Can I get Kosher food in care homes?

Many people who follow the Jewish faith will only consume food that is Kosher, meaning it must meet the Jewish laws about food known as kashrut. When providing food and drink, care homes are obliged to consider your needs, preferences, allergies and cultural and religious backgrounds to fulfil standards set out by their care regulators.

What is Kosher food?

Kosher food includes meats from ruminant animals, such as sheep and cows, and poultry that was slaughtered and prepared according to Jewish guidelines. Fruit and vegetables can be eaten, but only fish with scales and fins are allowed, excluding eels and shellfish. Milk and meat are strictly separated and cannot be mixed. The two cannot be prepared, washed up or consumed using the same utensils.

As the nutritional needs and reasonable requirements regarding religious and cultural backgrounds must be met by care homes across the UK, you should be able to get Kosher food in your care home if that is your choice.

There are care homes that cater specifically to Jews, such as cares homes run by Jewish Care, which will be able to serve you Kosher food without any issues. However, all care homes are not equally set-up to meet all specific dietary needs.

Find out if the care home can give you Kosher food

You should always discuss your dietary requirements with the care home before making the move to ensure they are able to fulfil your needs.

If you have followed a strictly Kosher diet for a number of years you will know exactly what to eat and how the food should be handled, but the care home may not. If the care home is not strictly Jewish, they may not be aware of all the laws about Kosher food, which reinforces the importance of discussing your dietary needs prior to moving in and creating a meal plan. This includes things like not having milk in your tea unless enough time has passed since you had meat.

Your chosen care home may not have the facilities to cook and prepare Kosher food as that would require them to have two kitchens, one for dairy and one for meat, with separate storage, cutlery and dishwashers. It is an expensive provision and providing Kosher food can cost residents more. If this is the case, there are providers of Kosher food and catering could be an option. This will likely reduce additional costs, so it is important you speak to the care home to avoid any surprises.

If you receive catered food, make sure the Kosher stamp is on the packaging.

Dementia and memory loss

If you or a loved one only consume Kosher food and drink and live with dementia or other conditions that may cause memory loss, it is vital to have a meal plan in place to ensure you are served food and drink according to kashrut.

When creating a meal plan it is advisable to bring a family member or advocate to ensure the meal plan meets your requirements. A meal plan also helps the care home staff to understand all the dos and don’ts of providing Kosher food and drink so they can respect your preferences.

Jewish care homes

Jewish Care is the largest health and social care organisation serving the Jewish community in London and the South East. Residents of their care homes and apartments have the opportunity to stay fully connected to all aspects of the Jewish way of life, including Kosher food.

Gaby Wills, director of Care Services at Jewish Care has been in the organisation for 20 years and is committed to support people to continue living the Jewish way of life during the later years.

“The knowledge that our staff either has learned or accumulated over the years or are supported now by volunteers and rabbis etc, you wouldn’t get it in another home. On a very basic level, people want to be somewhere where they are understood and where everything that they need to have is looked after,” Ms Wills said.

“This is even more important when people have dementia and may be confused and not remember that they just had a meaty meal and shouldn’t’ have milk in their coffee. Somebody who can’t remember because they have dementia, might want to do that but our staff will know to guide them to say ‘actually, you wouldn’t want to do that’.”

The food provided in all Jewish Care’s settings is fully Kosher and made fresh every day on-site by chefs. Using only certified Kosher food products and suppliers, the chefs accommodate any dietary requirements residents may have, including Kosher reformed pureed meals for people who have trouble swallowing.

If there are no care homes run by Jewish Care in your area, they will still be able to provide you with support and guidance to help you continue living the Jewish way of life, including assistance with Kosher food and drink.