Recognized certifying agency on certification
Processed foods are relied upon only with a recognized hechsher, because ingredients, equipment and processing aids cannot be verified from the label alone. Hey Kosher reports what is printed on the package; the agency has the final word.
Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De'ah 118-119; contemporary agency practice
How this shows up in a verdict
When the Orthodox lens is selected and a product’s label touches certification, the verdict cites this record. Without the required mark, the verdict reads “needs a look”.
Other traditions on certification
This tier reads the ingredient list against Scripture's clean and unclean lists. It does not require rabbinic certification and does not separate meat and dairy.
Tier definition
A reliable hechsher is the preferred way to establish that a processed food is kosher. Where none is present, the ingredient list is read against CJLS rulings and the result is marked for your judgement.
Rabbinical Assembly, "A Guide to Jewish Religious Practice" (Klein, 1979), ch. 21
A recognized hechsher settles the question. Without one, the ingredient list is read for unclean species and questionable animal derivatives.
MJRC Standards of Observance, Kashrut section
Products this ruling touches
Hey Kosher summarizes published positions so shoppers can see the reasoning behind a verdict. It is not a halakhic authority; the cited body has the final word.