In my experience over the past twenty years in Kashrus, I have come to expect a multitude of questions concerning the Kashrus status of such food items as Slurpees, M&M’s, Nabisco products etc. However, in more recent years the tide of these inquiries has changed to include concerns about "which vitamins and supplements need Hashgacha"? It is widely known that in our times many Kosher consumers have become very health conscience and are therefore not only concerned about what foods are available in order to satisfy their sweet tooth but also which foods and supplements can they purchase in order to fulfill their quest for a healthier body. In addition, many people have cultivated a renewed interest in alternative medicines (such as herbs and other supplements) to accompany traditional medicine in seeking cures for many maladies.

    People often assume that vitamins and medicines share the same Halachos (Jewish laws). This is certainly not the consensus of our Poskim (Rabbis who interpret Halacha). Not long ago, I had the opportunity to discuss this complex issue with Reb Elyashiv, Shlita, who was very clear in his opinion. He stated to me that in most cases, vitamins most definitely need a reliable Hashgacha in order to be considered usable by the kosher consumer. The exception to this, of course, is in the case where these vitamins or supplements are necessary for medical purposes and a kosher substitute cannot be found. In such a casae, one must ask a competent Rav as to what to do, as with all medicines. Because, however, most people take vitamins or supplements in order to increase their overall health and well-being, not necessarily to cure an illness, we give it the status of food and therefore it must have a reliable Hashgacha.

    Looking back in history, we can see a pattern of civilizations turning to the use of vitamins and supplements as a form of preventative medicine. In the late 1800’s, in China, when metal or porcelain rollers replaced the stone rollers for the hulling of rice, they found that although the rice now had a more polished and appealing "look", it lacked the nutricious hull. As a result of this new polished rice there was an outbreak of beri-beri in China shortly after this invention. Doctors then had to find a way to replace this missing nutrient. They discovered the "vita mine". "Vita" for life and "amine" for nitrogen. This is where many feel the manufactured vitamin had its official inauguration.

    In our times we have additional reasons for the need to add vitamins and supplements to our diets. Many feel that our environment, including many food products are contaminated with toxins or artificial additives. Many foods are processed in such a way that robs them of many of their natural and essential nutrients. Also many foods today have been treated with such things as hormones, pesticides growth enhancers as well as antibiotics which many feel pose a health risk to the consumer. In order to save precious time, people often opt for these processed foods rather than a more natural diet. Therefore, many are now turning to manufactured vitamins and supplements to provide these essential nutrients that have been stripped from our basic foods. As a matter of fact, so many nutrients have been removed from the food that we eat today that the FDA has required much of it replaced artificially in these food products in order to consider these foods "wholesome" for consumption. Since we rely so heavily on the additives or intake of vitamins today, we must be aware of the definitions of vitamins and supplements and understand their sources.

    The definition of "Vitamin" is any one of several essential organic substances your body needs in small amounts for normal functions." The definition of a "Dietary Supplement" as defined by federal law is "something that you use to supplement your diet, rather than as a whole food in itself." This may be consumed in pill, tablet, capsule or liquid form and qualifies as a vitamin, mineral, herb or other amino acid.

    The definition of "Homeopathic Medicine" derives from the Greed words "Homeo" (similar) and "Pathos" (suffering from diseases). It comes from the theory that "like cures like"., which means that in order to cure symptoms a person should be exposed to the same type of symptoms from an outside source. This theory was originated by Dr. Samuel Hahneman in the late 1700’s. The one rememdy that most closely fits the symptoms of a person’s medical problem is called the "Similimum". One of the more unusual aspects of homeopathy is that the dosage is usually extremely diluted, to the point that many doctors feel that, in fact, it is quite useless as a cure. Most remedies are diluted down to 30X, or a strength of 1/10 multiplies by itself 30 times. That translates to mean that one drop of the active substance is diluted in nine drops of alcohol or water, then a drop of the new solution is further diluted by nine drops and so on, 30 times. It has been estimated that a 30X dilution is the equivalent of one drop in a container more than 50 times the size of the earth. This will often make the problematic ingredient in such a dosage "Botel" (annulled) from a Halachic standpoint.

   It is prudent for the kosher consumer to recognize and be aware of the many materials and derivitives in the use of the manufacture of vitamins and supplements that pose a real halachic issue pertaining to the laws of kashrus. A kosher consumer should be concerned with such things as the raw ingredients, fillers, binders, coating agents, flavors and even the manufacturing process itself in the production of vitamins and supplements. In addition, liquids can often contain glycerin, which is often derived form an animal source as well as capsules and coated pills that may contain gelatin. Even when a nutritional additive may be kosher in itself, it may be processed on equipment that might have kashrus problems. The following is a guide for some of these inherent problems and for the need to purchase these products with proper kosher supervision.

a.) Alcohol - Sometimes added to some vitamins or supplements can come from a non-kosher wine solvent.

b.) Vitamin A & D - Source can be from shark oil

c.) Brandy - Often used in flower-derived remedes from non-kosher wine source.

d.) Binders, Coating Agents - Gelatin is often used.

e.) Vitamin B - May come from pork liver.

f.) Calcium - May be derived from oyster shells

g.) Emulsifiers - Can come from whey, oils, lactose (is often used as the base for a large percentage of prescription drugs)

h.) Flavoring - Can contain grape juice etc.

i.) Glucosamine Sulfate, Cartilage Extract - Cartilage extracts including purified chondroitin, sulfate, sea cucumber, green liped mussel and shark cartilage are popular nutritional supplements.

j.) Magnesium Stearate - A lubricant from non-kosher animals (although it can be derived from a kosher source).

k.) Pancreatic Enzyme - Derived from a hog pancreas

l.) Royal Jelly - Derived directly from the queen bee’s secretion, which is not kosher (unlike pure bee pollen, propolis or beeswax which are kosher).

m.) Zinc - May be derived from liver or shellfish.

    It is important to note that all of the above can also be produced synthetically, thereby assuring the kashrus status of some of these products.. It is therefore, obvious that in order for the kosher consumer to purchase vitamins and supplements with the utmost confidence, a reliable hashgacha is required on these products. Fortunately, today, there are a large and growing number of companies that manufacture a wide variety of these kosher vitamins and supplements.

Vitamin A - Helps to maintain healthy skin, eyes, bones, hair and teeth

Beta Carotene - An antioxidant that is converted, as needed, by the body to Vitamin A

Vitamin D - Helps in absorbing and metabolizing calcium and phosphorus that aid in strengthening bones and teeth.

Vitamin E - An antioxidant that helps protect the cell membranes, lipoproteins, fats and vitamin A from destructive oxidation. Also helps protect red blood cells

Vitamin K - Necessary for proper clotting of blood.

Vitamin C - An antioxidant. Inhibits the formation of nitrosamines (a suspected carcinogen).

Also important for maintaining strength and functioning of bones, teeth, collagen and blood vessels as well as enhancing iron absorption and red blood cell formation.

Vitamin B-1 (Thiamine) - It releases energy from foods and is also needed for the normal functioning of the nervous system.

Vitamin B-2 (Riboflavin) - Important in releasing energy from foods as well as aiding in the maintenance of skin, the nervous system and proper mental functioning.

Vitamin B-6 - It releases energy from foods and plays a role in protein and fat metabolism. It is also important for the functioning of red blood cells.

Vitamin B-12 - Necessary for a healthy nervous system as well as preventing pernicious anemia. It is also involved in synthesizing DNA

Biotin - Releases energy from food and plays a role in the metablism of amino acids. Very important for normal hair production and growth.

Pantothenic Acid - It releases energy from foods and is also needed for normal functioning of the adrenal glands.

Folic Acid - Is necessary for proper red blood cell formation. Also plays a vital role in the metabolism of fats, amino acids, DNA and RNA. Last, it is needed for proper cell division and protein synthesis.

Choline - It prevents fat accumulation in the liver.

Inositol - It is involved in calcium mobilization

Calcium - Builds bones and teeth as well as involvement in nerve transmission and muscle contraction.

Iodine - Is needed for the proper functioning of the thyroid gland and the production of thyroid hormones.

Iron - It prevents anemia and transports oxygen through the body.

Magnesium - Is needed in many of the enzyme systems in the body and is essential for proper heartbeat and nerve transmission.

Phosphorus - Helps maintain strong bones and teeth and is necessary for muscle and nerve function.

Potassium - An electrolyte in the body necessary to maintain fluid balance, proper heartbeat and nerve transmission.

Selenium - An antioxidant and helps protect Vitamin E

Silicon - Necessary for proper bone structure and growth

Zinc - A part of insulin, necessary for blood sugar control. Also needed for sensations of taste and hearing as well as playing an important part in the healing of wounds

Dynamic Health Laboratories (O/U, O/K, Udvarer)  Brooklyn, N.Y.  (718) 858-0100

Erewhon Natural Foods  7660 Beverly Blvd.  Los Angeles, Ca.  (213) 937-0777

First Quality Health (FQH) Liquid Vitamins (O/U)  1274-49th St. #140  Brooklyn, N.Y. 11219  (718) 437-4900  Fax: (718) 437-7246

Freeda Pharmacueticals (O/U)  36 E. 41st St.  New York, N.Y. 10017  (212) 685-4980  Website: www.Freedavitamins.com 

Galilee Herbal  Website: www.Ghr.com 

Genisoy Vitamins  Website: www.Genisoy.com 

Grow Industries (Re-Natured Vitamins - Kof K)  195 Kenneth St.  Hackensack, N.J. 07601  (201) 342-2007  Website: Growco@aol.com 

Hi Tech Pharmacal Co.  Amityville, N.Y. 11701

Kosher Care (O/U)  1 (800) 899-3116

Kosher Vitamin Express  Mail Order Vitamin Company  1 (800) 645-1899

Kosher Vitamins. com (Website for many kosher vitamins)  Website: www.kosherviamins.com 

Koshervitaminsforless.com  Website: www.Koshervitaminsforless.com 

Landau Vitamins  460 Kent Ave.  Brooklyn N.Y 11211  (718) 599-1900

Maxi Health (O/U)  1309 Avenue U  Brooklyn, N.Y. 11229  (718) 787-1235  Website: www.Maxihealth.com 

Mead Johnson Laboratories  Evansville, In. 47721  (812) 429-5000  (800) 222-9123

Naturesanswer  Website: www.Naturesanswer.com 

Naturesway  Website: www.Naturesway.com  

Nutralife (Star K)  1072 Madison Ave.  Lakewood, N.J. 08701  (877) 688-7254  Website: www.Nutralife.com 

Shaklee (Star K)  44 Market St.  San Francisco, Ca. 74111  (415) 954-3000

Solgar  00 Willow Tree Rd.  Leonia, N.J. 07605  (201) 944-2311

Sunrider (Star K)  1625 Abalone Ave.  Torrence, Ca. 90501  (310) 781-3808

Sunshine Pharmacy  369 North Fairfax Ave.  Los Angeles, Ca. 90036  (323) 653-8692

To Life Food Co.  (Mail Order Vitamin Co.)  Website: www.tolifefood.com  (900) 725-7200

Tom’s of Maine  P.O. Box 710  Kennebunk, Me. 04143  (800) 332-4100

V.P. Discount Health Food  14645 Ventura Blvd.  (818) 784-9979

V.P. Discount Health Food  8001 Beverly Blvd.  (323) 658-6505

Whole Foods  12905 Riverside Dr.  Sherman Oaks, Ca.  (818) 762-5548

Whole Foods  4520 Sepulveda Blvd.  Sherman Oaks, Ca.  (818) 382-3700

Whole Foods  7871 W. Santa Monica Blvd.  Los Angeles, Ca.  (323) 848-4200

Whole Foods  239 North Crescent Dr.  Beverly Hills, Ca.  (310) 274-3360