What may one eat abroad without kosher certification?

Greetings,

Below is a partial list of foods permitted abroad without kosher certification:

Fresh fruits and vegetables abroad, since there is no obligation of terumot and maasrot abroad, as explained in Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah, סימן שלא, סעיף א. See also Yabia Omer, part 10, Yoreh Deah, סימן מו, and Beit Neeman, part 1, Yoreh Deah, סימנים ט-יא. And there is no concern that these fruits may involve the prohibition of orlah, since according to halacha, a doubtful case of orlah outside the Land of Israel is permitted, as explained in Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah, סימן רצד, סעיף ט.

Ordinary table salt, as well as coarse salt for cooking.

White sugar, as well as brown sugar.

Rice in all its varieties.

Couscous in its natural state, without added flavors or other ingredients.

Pasta of all kinds, when nothing else is mixed in, such as eggs.

Mineral water without flavors.

Soda without flavors.

Black coffee. Likewise regular tea and herbal tea with no added flavoring.

Vegetable oil labeled 100%.

Chicken eggs, although one must verify that they are from chickens, since abroad eggs from non-kosher birds are sometimes marketed.

Ketchup, since the vinegar in it is usually synthetic. The same applies to 100% vegetable tomato paste.

Mustard without added wine.

Pure 100% natural honey.

It is also worth knowing the common kosher symbols abroad that appear on products:

OU - the largest kosher certification body in the United States and in the world.

OK - the second-largest certification in the United States.

KM - the certification of the city rabbinical council in Montreal, Canada.

KF - the kosher certification of the haredi community in London.

BDL - the certification of the London rabbinate.

BD - the certification of the rabbinical court of Johannesburg and Cape Town in South Africa.

Sources: See at length in Sefer HaKashrut LaMaaseh (pages תצג-תקו).

With blessings,

Hillel Meirs