Why Register Ingredients That Aren’t Approved for Kosher Production?

In the past, we introduced the OK Kosher Group System and explained how ingredient groups help manage kosher compliance throughout the ingredient approval process.

This article focuses on Groups 6 and 6A—ingredients that are not approved for use in kosher-certified products but must still be documented as part of OK Kosher’s ingredient control program.

The Role of Groups 6 & 6A

Every OK-certified facility operates under a structured kosher compliance program. One of its primary management tools is the Approved Ingredient List, which defines which ingredients may be present in the facility, how they may be received, and the conditions under which they may be used.

While Groups 1–5 include ingredients approved for kosher-certified production, Groups 6 and 6A identify ingredients that may be present in the facility but require specific controls.

Listing an ingredient in Group 6 or 6A does not indicate approval for kosher production. Instead, it defines how that ingredient must be managed to protect the integrity of the kosher certification program.

The Two Primary Concerns

Groups 6 and 6A address two potential risks:

• Accidental use in kosher-certified production
• Impact on processing equipment, since certain non-kosher ingredients may affect equipment used for kosher production

As a general rule, Groups 6 and 6A are not permitted when comparable kosher-approved ingredients are used in the same facility because the risk of accidental substitution is significantly greater.

Group 6 vs. Group 6A

The distinction depends on whether the ingredient may come into contact with equipment used for kosher production.

Group 6

The ingredient may be present in the facility but may not be used in kosher-certified products or processed on equipment used for kosher production.

Group 6A

The ingredient is not approved for kosher-certified products but may be processed on shared equipment when it has been determined that, under the approved conditions, it will not compromise the kosher status of that equipment.

Approval Conditions

A Rabbinic Coordinator may assign Group 6 or 6A status when adequate controls are in place to ensure these ingredients will not be used in kosher-certified products or handled in a way that would compromise kosher production.

Exceptions are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. When approved, they typically require additional rabbinic supervision during kosher production or, alternatively, during non-kosher production, depending on the specific circumstances.

Additional Criteria for Group 6A

One or more of the following conditions may support a Group 6A classification:

• Usage levels below 1% by volume
• Processing temperatures below 45°C (113°F) with a residence time of less than 24 hours
• The nature of the concern is unlikely to compromise equipment—for example, when the ingredient’s composition is not inherently problematic, but available documentation is insufficient to fully verify that it does not contain problematic process aids or was not processed on non-kosher equipment
• Documentation is insufficient to approve the ingredient for kosher-certified products but sufficient to establish that it will not affect the kosher status of processing equipment

Conclusion

Groups 6 and 6A help OK Kosher manage facilities that produce both kosher-certified and non-certified products by establishing clear controls for ingredients that are not approved for kosher production.

The information provided here describes the general principles behind these classifications. Actual determinations are based on the specific circumstances of each ingredient, manufacturing process, and facility. As a result, these guidelines may not apply in every situation. For facility-specific guidance, please contact your Rabbinic Coordinator.