What is D.E.?
While many products can be made with non-Dairy ingredients, some can not. If a non-Dairy produce shares equipment with a Dairy product, does it automatically lose its Pareve (non-Dairy) status?
Often, the answer is somewhere in the middle. A product sharing equipment with Dairy may receive the designation of D.E. – Dairy Equipment.
The Advantage
While not as advantageous as Pareve, D.E. products are valuable to the Kosher consumer. For several hours after eating meat, one may not consume Dairy products. However, one may have D.E. products following meat, provided they are not eaten together with the meat. When looking for a dessert to serve after a meat meal, or a snack for the rest of the afternoon, consumers will consider a D.E. product.
What Qualifies as D.E.?
It should be noted that bread cannot be D.E. Since bread is the staple of many meals, there is a concern that bread containing either meat or dairy might be eaten directly with food of the other type. Therefore, only bread which is Pareve is considered Kosher.
With that said, there are many products labeled as “Bread” which are really served as cake. Examples would be tea breads or banana bread. Since these are not eaten directly with meat, they may be certified as D.E.
It should be noted that D.E. only applies to products that are purely non-Dairy except for the cross-contamination that arises from sharing of hot equipment. Products which may contain larger traces of Dairy, for example products made on equipment which is not cleaned adequately, or products in which there is a concern of possible use of compatible Dairy ingredients, may not be considered D.E.
Ask your Kosher coordinator if your products can achieve D.E. designation, making them desirable to a greater segment of the Kosher market.