For some kosher-observant Jews, certification alone isn’t enough. Pas Yisroel, a halachic standard requiring a Jewish person to be involved in the baking process, adds another level of stringency. According to the AKC Kosher Certification

website, some follow this requirement year-round, while others observe it only on Shabbat or during the 10 Days of Repentance between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Not all kosher-certified bagel shops adhere to this standard​.

Equipment and cross-contamination

A bagel shop might use kosher ingredients but still not be kosher if its equipment isn’t properly maintained. According to the Orthodox Union (OU), if bagels are baked in an oven that was also used for non-kosher items, or if a mixer previously used with dairy is later used for parve bagels without proper kosherization, those bagels may no longer be kosher. Certified kosher bakeries ensure that all equipment is cleaned and maintained according to strict kosher standards, a process closely overseen by their certifying agency​.

Dairy vs. parve bagels

Some bagels contain butter, milk, or whey, making them dairy. That may not matter to most customers, but for those keeping kosher, it determines what the bagels can be eaten with. According to the OU, a dairy bagel cannot be eaten with lox or other fish unless the dairy itself is certified kosher and the person follows lenient opinions on mixing dairy and fish​.

The boiling process and kosher water sources

Bagels are traditionally boiled before baking, but even this step has kosher implications. If the boiling water is reused or shared with non-kosher foods—which can happen in non-kosher bakeries—the bagels may not be kosher. The OU states that a kosher-certified bakery ensures that the water used for boiling bagels is itself kosher and used exclusively for bagel preparation​.

With so many bagel options in St. Louis, understanding what makes a bagel kosher is key for those who keep kosher. Whether you opt for Bagels and Bliss, Lefty’s, or another bakery, knowing the differences between certified kosher, kosher-style and Pas Yisroel can help you make an informed choice.