Sunday, February 15, 2009

RAISINS INFESTED-all are אסור prior to checking

U. S. Food and Drug Administration -RAISINS, GOLDEN

Insects and insect eggs(AOAC 969.42 & MPM-V76)

10 or more whole or equivalent insects and 35 Drosophila eggs per 8 oz.

DEFECT SOURCE: Post harvest and/or processing infestation
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ALL RAISINS ARE SUSPECT INCLUDING "raisin-bran", Dole, Sun-Maid, Etc & the Heimishe (whatever that means) SHOULD NOT BE USED AT THIS TIME. It does fluctuate by batches, so if Rav Vaye said about a Brand, it may be that specific box only.

NOTE: The major & minor kosher certifiers always considered raisins etc as a group # 1. [which means they don't require any hashgocha]
The certifiers are overlooking the issue of infestation. All Hashgocha contracts must require a Company Quality Control for infestation. This would include any item that may become infested, flour, strawberries, dried fruits, nuts, etc.
BTW-Rav Eliyashev, shlita told me that he disagrees with the concept of GROUP 1's.

JUST ABOUT ALL RAISINS ARE INFESTED with insects that are נראה לעין AND SHOULD NOT BE USED AT THIS TIME, INCLUDING ALL THOSE WITH A HASHGOCHA AS WELL.

Tests were done on the Dole and Sun-Maid brands as well. In a 15 oz package there were found in excess of 50 insects.

RF Insect infestation / DiseasesUnder appropriate temperature and humidity conditions, there is a risk of infestation by maggots, mites, cockroaches, moths (dried fruit moth, meal moth, tobacco moth), beetles (sap beetles, sawtoothed grain beetles and flour beetles), rats, mice and ants. Mite infestation may be determined by examination with a magnifying glass: mites may be distinguished from crystallized glucose because they are whitish, slow moving dots. Development from the egg to imago (sexually mature insect) takes approx. 10 days.A fumigation certificate must be provided. If infested by insects (mites, maggots etc.), raisins must be reconditioned by fumigation.