Q&A From the OK Consumer Hotline

Q I ordered food from a kosher restaurant through a delivery service (like Postmates, Uber Eats, DoorDash, etc.), and it arrived without any kosher seals. May I still eat it?

A Lechatchila, when sending meat or fish with a non-Jewish delivery person, halacha requires two seals to ensure the integrity of the food. B’dieved, if the package arrives with one seal, it is still permitted; but if it arrives with no seals at all, it may be assur even b’dieved.

Many contemporary Poskim hold that a detailed receipt—one that clearly lists the specific items ordered—can serve as a seal. Thus, if the food arrives with a detailed receipt and the contents match exactly, it may count as one seal and be permitted b’dieved.

If no receipt is present, the only alternative is tevi’as ayin (visual identification) by someone familiar with the appearance of the food when it left the restaurant. In practice, this means you may contact the restaurant’s mashgiach, show them a photo of the food received, and if they confirm that it matches what was sent out, the food is permitted even though it arrived unsealed.

At OK Kosher’s Community Outreach Division, we are always accessible and available to answer our consumers’ many kashrus-related queries and questions.

Whether through WhatsApp at 929-99-ASK-OK, email at [email protected] or by phone at 718-756-7500, our on-call rabbis and kashrus experts are there to patiently answer and provide guidance.