Actually having the Rabbinic symbol. or seal of certification on a food helps alot. There are many hidden additives that are not Kosher as well as hidden things that you don't see behind the scenes.
MD I know that you are quickley becoming aware of how many "tentacles" the swine has and that it is far reaching, it's amazing actually.
A couple stories: For Mother's Day my husband had made a reservation for dinner for us at a place I wasnt' familiar with. It was a surprise that he did this and a happy one for me. A few hours before we were to leave to go I asked him what I should wear, was this place casual or a little more fancy? I was already dressed from somewhere else we had gone earlier in the day and wanted to know if I could dress down casual a bit
He told me he didn't know, so I looked up on the internet and found that this place ( a catering company that put on special events ) was the purveyor of one of the area's famous pig roasts and clam bakes. A look at their menu showed either shellfish or pork in every dish. To top it off they had a company van with their advertising on it, and guess what on top? That's right Le Swine! I told my husband that in all good conconscience I could not eat even salad at that place. We never agreed on anywhere else so I ended up cooking at home.
My friend got a job at a little stand outside a large store selling fire roasted popcorn. We were discussing this one Shabbat and she mentioned that they also sold pork rinds. I was surprised so I asked her how she dealt with that.She told me that when she first started working there she tasted them not realizing what they were ( we all make mistakes) but she stopped as soon as she realized. But I asked her what did she do about serving them and she looked at me ??? I told her that the mitvah was not just to not eat of the swine but also not to touch it's flesh even. This she didn't know as many don't. This means that you don't even own anything made of pigskin ( fot balls are safe now) So for now she is dealing with it because they are required to wear gloves, and this is the only job that she could get to supprot her family of 6, and this place is giving her many roadways to witness upon so I believe that the L-RD has lead her there.
Story is you never know where the dreaded swine will pop up. So starting your journey with just one item may seem simple and too easy but you will find it really is not.
Hopefully as far as finding a place in your area that sells Kosher meats will not be a problem. But there are Kosher butchers that ship with dry ice, you just make a months worth order. You will also find that the cost restricts the quantity, but your quality of eating will increase and you don't need to eat near as much meat as Americans diet lean towards.
