Is Tomato & Sweet Basil Soup Kosher?

The Ingredient Breakdown

When determining if a processed food is kosher, the devil is in the details. While the main ingredients like tomatoes and basil are inherently kosher, we must scrutinize the additives and processing agents. The primary concern in creamy soups is usually dairy and thickeners.

First, let's look at the dairy content. The soup contains nonfat milk, cream, butter, whey protein concentrate, and cream powder. All of these are dairy ingredients. In a kosher context, dairy is perfectly acceptable as long as it does not contain any non-kosher enzymes or additives. Since there are no meat ingredients present in this soup, the dairy status is straightforward and poses no conflict with kosher laws (it is Pareve or dairy depending on strictness, but definitely kosher).

Next, we examine the thickeners and flavorings. The wheat flour used as a thickener is a grain and is inherently kosher. However, strict kosher observers often worry about natural flavors. In savory foods, natural flavors can sometimes contain meat derivatives, but in a tomato-based soup, these are almost certainly vegetable or herb-based. Furthermore, the yeast extract is a common flavor enhancer derived from yeast, which is kosher. There are no red flags like gelatin, lard, or hidden shellfish derivatives in this list.

Nutritional Value

While the kosher status is confirmed, it is worth looking at the nutritional profile of this soup. A serving contains sugar and cream, which increases the calorie and fat count compared to a simple broth. The inclusion of butter and cream powder contributes to a rich texture but also adds saturated fat.

If you are monitoring your sugar intake or fat consumption, this soup should be eaten in moderation. It fits into a balanced diet as a starter or light meal, but it is not a 'low-calorie' food due to the dairy and sweetener content. It is, however, free of artificial colors, as it uses beta carotene for a vibrant orange hue.