Is Marquez Brothers, El Mexicano Brand, Drinkable Yogurt, Strawberry Kosher?

The Ingredient Breakdown

When determining the kosher status of a dairy product like the El Mexicano Brand Drinkable Yogurt, the primary concern is ensuring that no meat derivatives are present and that all additives are derived from permissible sources. The base ingredients—Cultured pasteurized grade A milk and cream and non-fat dry milk—are inherently kosher as long as the milk comes from a kosher source, which is standard for commercial dairy in the US.

Thickeners and stabilizers are often a point of contention. In this product, we see tapioca starch, carrageenan, and locust bean gum. All three are plant-derived and are widely accepted as kosher. The sweetening profile includes sugar and high fructose corn syrup. While sugar itself is kosher, strict kosher observers sometimes look for a hechsher (kosher certification) on refined sugars due to the processing agents used. However, there are no flags here regarding bone char usage in this specific brand's sugar sourcing.

The flavor and color additives are the most complex part of the analysis. The strawberry puree is fruit-based and kosher. The artificial flavors are the wildcard; however, without a specific indication of non-kosher sources (like wine or specific animal derivatives), they are generally considered acceptable in the absence of a certification. The colors—Annatto, Red 40, and Blue 1—are synthetic and kosher. The preservatives sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate are chemical and pose no kosher issues. Therefore, the ingredient profile is clean of non-kosher flags.

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, this drinkable yogurt is a source of calories primarily driven by added sugars. The inclusion of high fructose corn syrup and sugar places this beverage in the category of a sweetened treat rather than a health food. While it provides protein and calcium from the milk solids, the sugar content likely offsets some of the health benefits associated with yogurt, such as gut health support.

If you are monitoring your sugar intake for weight management or metabolic health, this product may not fit well into a strict diet plan. However, as a convenient source of energy and dairy, it serves a purpose. It is lower in fat than many ice cream-based treats but higher in sugar than plain, unsweetened yogurt.