Kosher Scanner — Check If Food Is Kosher by Barcode (2026)
Scan a barcode and instantly know whether a product is kosher.
Kosher Scanner is an iOS app that lets you check if a food product is kosher by scanning its barcode. Point your camera at any packaged product and the app looks up its kosher status and certification (hechsher) in seconds, so you can shop with confidence in any supermarket. It's a kosher food checker built for fast aisle decisions — no squinting at fine print or hunting for a symbol you don't recognize.
What you get
- Scan a barcode and get a kosher / not-kosher answer in seconds.
- See the certification (hechsher) behind a product, not just a yes/no.
- Shop any supermarket aisle without deciphering tiny symbols.
- Build a history of products you've checked for repeat shopping.
Screenshots
Key features
- Barcode scanning for kosher status
- Certification / hechsher lookup
- Search by product name
- Scan history
- Works in US, Israeli, and French stores
- Fast camera-first interface
How it compares
Kosher-checking tools fall into three types: barcode scanners, symbol/hechsher reference apps, and printed certification lists. Kosher Scanner leads with a barcode scan and shows the certification behind the verdict. Honest comparison as of 2026:
| Feature | Kosher Scanner | Hechsher reference apps (OU / cRc) | KosherScan-style scan apps | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Check by barcode scan | Yes (primary flow) | Mostly symbol lookup | Yes | |
| Shows certifying agency | Yes | Yes (their own agency) | Yes | |
| Pareve / dairy / meat status | Where available | Often | Varies | |
| Works in US + Israel + France | Yes (3 stores) | Usually region-specific | Region-specific | |
| Price | Free to scan | Free / agency-backed | Free / paid | |
| Best for | Fast aisle decisions while shopping | Looking up a specific symbol | Established brand with reviews |
Frequently asked questions
Is there an app to check if a product is kosher by scanning the barcode?
Yes. Kosher Scanner is a free iOS app that tells you whether a food product is kosher by scanning its barcode. Point your camera at any packaged item and it returns the kosher status and certifying agency (hechsher) in seconds, so you can decide in the aisle instead of squinting at fine print for a symbol you may not recognise.
How do I check if a food is kosher?
Open Kosher Scanner, point your camera at the product's barcode, and it looks the item up and shows its kosher status plus the certification behind it. If a barcode isn't recognised you can search by product name instead. The goal is a fast, confident yes/no with the reasoning shown, not just a bare verdict.
Which kosher certifications (hechsherim) does it recognise?
Kosher Scanner surfaces the certifying agency associated with a product where that data is available, covering common US, Israeli, and European certifications such as OU, OK, Star-K, Kof-K, and cRc. Seeing which agency certifies an item lets you judge whether it meets your own standard of kashrut, since not every hechsher is accepted by every community.
Does Kosher Scanner work outside Israel?
Yes. It is published in the US, Israeli, and French App Stores and works with products sold in those markets, so the same barcode lookup helps whether you're shopping in New York, Tel Aviv, or Paris. It's built for everyday supermarket decisions rather than a single country's product set.
Does it show pareve, dairy, or meat status?
Where the data is available, Kosher Scanner shows whether a certified product is pareve, dairy (chalavi), or meat (basari), which matters for keeping kosher meals separate. It also helps flag non-kosher additives like certain gelatins so you can avoid them before they reach the cart.
Is Kosher Scanner free?
Yes, Kosher Scanner is free to download and scan with. An optional upgrade adds extras like unlimited scan history and faster lookups, but the core barcode check is free so you can test it on a real shopping trip before deciding.
Kosher Scanner
Scan a barcode and instantly know whether a product is kosher.
Download on the App Store