldwide known for its rich and tender pink flesh. However when it comes to keeping kosher, does salmon require rabbinical certification to confirm it meets the Jewish dietary laws?
There is some debate among kosher authorities regarding the kosher status of salmon purchased without certification. Let’s take a detailed look at the issues involved to understand whether uncertified salmon can be considered kosher.
The Biblical Signs of a Kosher Fish
According to the Torah, for a fish to be kosher it must have fins and scales Salmon easily meets these criteria, possessing clear fins and thin, overlapping scales covering its skin
So at first glance, salmon seems to inherently meet the biblical requirements for a kosher fish. But there are some additional considerations under Rabbinic law.
The Issue of Skinless Fillets
There is a rabbinic prohibition against consuming fish fillets where the identifying scales have been removed, unless a Jew witnessed the filleting to confirm the scales were present.
Therefore, when salmon is sold skinless, with no scales visible, an issue arises. Without the skin, there is no way to visually identify the fish as kosher.
This would seem to indicate that skinless salmon fillets require certification to be considered kosher. But some poskim (Jewish legal experts) disagree, as we’ll see next.
Can Color Replace Scales as Proof of Kashrut?
Most salmon species have a distinctive pinkish-orange flesh unlike any other fish. This unusual hue comes from carotenoids in the salmon’s natural diet.
Some Orthodox rabbis, including Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, hold that the unique color of salmon flesh can stand in place of scales as proof of its kosher status. Since no non-kosher fish has naturally pink flesh, they argue we can rely on color alone as clear evidence the fish is salmon.
However, this ruling is not universally accepted. Others argue the pink color could potentially be artificially introduced in non-kosher fish. They reject any “new” signs of kashrut beyond the Talmudic criteria of fins and scales.
The Issue of Farm-Raised Salmon
An additional issue arises with farmed salmon. Since they lack the diverse diet of wild salmon, farmed varieties are fed synthetic astaxanthin to turn their flesh pink.
Some poskim raise concerns that this artificial coloring process could potentially be mimicked in non-kosher species. This further demonstrates the controversy over relying on color instead of scales to determine kashrut.
Policies of Major Kashrut Organizations
Among the major kosher agencies, there are some differing policies regarding uncertified salmon:
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The Orthodox Union (OU) permits all raw salmon without certification based on its natural color.
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The Star-K only allows skinless fillets under rabbinic supervision. They require certified salmon to be filleted with a mashgiach observing.
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The London Beth Din (KLBD) allows whole salmon and fillets with skin, but prohibits skinless fillets without certification.
Individual Orthodox rabbis also have authority to make their own determinations for their communities. Some are strict, while others are lenient.
Practical Implications
So what does this mean for kosher consumers who want to enjoy salmon while respecting Jewish dietary laws? Here are some implications to consider:
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If your rabbi allows, you may purchase uncertified salmon, including skinless fillets.
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For extra stringency, choose salmon with the skin and scales intact.
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Avoid skinless cuts without certification to be safest.
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Opt for certified salmon when in doubt or if following a strict standard.
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Inquire about the source of any salmon when dining out.
While the debates continue, those who seek certification have many reliable salmon options including fresh fillets, smoked slices, canned products, and whole fish from kosher suppliers. With quality choices available, you can enjoy salmon to even the strictest kashrut standards.
The issues surrounding uncertified salmon are complex with diverse rabbinic opinions. Each person should consult their local Orthodox rabbi for guidance to clarify the approach that best suits their level of observance. By learning about Jewish dietary laws and asking questions, we can all partake in the mitzvah of keeping kosher in a meaningful way.
Stores with Kosher Supervision
Instores or companies that are under STAR-K supervision, the fish are filletedwith a mashgiach present, and therefore one may buy any fish fillet without anyfurther concerns.
Skinless Fillet from a Non-Kosher Store or Source
Purchasingskinless fish either from a store that is not kosher supervised, or that wasnot sealed in a package bearing a reliable kosher symbol, is not permissible. STAR-Kdoes not consider the color of a fish alone (e.g., the red color of salmon) tobe a valid siman kashrus.
Is Salmon Kosher? – Jewish Teachings For All
FAQ
Why is salmon not kosher?
According to kosher dietary laws (kashrut), fish must have both fins and scales to be considered kosher. This means that fish like salmon, tuna, and cod are kosher, while shellfish such as shrimp, crab, and lobster are not kosher because they do not meet these criteria.
Is salmon with color added kosher?
Although these items are added to the feed and not to the fish’s flesh, the American law requires that salmon fed these items be labeled as having “color added”. Such feed does not pose a kashrus issue because the materials are inherently kosher, and because they are digested by the fish.
Does Costco have kosher, salmon?
Atlantic Kosher Salmon Fillet, 1.4 kg average weight* | Costco.
Does fish need kosher certification?
… Kosher tradition for considering birds (and according to many authorities, even animals) as Kosher species, no such Halachik requirement exists for fish
Is salmon kosher?
Salmon fits into this category and may therefore be served in a Jewish home. Unlike meat or fowl, fish does not have to be slaughtered or salted. In general, when purchasing fish from an individual or establishment that is not overseen by a kosher agency, you need to see the scales still attached to confirm that you are indeed getting kosher fish.
Can you buy salmon from a non kosher store?
If you are purchasing fresh salmon from a non-kosher establishment, ask the store employee to clean the knife well and then cut your slice of fish on a fresh sheet of paper. You should then carefully wash the part of the fish that has been cut in water that is no warmer than room temperature.
Do kosher items need a hechsher certification?
Due to the current situation, it would be beneficial to know which items are inherently kosher and do not require kosher certification or symbol. We hereby present a short list of these items; a more extensive ‘Does It Need A Hechsher list’ can be found on our website. This list can be used even under normal circumstances.
How do you know if a fish is kosher?
In determining the kosher status of fish, identity is critical. There are two ways to identify a kosher fish: 1. By removing a kosher scale from the skin. (The consumer need not personally remove the scale. The consumer only needs to see the scale removed and confirm that the skin did not rip from having the scale removed.) 2.
Why is salmon unique?
According to many, salmon is unique since its distinct pinkish color is sufficient proof that it is indeed salmon you are purchasing.