What Is Kosher Gelatin?

Almost none of products that you see in U.S. supermarkets that contain gelatin are kosher. That is because all of the gelatin commercially produced in the United States is made from pork byproducts. Most of it is extracted from pig snouts, hooves, and pigskins. A number of the products in my chocolate room contain kosher gelatin. For example, the icing on my chocolate-bottomed oatmeal cookies is made with kosher gelatin. Kosher gelatin is made from fish instead of pigs. Most of the fish caught by commercial fishing boats is not marketable. These fish are either thrown back into the ocean or are frozen and sold to ‘trash fish’ buyers. Most ‘trash fish’ is turned into cat food or fertilizer. Some of it is shipped to Israel where it is turned into kosher gelatin or it is shipped to Egypt or Jordan where it is turned into halal gelatin for sale to observant Muslims. Fish gelatin is an odorless and tasteless white powder.