What is the difference between kosher and non-kosher hot dogs?

Answer

As with all Kosher foods, to make them kosher, the production of the hotdogs has been been overseen by a rabbinical authority. They check to make sure that all of the ingredients are Kosher and that the machinery being used has not been used for non - kosher products without being properly cleaned. Typically, Kosher hotdogs are made from beef, turkey or chicken. In the US and Canada, Kosher Hotdogs are generally labeled as such.

One important thing to keep in mind is that there are plenty of "kosher-style" hot dogs. Without valid certification, this doesn't mean anything at all.

Note: Many people have the misconception that all Kosher food must be blessed by a Rabbi. This is incorrect. The Rabbi will oversee the production of the food and make sure that all of the ingredients are kosher.

General Kosher Information: The way the animal was dispatched plays a large part in the Kosher caertification. It must be dispatched "humanely", which in the case of beef means that the animal had it's throat slit to kill it as quickly and painlessly as possible. Also, the cow must be hung to "exsanguinate" (drain the blood) for a period of several days while being heavily salted to remove impurities. It must be produced in a plant where a Mashgiach (a specially-trained Rabbi) oversees every step of the production. He does not need to "bless" it. Think of him more as a health inspector than a religous official. And, with apologies to the previous contributor, chicken can be kosher. Again, getting kashrut certification depends on how it was kept, what it was fed, what sort of supplements it was given, etc. It is a very detail-oriented process, which accounts for the higher price of kosher foods.

First answer by ID407240693. Last edit by Jayrusalem. Contributor trust: 650 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 50 [recommend question]