Cholov Yisroel

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Cholov Yisroel (Hebrew: חלב ישראל) refers to all dairy products, including cheese and non-fat dry milk powder, which have been under constant Rabbinical supervision.

The term comes from the Halachaic law that, Kol hayotzei min hatahor tahor, vichol hayotzei min hatamei tamei. Meaning derivatives from a Kosher species (such as cows, goats, and sheep) are Kosher and acceptable, while derivatives from a non-Kosher species (such as horses, pigs, and camels) are forbidden.

In the past it was not uncommon for farmers to mix the milk of their various herds together, unbeknownst to their customers. Since it was conceivable to have a farm selling a mixture of Kosher and non-Kosher milk, Rabbis issued an injunction against the use of milk from a non-Jewish farmer. This restriction did not apply if there was supervision of the farmer by a Jew during the milking process until the milk was sold. The milk itself is automatically kosher (so long as it is 100% from a kosher animal, namely, a cow) but the Rabbis' decree served to protect people from potential dairy deception.

Nowadays, although modern health standards (regulated by Health and Food standards organizations, such as the FDA) make sure that cow's milk sold in stores is 100% cow's milk, many Jews who wish to strive for a stricter observance of Jewish law, only consume dairy products that are supervised by a Mashgiach and are certified with the label: "Cholov Yisroel". The retention of the Cholov Yisroel system is also related to the retention of traditions/customs, a central part of Judaism.