Is SALAD WITH TURKEY & UNCURED HAM Kosher?

The Ingredient Breakdown

When evaluating a product for kosher status, we look beyond the marketing name and dive straight into the ingredient list. The primary issue with this Marketside salad is the explicit inclusion of uncured ham. While the term "uncured" suggests a lack of synthetic nitrates, it does not change the fact that ham is derived from pork. Pork is one of the non-kosher animals explicitly prohibited in the Torah. Even if the ham were absent, the salad presents a secondary, major violation: the mixing of meat and dairy.

The salad contains Swiss cheese and a dressing made with nonfat buttermilk and egg yolks. In kosher observance, meat (turkey) and dairy (cheese/buttermilk) cannot be consumed together in the same meal. Furthermore, the dressing contains sour cream and whey, solidifying its dairy status. Finally, the turkey breast itself, while generally kosher if certified, is rendered non-kosher here by its association with the pork and dairy ingredients. There is no certification symbol (like a 'U' in a circle or an 'OK') on the packaging, confirming that it lacks supervision.

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, this salad is a mixed bag. It provides a decent amount of protein at 14g per serving, which helps with satiety. However, the sodium content is quite high at 730mg, which accounts for roughly 32% of the recommended daily value. This is typical for processed meats like ham. The fat content is also significant at 20g total fat, largely driven by the canola oil in the ranch dressing and the cheese. While it does offer some vitamins and minerals like calcium (10%) and potassium (8%), the high sodium and fat levels make it less than ideal for those strictly monitoring heart health or blood pressure.