Is Chunky blue cheese yogurt salad dressing Kosher?

The Ingredient Breakdown

When determining if a processed food like this dressing is Kosher, we look beyond the obvious. The primary ingredients—water, yogurt, and blue cheese—are inherently Kosher, provided the cultures used are free of animal derivatives. The specific blue cheese here uses penicillum roqueforti, which is a mold culture, not an animal product, making it perfectly acceptable.

A critical area for Kosher concerns is enzymes. The label lists enzymes in the blue cheese. In the food industry, enzymes can be derived from animal stomachs (non-Kosher) or microbial sources (Kosher). Without a specific certification symbol, this is a risk area. However, in modern mass-market dairy products, microbial enzymes are the standard. Additionally, the presence of xanthan gum and guar gum as thickeners is safe; these are plant-derived or microbial.

Finally, we examine additives like natural flavors and egg yolk. While egg yolk is Kosher, it must be checked for blood spots, though this is rarely an issue in commercial dressings. There are no meat products (like bacon) or seafood listed, so the strict separation of milk and meat (basar b'chalav) is not violated here. The verdict remains a clear 'Yes'.

Nutritional Value

While the Kosher status is confirmed, the nutritional profile is equally important. This dressing is a hybrid of a creamy sauce and a yogurt dip, aiming to lower the fat content of traditional blue cheese. You can expect a moderate calorie count, likely falling between 40-60 calories per serving, with a significant portion coming from the soybean oil and yogurt.

Sugar content is generally low in savory dressings, though watch out for the reduced acid pineapple juice concentrate, which adds a touch of sweetness. The protein content is bolstered by whey protein concentrate, making it slightly more filling than a standard vinaigrette. It fits well within a balanced diet, offering the flavor of blue cheese without the full caloric density of a mayonnaise-based version.