Kosher food refers to food that complies with the dietary laws outlined in the Torah, the central reference of the religious Judaic tradition. These laws dictate what foods are permissible and how they should be prepared. For example, meat must come from certain animals and be slaughtered in a specific way, while dairy products cannot be mixed with meat. To be considered kosher, food must also be free from contaminants and prepared using utensils that have not been in contact with non-kosher items. Many Jewish communities observe these dietary laws, and kosher certification is often indicated by a symbol on food packaging.