What is the halachic difference between cholov stam (“d”) and dairy equipment food(“de”)? If someone doesn’t eat CS, they usually are machmir on not eating DE as well?
And can DE be eaten with fleishigs? Or after fleishigs (i.e. before 6 hours but not together with the fleishigs)?
In theory, since the halacha is clear that cholov akum makes utensils non-kosher, one who is makpid on CY should also be makpid on utensils. In practice, not everyone is. An important factor to consider is whether the equipment was used within the last 24 hours (“ben yomo”) or not (“eino ben yomo”). In the latter case, it would not be a problem.
As far as eating together with fleishigs, again, it depends on when the last time the equipment was used for milchig. I’m referring to manufactured items; using your own milchig pots is a bit more complicated.
Regarding waiting 6 hours, it is not required, even if it was a ben yomo.
Of course, ask your posek.
BTW, the OU does not use the DE designation, but other hechsherim do, and by calling the OU you can determine if a particular product has dairy ingredients or is merely manufactured on dairy utensils.