Dear Rabbi,

In America there is a kashrut symbol "D-E" which stands for "dairy equipment." What is the purpose of this? Can you eat something made on dairy equipment after meat? If not, why bother with the symbol? In other words, how does it differ from the regular "D" symbol which stands for dairy?

Dear Michael,

"Pareve" food - i.e., food that is neither dairy nor meat - cooked in dairy equipment may not be eaten together with meat, but it may be eaten immediately after eating meat. Hence, some kashrut supervisory organizations use the D-E designation.

Sources:

• See Yoreh Deah 95:2 Rema