Kashrus Alerts:

Restaurants, Caterers, Hotels under Rav Shmiel Berger (Mishkoltz) has serious issues with infestation of Vegetables & Fruits- Avoid all of those questionable items.

Rav Koenig, (Yoka Rav) serious infestation issues with Yoka kosher certified produce.

Infestation was found in Dependable Flour.

Rosh Hashonah Update:

Leek- Has Thrips and aphids- Separate every leaf, soak in soap water for 5 minutes- Sponge very well both sides, especially near fold in leaf.

Figs, fresh or dry- Are very infested, don't use-regardless which Hashgocha. One must be an expert to see the camouflaged insects.

Some Hashgochas may write a disclaimer that the Figs, etc must be checked- DON'T USE anything from those unreliable Hashgochas.

Black eyed beans - fresh, frozen, ground-infested don't use- even with any Hashgocha.

Dates- must be opened each one & checked. Alert there are Israeli ones on the market, re: terumois umasrois-No Urlah issues.

Raisins- -Don't use. The Aida has one under their Hashgocha- All others are infested, Don't use regardless which other Hashgocha is on the box, or what others tell you that it's clean. Including South African.
some Currants are really raisins, and should not be used.

Raisin Chala- Don't use-Only Aida certified raisins,  use Craisans- are not an issue.

Fish Heads-  Check that gills were removed & check inside mouth that it was cleaned very well.
One may use a smoked white fish with the head.

Roish Keves- Many refrain from using & they don't consume Lamb at all. The Shechita , bedikas, speed are a serious issue.

Pomegranate-  To de-seed-Cut across width, turn cut side down, tap outer shell with back of spoon-seeds will fall right out.

Celery-  Does have miners in the stalk, must be cut away.

Lettuce, Romain, cabbage-  Only use the positive brand,  the only brand that is consistently insect free.

Blueberries-   Frozen, Fresh, Organic, Commercial, local farm, etc Every State including Canada are all infested, even with Hashgocha besides positive or kosher gardens.. To Clean soak in water, swoosh around vigorously, Rinse very well. Repeat process at least four times. Then check for scales & maggots.

All  Orange Juices have scale insects,  the most scale, etc insects was Tropicana. all orange juices must be filtered

PAPAYA- is a "borei-pri-ho'adama- [Those that make a "ho'aitz" should be aware that it's "vadai-Orlah" which is ossur even in chutz-lo'uretz. 
Pineapple- no orlah issue.

Black eyed beans

Consumer Notice  September 2016

Checking method for dried black-eyed peas step-by-step instructions describing the required method of checking dried black-eyed peas for forbidden insects (including those frozen and canned)

1.      Soak the beans in hot water for 3 hours or in cold water for 8 hours. The ratio of water to beans should be 3:1.                     Soaking is not necessary for beans that are frozen or canned. Checking still required

2.      Spread out a handful of beans on the palm of your hand and examine the beans cautiously. All dried black-eyed peas have a natural black stain on the side which is not a sign of infestation. Any bean that has any other dark stains should be removed for further testing.

3.      Place the palm of your other empty hand firmly on the beans in your hand. Now carefully turn over your hands thereby transferring the beans to your empty hand. You must make certain that the untested side of the beans is now visible. Continue your examination process for the other side of the beans. Likewise, remove for further testing any bean that has any unnatural dark staining. All the beans in the package should undergo this process.

4.      The beans removed due to staining, should be peeled and carefully inspected for a black insect (bean weevil). Any bean found with an insect should not be eaten. Furthermore, a bean found with a round cavity having 2mm in its diameter is a sign of infestation and should also not be eaten.

5.      If three or more insects are found in your package, all the beans in the package should be peeled, halved and thoroughly inspected. If two insects or less have been found, no further action is necessary.

 It is advisable although not required, to examine dried black-eyed peas for a potential yet uncommon moth larvae infestation. Halve a few beans and then search in between the halves for any indication of moth larvae. Should you find moth larvae, the entire package should not be used.

Checking method for fresh black-eyed peas step-by-step instructions describing the required method of checking fresh black-eyed peas for forbidden insects Wash all the pods in cold water. Examine the outside of the pods for a round hole which signifies an infestation. Actually finding a round hole would require you to cut off the affected part of the pod. The rest of the pod may be eaten, only after a careful inspection to verify that it does not contain a worm inside. It is always recommended to open a few pods and to check inside the pod for a worm.

Information supplied is for USA products only and is current at time of publication. For more information contact
KASHRUS L’BEDIKAS TOLAIM at 718-408- 8033. For Rabbi Moshe Vaye press #1; for Rabbi Dovid Goldstein
press #2. For questions related specifically to NYC water, press #3 for Rabbi Dovid Lach.

Kaporos alert "Serious Kaporos issues"

Among the "Serious Kaporos issues";

1- When you pay for the chicken, it belongs to you- Therefore one may not eat before feeding his chickens, so you must wait to eat till after the Shechita, which is  the following day (Wedensday). [Tat /Gerstel kaparos]

The chickens were not fed since Motzei Rosh Hashonah. [Tat/ Gerstel kaparos]
צער בעל חיים

2- When chickens are hungry they are under stress and will peck other chickens in the head, which may cause a "treifa" nikuv kirum hamo'ach. [Tat/Gerstel kaparos]

3- The crates may have been thrown from the truck more that 10 tefochim, which may cause a treifa unless the chicken was walked "daled ammos".

4-  When grabbing a chicken by one leg it may dislodge the bone from the socket and thereby cause a treifa.

5- Many chickens arrive back to the plant dead, because of no food, no drink, stress, bounced around for hours.[Tat / Gerstel kaparos]

6- Some Lakewood kaporos & shechitas located near the yeshiva, may be neveilos, & treifas based on what numerous knowledgeable individuals observed. [Eizekowitz kaparos]

7- Some Kaporos Shechitas, (we'll schecht it later) use the chicken multiple times. [Eizikowitz kaporos]

8- [Tat /Gerstel] kaporos claim that the poor don't want the kaporos chickens so they send it back to Kiryas Joel and unbeknown to the purchasers they are buying [Tat / Gerstel] kaporos chickens. לפני עור? is also an איסור!

*********************************************
The Mehadrin & Schwartz Kaporos is still the ONLY kaporos that is completely על פי הלכה  ורב אלישיב ורב שמואל וואזנר זצ"ל & doesn't have any of the above issues. 
The chickens go to עניים and to צדקה. 
Some עניים would rather have a פדייה done and are given non- kaporos chickens.
No kaporos chickens go to any commercial shechita plant.
This system has been in place all of the years by Mehadrin & Schwartz Kaporos with Hashgocha.

FYI- Yudel Shain have no personal interest in any kaporos business.

kaparos

The "only" kaparos places in Lakewood in full compliance with "all" Halachos & the Kol-Koreh is Mehadrin and Mutcha Schwartz Kaporos.

The other Lakewood Kaporos centers  have some serious concerns.

Lakewood moisdois hanhala must see this video by yy Jacobson

Know when it's time to step up to the plate and hand over the mantel to more qualified...

Fish heads-cleaned professionally for Rosh Hashonah

@ Fishing-line Lakewood

Next to Hershey's all ישן Bakery Howell, NJ



One can also buy a whole
smoked white fish, which comes
with the head.

No cooking required.

Kosher consumer take heed? and eat only the KOSHER GARDENS or POSITIVE brands

From an Email:

Kashrus Alert:
Stay away from all fresh broccoli & or non-reliable greenhouse grown. period.

Rav Belsky zt"l was against certifying non greenhouse grown broccoli and didn't allow the OU to certify fresh broccoli as their washing it doesn’t bring it down to miyut hamatzut its muchzak be’tolaim

Rav Belsky told me that consumers should purchase ONLY reliable greenhouse grown.

 Now that he has passed away the OU started certifying fresh broccoli. We as consumers are expecting Kashrus standards to be raised to an acceptable level as time goes on but it seems some hechsherim are intent on bringing standards lower.

NOTE: Terras Gardens brand, is sold in the south Florida market at this time

Alert- Hadasim- kashrus sorting by Russian Couples ?????????? CONSUMER FRAUD!

CONSUMER FRAUD! ? yes indeed

This may be the reason that most commercially packed Hadasim do not meet the "Halacha" standards, contrary to what the certifier states on the package   

?

Lakewood Township officials are in Seppuku mind-frame - time to Take-back Lakewood? No, Not yet.

Lakewood Township officials are in Seppuku mind-frame, as the are oblivious to the safety, welfare, etc of the residents.
[SEPPUKU= Ritual Suicide to avoid the shame of being dishonored by exposure] 
                                                            We will name just a few.

Many street lights  are of the old type "very-dim". Street lights not working for extended periods of time. Streetlights lighting blocked by overgrowth of branches.

Everyone is going LED in streetlights (including LA). Lakewood is being bamboozled by JCP&L and pulling the (shatnez) wool over their eyes. JCP&L is ripping off the gullible Lakewood officials

Numerous  electric poles are leaning and are ready to topple in a rain storm.

Many signs are blocked by overgrowth  including, stop signs, speed limit signs, pedestrian signs, etc.

The traffic lines, crosswalks, safety lines & markings are all worn out (the contractor ripped off Lakewood?)

Required permanent Safety barriers are not installed.

2 Hour parking is not enforced Downtown due to corruption.

The trash cans are strewn and blocking traffic and parking.

NEW: The young children that have mandated or courtesy busing are being forced to wait at the dangerous main streets. Mothers must leave their infants or sick children at home themselves in order to take the othe others to the bus stops on the main busy streets.

This cause tremendous backups of traffic due to all the bus stops on the main thoroughfares.

Approve developments like sardines in a can, with no sidewalks, near main highways, no open space at all, etc

Make the rich richer and the poor poorer!
*************************************************************************

AS LONG AS THEY GET THEIR NAMES AND PICTURES ALL OVER THE MEDIA AND KEEP GETTING ELECTED OR APPOINTED BY THE ELECTED OFFICIALS.

We can assure you, yes they will all have their pictures and their complete profile all over the media.

Hadasim-checked personally by Yudel Shain- order yours now

20 + years known for the nicest "Hadasim" 
בריסקר הדסים- checked & packaged personally by Yehuda  Shain - 1140  Forest Ave (cor Carey St) -
732-364-8046

Grown, cut, by shomrai Torah U'mitzvois

Call now to reserve

beautiful הדסים 

3-4 grades $25.00-50.00 @ set
The $50.00 sets available by pre-order only

He's wanted not for מצות ומעשים טובים

Who is he?
Outlaws are wanted
, In-laws are not

Chinese Glatt Kosher-105 Clifton Ave, for those in Lakewood that are ["still"] makpid on kashrus

732-886-8818


Under Hashgocha of Satmar Dayan-Rav M.B, Klein

Note: Bedikas Toloi'yim par excellence.
Note: Positive product only.

Lakewood- A local Rehab Center, It's almost an hour closer to NY-

We just visited a Rehab Center [including pulmonary rehab]in Jackson, next to NPGS.

A Jewish Community Rehab center in the Northern part of Lakewood. With the Rt #9 traffic, it's a half hour closer to New York.

Note: Located in the southern part of Lakewood, see  http://yudelstake.blogspot.com/2015/11/in-need-of-kosher-rehab-center.html

Alert: Re: don't eat-Rav Levin's (Argenita) shechita being sold in Eretz Yisroel to Yeshiva Leit ר"ל

Alert: Do not eat !

Rav Levin's (Argenita) [unacceptable] shechita being sold in Eretz Yisroel to Yeshiva Leit ר"ל

UPDATE; Lakewood Bais Din L'Inyanay Shatnez, certified test center "not-reliable" R"L- must re-check all clothing

There have been numerous incidents where the Lakewood Shatnez test under the hashgocha of the  Lakewood Bais Din L'Inyanay Shatnez, has been found to be definite Shatnez even though it was certified as Non-Shatnez.

The incidents were numerous, too many to be called a mistake. The places where the Shatnez was fond indicate a complete lack of knowledge of the expertise required to properly check for Shatnez. We are not talking of re-processed issues, regular straight out "shatnez" according to any "mumcha".

Therefore previous tested clothing by above,  should be re-tested by a qualified test center. 

The fact of the Bais Din certification on that Test center puts to question of the Knowledge the Members of the Bais Din poses in the Expertise of Shatnez testing.

What's new in Queens kashrus

The Kosher Consumers Union is closely monitoring and checking the infestation levels of the numerous kosher certifiers  in the tri-state including Vaad Ha'Rabbonim of Queens. 

 We the Kosher Consumers Union are currently checking produce under the various kosher certifiers including the VHQ and those Hechsherim that work together with the the ones that are not reliable in checking for infestation will unfortunately not be spared of the forthcoming videos of excessive VHQ infestation. 

We ask that kashrus organizations not work in junction with those that are not in line in reliability of insect infestation e.g.VHQ, etc so that we will not be forced to expose the other kashrus organization parties involved in catered events. 

Our (the consumers Queens) current objective is to upgrade the standards of the VHQ, and are not looking for other hechsherim to suffer from the collateral damage.

Thank you to all other Hechsherim for their understanding of the situation as Queens kashrus concerns are at its peak and it is time for change. The Consumers of Queens have voted unanimously.

We Remain,

The Kosher Consumers Union

PS next is a neighboring community

Aisle 9 - Gevald-If you are looking for kosher? stay out of there

R' Yudel,

Aisle 9 in Lakewood are out to deceive the customers especially the one that think they could find there anything kusher.

Anything they make or pack should not be touched. Don't rely on their hashgochas either. 
Their pre-washed & checked is infested.

Freshly checked [Perfect image brand]-Edible flowers-Orchids Highly infested

ALERT: Canned pineapple in its own juice.

ALERT: All Canned pineapple in its own juice, is infested with various insects.

As is well known, Pineapples do have insects in the crown and in the brown parts of the skin peel.

Some Pineapples were found to have have mealybugs  past the brown area as well, it must be checked by experts in infestation.

Now it was discovered another insect issue with canned pineapple. "Packed-in-its-own-juice". The canned pineapple is raw not cooked, how do they get the "Packed-in-its-own-juice"?

They take the skin / peel, etc with all of the inherent insects and cook it to obtain the pineapple-juice.

Is the somewhat viscous juice filtered? If yes, with what size filter?
We asked some of the heimish certifiers and they refuse to respond.

UPDATE: Alert from Hisahdus Harabinm Di'Lakewood re: ALL BLUEBERRIES ARE INFESTED- FRESH, FROZEN, FILLING, ETC

Alert from Hisachdus Harabonim Di'Lakewood re: Strawberries / Blueberries

ALL Fresh, Frozen, canned, pie-filling Blueberries were found to be highly infested.

NOTE: Lakewood's KCL is not a Kashrus Organization per se, KCL is a political Organization [they fear Hisachdus of Brooklyn-hence no alerts from KCL] The money they take, is "protection-money".
Do not use any product with blueberries, including;
pies

Pie-filling
Cheese cake
Muffins
Gevina yougurts and Lebens

Reb Lipa Klein Crc Hisachdus Brooklyn says;
Hisachdus doesn't make recalls.

Update: Lakewood "therapists & Mentors" are רודפים

Lakewood "Therapists & Mentors" just broke another family!!
Protect our children?

Don't push "Ritalin" on them like lollipops.
Ritalin? sure! so the School administrators can provide paying clients to their therapists.


Don't let Therapist [Terrorists](backed by Rabbonim) to break apart families. [Their success rate in at 99%]

Don't let the Rabbonim and therapists run for restraining orders against their husbands, who happens to be the father of her children.
She is throwing her children to the dogs. That's what revenge is.

Don't work in unison to support financially the therapists, by sending the parents, the children, etc. to therapy.

That's perhaps why children lost their respect for Rabbonim!

Don't allow the מקוה to break families. Terrorists & Rabbonim do it constantly R"L

מקוה schedules in WG are by pay-for-play? 
Get rid of the ones in charge, from the Rabbonim down. Get rid of the corruption in WG.
Don't play dumb.

A must for every parent to watch

Queens consumers- get all the protein in your salads

Another Queens Vaad establishment with infestation issues. When will the vhq administration finally decide to fix the issues?

We think Chodesh Elul is a good time to fix the issues and stop feeding people forbidden insects.

The consumers of queens are eagerly awaiting the day that the vaad will decide to bring kashrus standards up to par.

UPDATE: Bais Yosef "Bais-Din" V the fraudulent Bais Yosef bais din

Bais Yosef  Bais Din- "The rest of the story"

The Bais Din of Bais Yosef is a division of yeshiva Bais Yosef Yeshiva. A division founded by  Harav Hagaon Hagodal Rav Yakov chaim Jofen zt”l. of saintly memory who was president and dean of the Bais Yosef yeshiva and had final say over anything yeshiva related, upon his passing that authority passed to his son Hagaon Harav Reb Mordechai Joffen Shlita the present dean and Rosh Yeshiva. The Bais Din Bais Yosef belongs to Yeshiva Bais Yosef.

In or about 2009, Rav Joffen dismissed Rabbis Alt, Gurewitz and Landau from their positions at the Bais Din for incompetence, disloyalty and dishonesty to the yeshiva. The dismissal was upheld in arbitration by a Psak of the Bais Din Tzedek Umishpat that ruled; Rabbi Alt et al has absolutely no rights in Yeshiva Bais Yosef. They were prohibited from using the name Bais Din Bais Yosef or any similar name which belongs to the yeshiva, nor any bank account using  Bais Yosef / Bais Din or similar name.

They are illegally continue using the name and misrepresenting themselves as being the Bais Din of the Bais Yosef yeshiva they are  misappropriating the name and misleading the public who wrongly believe that they are still associated with the yeshiva. They are misappropriating the good name and good will of a yeshiva that's been in the Joffen family for 130 years 

New England Journal of Medicine recent article re: eating raw fish

A 36-year-old previously healthy woman presented with a 2-day history of severe chest pain and epigastric pain associated with nausea and vomiting. Physical examination showed moderate abdominal tenderness, without guarding or rebound in the epigastrium. Laboratory tests, including cardiac enzyme levels, were normal. 

An electrocardiogram and a radiograph of the chest were normal. The patient reported that she had consumed uncooked salmon approximately 2 hours before the chest pain developed. Computed tomography of the abdomen revealed diffuse thickening of the gastric wall. Gastroscopy revealed multiple anisakis larvae penetrating into the mucosa in the esophagogastric junction, fundus, upper body, middle body, and antrum of the stomach. 

Eleven larvae were removed with the use of endoscopic forceps (see video), after which the patient’s symptoms resolved. Anisakiasis is a parasitic infection of the gastrointestinal tract in humans that is caused by the consumption of raw or inadequately cooked seafood containing third-stage larvae of the nematode Anisakis simplex or related species.

Blueberries in baked goods in Gourmet Glatt Lakewood? Kcl & Tartikuv "MC" hashguchas?

Caterers under the Volover Rav [Palace caterers supplies hospitals, & or airlines etc] may be using Empire poultry processed poultry.

I didn't know, when did the Volover change?
Is it being used also by Regal Airline meals?

From an email re: Orange Juice filters

Rav Shein, The reason not to use the 230 mesh filter for orange juice is because according to many puskim you don't have to filter bichlal if you use a 230 mesh.

The 230 mesh removes so much from the oroanje juice that it loses it's juice taste.

I even think reb shlomo miller says the same ting.


[The Aida Bdatz Yerushalem juice filter is "80" mesh.] ys

RE: Open containers of milk in a non-Jewish store-

SUBSTITUTION AND ADULTERATION OF CHOLOV YISROEL

The following article was brought to my attention.

http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/headlines-breaking-stories/453815/the-great-open-milk-bottle-controversy.html

since there are major errors in this article "factual and Halachik",  I am forced to publish the proper view according to our SHULCAHN ARUCH. The issue we will deal with is using milk in an open container being labeled with a CHOLOV YISROEL label (Golden Flow, Pride of the Farm, etc), at a NON JEWISH convenience store. The author claims the laws governing this type of transaction are contained in SIMAN 118 (the 108 which is printed is probably a typo). This is 100% wrong. SIMAN 118 is discussing milk which is owned by a JEW and is being stored or transported by a NON JEW. 

In the scenario of a convenience store the milk is entirely owned by the NON JEW and he is selling it with the claim (inferred from the label on the bottle) that this is CHOLOV YISROEL. This is covered by the SHULCHAN ARUCH in SIMAN 114 SIF 4 כל אלו המשקים וכן החומץ של שכר אסור לקנותם מהם אם דמיהם יקרים מדמי היין שאנו חוששים שמא עירב בהו יין (עד שאין ס' לבטלו) בד''א כשמוכרים בחנות אבל אם רואה שמוציאים אותו מהחבית מותר ולא חיישינן שמא עירב בו יין שאם היה מערב יין בהחבית היה מתקלקל   

In SIF 5 it says as follows יין רמונים שמוכרים לרפואה מותר ללוקחו מהתגר אפילו שלא מהחבית אע''פ שדמיו יקרים מהיין משום דכיון דאית ביה קפידא לא מרע נפשיה  We see clearly from here that the rule of  לא מרע נפשיה  only applies to a TAGAR and not a CHANUS. A convenience store would definitely be classified as a CHANUS. In addition since the price of CHOLOV YISROEL is about $3.00  per gallon more than supermarket milk, we have also met the threshold of  דמיהם יקריםone would therefore be 100% prohibited from purchasing a coffee with milk from an open bottle in a convenience store.

The spoilage issue is dealt with by the Shulchan Aruch in the Bais Yosef on SIF 4. The Bais Yosef explains even though one is allowed to buy from the CHANUS when he sees the drink being taken from a barrel because we assume that the owner would not pour wine in the barrel since it tends to spoil the contents of the barrel, we still say that he is not allowed to buy the drinks being poured from smaller containers in the CHANUS, why do we not make the same assumption that the wine will spoil the contents. 

This is because the wine poured into containers are in small amounts and the containers are used up frequently therefore there is no fear of spoilage to inhibit the owner from adulterating the drink. The same applies to milk, we are not suspect that the owner will buy 10 gallons of supermarket milk and fill 20 CHOLOV YISROEL bottles and keep them for a week, but instead will buy one or two gallons and fill 2 or 4 containers for a one or two day supply where spoilage is nonexistent.

The lawsuit issue. Even though the mathematical possibility exists for a law suit we still have to use common sense and see if this possibility would deter a convenience store owner from substituting milk. The McDonalds law suit was filed by a major law firm which had the resources for this type of undertaking and hoped for a return on the investment, since McDonalds is a company with major assets. No normal law firm would expend tens of thousands of dollars filing a law suit against a convenience store whose owner has no assets. 

There is no normal convenience store owner in his right mind that would let the fear of a ten million dollar law suit deter him from saving $3.00 a gallon on milk. Even if we know for sure that the owner is a chronic paranoid he could also substitute the milk in his house and bring it to the store.  Therefore making sure the only way he could be caught would be to test the DNA in his milk against the DNA of all the CHOLOV YISROEL cows and prove that it doesn’t match.

We have a clear Halacha in the Shulchan Aruch which prohibits purchasing milk from a convenience store. There is no plausible HETER to permit this. For anyone wishing to read about how this Halacha was violated several years ago by a major Kashrus organization with a major food manufacturer you can download the followinghttp://www.bohirus.com/pdf/current/shufra.pdf                                                          

Toshav Monsey                                                                                                                 toshav@optimum.net

THIS EXXON IS UNDER THE "KCL". SEE THE CHOLOV AKUM TOGETHER WITH THE CHOLOV YISROEL, for the worker to pour into the cholov yisroel as needed.

BTW- Cholov akum in the USA is Cholov Treif per Reb Moshe in a Teshuva, and Rav Eliyashev, Rav Wosner, Rav Shlomo Zalman, etc.

In Germany it may be Cholov Stam per Reb Moshes Teshuva.