Why Does the OU Certify Kosher Beef Gelatin as Pareve?

The OU follows the rulings of Rav Moshe Feinstein, zt”l (Igros Moshe Y.D. 2:23) and Rav Aharon Kotler, zt”l (Shu”t Mishnas Reb Aharon I:17) that gelatin, made from the hides of properly slaughtered and koshered (salted) cows, is not only kosher but is also pareve. Since cowhide is inedible, it is not classified as meat. Nevertheless, Pri Megadim (Yoreh De’ah 87:22) writes that there is a rabbinic injunction against cooking and eating cowhide with milk. However, since gelatin is an extract from the hide and it is extracted through the use of strong chemicals, the rabbinic prohibition no longer applies. The gelatin is considered to be pareve and may be cooked with milk.

The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.