Pareve Food Cooked By a Non-Jew
Question
can an orthodox person eat parve (vegan) food that was prepared on an electric hot plate in a pot used exclusively for dairy products by the Indian foreign worker of the family's grandmother? The food in question contains only products that the family uses
Answer
Shalom!
Thank you for your question.
Although you might not realize it, your question is actually not a question about “kosher.” This is because it sounds like all the ingredients being used are kosher! But, rather, your question is a question of “bishul.” Allow me to explain.
In addition to the requirement for all the food and ingredients we eat to be certified kosher, there is also a restriction on who can cook our food. In many instances, if a non-Jew cooks food, the food becomes non-kosher, even if the ingredients are completely kosher. This is the enactment known as “bishul akum”
The sages forbade us to eat most foods cooked by a non-Jew in order to better prevent social mingling and intermarriage as well as to better ensure we won’t accidentally eat something not kosher.
The prohibition applies to all non-Jews regardless of their religion or how trustworthy they are.
Nevertheless, the ban does not apply to all food. Here are the foods that are NOT subject to “bishul akum” and may be eaten even if cooked by a non-Jew.
1. Any food that is regularly eaten while raw is not included in the prohibition. Hence, a non-Jew may cook carrots or apples for a Jew to eat.
2. Any food that would not be served at a fancy dinner in not included in the prohibition.
So in, other words, the ban applies to any food that is not generally eaten raw or to any food that would be served at a fancy dinner. All other food may be cooked by a non-Jew.
I will note, however, that Halchicaly it is it is often very difficult to determine what qualifies as a food suitable for a fancy dinner for example eggs or spaghetti cooked by a non-Jew is forbidden. The solution is that if a Jew were to turn on the stove/fire before the cooking begins, then a non-Jew is allowed to cook anything for a Jew.
So, the answer to your question depends on what the non-Jew is cooking. If it is a food that is not subject to bishul akum you may eat it, but if it is subject to bishul akum, you may not.
Source
Avoda Zara 35-37; YD 113 with commentaries