How to Learn Whether Food Is Certified

Food products need a special certification, known as a hecsher , to be considered kosher for consumers. There are only a certain number of organizations worldwide that provide these recognized certifications. The following is a list of some of the more prominent kosher certifying organizations:

* Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations, 45 West 36th St., New York 10018; (213) 965-9129 or (212) 564-8330.

* Organized Kashrus Laboratories, P.O. Box 218, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11204; (718) 756-7500.

* Kosher Supervision Service, 1444 Queen Anne Road, Teaneck, N.J. 07666; (818) 368-2254 or (201) 837-0500.

* Vaad Hakashrus of Baltimore, 7504 Seven Mile Lane, Baltimore 21208; (301) 484-4110.

* Montreal Vaad Hair, 5491 Victory Ave., Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

* National Kashrus Laboratories, 1 Route 306, Monsey, N.Y. 10952; (914) 352-4448.

* Kehila De Los Angeles, 186 N. Citrus Ave., Los Angeles 90030; (213) 935-8383.

* Vaad Harabonim of Greater Detroit and Merkaz, 17071 W. Ten Mile Road, Southfield, Mich. 48075; (313) 559-5005.

* Vaad Harabonim of Massachusetts, 117 Tremont Ave., Boston 02111; (617) 426-6268.

* Beth Din of Khal Adath Jeshurun (Breuer’s), 8593 Bennett Ave., New York 10133; (212) 923-3582.

* Canadian Jewish Congress of Toronto, 4600 Bathhurst St., Downsview, Ontario, Canada; (416) 635-9550.

* Denver Assn. of Intensive Torah Education, 156 Winona Court, Denver 80204.

For information, contact Rabbi Eliezer Eidlitz at 12732 Chandler Blvd., North Hollywood 91607; fax number (818) 980-6908.