Minced fish: meat consists of minced flesh removed from the fish carcasses by cuts made parallel to the backbone.
Ground fish: Consits of fish meat that was ground. Sometimes it's ground twice for a finer mix.
Surimi, Fish sticks, etc use "minced fish" not ground fish. Some fish have an issue with anisakis or other imbedded worms in the flesh,
Pollock is one of those that have kashrus concerns. Therefore if it's minced, you should refrain from using it.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
STRAWBERRIES, may be used "only" after peeling them
RE: Frozen strawberries. There are at least 3 frozen strawberries with hashgochas. The cold facts are that frozen strawberries have minimized but not eliminated the infestation completly.
In Eretz Yisroel all of the reliable Hashgochas say that the frozen strawberries must be "pureed" and "cooked" prior to using them. All of the frozen strawberries with any hashgocha in the USA "must" also be pureed and cooked prior to use, including the ones with EIDAH's Hashgocha.
Edible Flowers, how badly are they infested?
Edible flowers come in beautiful shades of various colors and they are edible also. The kashrus issue is the "protein" contained in the flowers because of the high incident of insects, live ones as well. Therefore even if you don't eat them, they should not be on the plate because some of those insects are very much alive and they may enjoy your food on the plate.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
The "Mother" of Lakewood's problems

The Pretzel Lady
A little old lady sold pretzels on a street corner for 25 cents each. Every day a young man would leave his office building at lunch time and as he passed the pretzel stand, he would leave her a quarter, but never take a pretzel.
This went on for more than 3 years. The two of them never spoke. One day, as the young man passed the old lady's stand and left his quarter as usual, the pretzel lady spoke to him. Without blinking an eye she said:
Lasagna infestation dilema

Heimish pasta has often been infested for a few reasons. Some of the the Heimish companies produce annually or bi-annualy. Some of them therefore do not put on date codes. Some of them have very poor humid hot storage facilities. Either the insects are found before cooking or while cooking. Lasagna presents a unique problem, as its cooked with the sauce & added product, one can't see the infestation.Oranges & Tangerines are coated with "LAC" (non-kosher), and scale.

*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Oranges & Tangerines may be coated with Lac resin (an extract from insects). we have seen it printed on the bags at Shop-Rite. If one intends to use orange rind, the Lac resin would be a concern. Another concern would be that at times on citrus fruits there are tiny inbedded insects or larvae known as "scale".
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Ensuring Food Safety and Kashrus Protection Through Supply Chain "TRACEABILITY"
Executive Summary
To ensure the safety of the domestic and global food supply, demands for brand protection assurance are on the rise from customers and the food industry marketplace itself, along with increasing national and global food safety initiatives. To address these growing requirements, food processors and distribution warehouses up and down the supply chain now find automated traceability systems are a virtual necessity. For many food processors, the current challenge is to identify an automated approach to traceability that is both cost-effective and a good fit for their current business operations.
http://www.pddnet.com/WhitePapersPortal/wpContent.aspx?id=100719&source=Food_WhitePaper_Blast
To ensure the safety of the domestic and global food supply, demands for brand protection assurance are on the rise from customers and the food industry marketplace itself, along with increasing national and global food safety initiatives. To address these growing requirements, food processors and distribution warehouses up and down the supply chain now find automated traceability systems are a virtual necessity. For many food processors, the current challenge is to identify an automated approach to traceability that is both cost-effective and a good fit for their current business operations.
http://www.pddnet.com/WhitePapersPortal/wpContent.aspx?id=100719&source=Food_WhitePaper_Blast
Falsely claimed the OU certified its "tilapia" fish as kosher
The Orthodox Union is suing a Pennsylvania-based seafood-importing company, saying it falsely claimed the OU certified its tilapia fish as kosher, highlighting a common problem in the increasingly global kosher marketplace.
In a suit filed in federal court in Manhattan this month, the Orthodox Union, a Manhattan not-for-profit with a kosher division, sued Western Edge Inc. for trademark infringement and deceptive trade practice, alleging the unauthorized use of its registered certification mark. The suit alleges that Western Edge produced a fraudulent letter when asked by a Brooklyn food company about the kosher status of its tilapia fillets.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
This is the answer?
ששאלתם שקמו אנשים שמשתדלים להיות השלוח' דרבנן בעניני הציבור וכו''
שולחן ערוך חושן משפט, סימן ג' סעיף ד
רמ"א וז"ל -להושיב דינים ושופטים מי שירצה ומכל מקום מי שעושה זה בלא רשות הקהל (י"ג) מצער הציבור ועתיד ליתן את הדין תשובת רשב"א
אורים ותומים (י"ג) מצער הציבור. הוא לשון ריב"ש בתשובה, והרמ"א העתיקו ,ותמהני שלא העתיק שהוא חרם רבינו תם ורשב"ם וראב"ן וק"ן רבנים והוא בתשובת מהר"ם דפוס פראג בסופו (קנט-ב') וז"ל, ועוד גזרנו ונידינו וחרמנו בשמתא ובשם מיתה שלא יהיה אדם רשאי ליטול שררה על הציבור לא ע"י מלך וכו 'כי לענוש וכו 'אם לא שימנו אותם רוב הקהל מפני חשיבותם , והעובר על זה וכו' פתו פת כותי וכו' 'ושו נפשו ינוח ברכות על ראשו, עכ"ל.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
No shabbos Cameras! Shuls, Yeshivas, have cameras? Check it out.
A few years ago, the Yerushalayim municipality installed a number of security cameras throughout the Old City. It was a time when there was a rash of stabbings and stabbing attempts in the Old City, and the cameras were aimed at helping catch the perps and also discouraging crime in the future, as perps will know they can more easily be apprehended.The issue was raised that perhaps the cameras operating on Shabbos would be a problem for those walking through the Old City on Shabbos to go to the Kosel.Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Who is the ultimate decider that it's acceptably kosher?
You!, You are making the ultimate decision that it meets your kashrus standard, when you put it in your mouth,
Herring is on the way out, Herring salad is on the way in.
Non-Checked produce being put into packaging with Hashgochas
נתפס כשחברתו אורזת עלי ירק לא מפוקחים בתוך שקיות הנושאות ציוני כשרות מהודרים והרבנות המקומית
עלי ירק המוצגת כמפוקחת (גם אם היא נושאת מותגי כשרות ידועים) ממשווק זה עד להודעה חדשה. נא ליידע את המשגיחים בהתאם גוש חי"ה המעידים על ירק ללא תולעים ובכך נגרמה הכשלה חמורה לציבור. הואיל ואירוע זה אינו הראשון אצל משווק זה הוחלט כי אין לקלוט כל תוצרת של הרבנות הראשית לישראל
THE CHIEF RABBINATE OF ISRAEL
היחידה הארצית לאכיפת חוק איסור הונאה בכשרות
Monday, December 13, 2010
ALL TRUMP (General Mills) is heavily infested at this time
ALL TRUMP (General Mills) is heavily infested at this time.
New Square Kashrus Council-Rabbi C. M. Wagshal, Rabbinic Administrator
New Square Kashrus Council-Rabbi C. M. Wagshal, Rabbinic Administrator
Friday, December 10, 2010
RONZONI elbows infested
The following information regarding insect infestation is from the hakhel.info with additional information from the OU and posted on December 7, 2010. Hakhel.info reported insect infestation has been found in boxes of Ronzoni Elbows. People who keep yoshon and others should be aware that improper storage conditions may be a factor in insect infestation.
Wednesday, December 01, 2010
Saturday, November 27, 2010
A very nice Shabbos and Yom-Tov minhag

There is at least one family that at all seudas Shabbos & Yom-Tov each adult (including guests) reads out loud 1 page of "the 39 Melochos of Shabbos" by Rabbi Ribiat.It doesn't long to finish all of the 39 melochos, and then they do it again.
The chofetz Chaim writes that it's pratically impossible for one to observe Shabbos properly without constantly reviewing Hilchas Shabbos.
The chofetz Chaim writes that it's pratically impossible for one to observe Shabbos properly without constantly reviewing Hilchas Shabbos.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Ethics in Kosher certification
We owe it to the kosher consumer
We in the field of Kashrus have accepted a fiduciary responsibility on behalf of the kosher consumer. Therefore, we owe our fidelity to the kosher consumer to uphold and maintain that fiduciary responsibility.
Executives who face troubling decisions are often confused about how to arrive at the right, moral and ethical course of action. This is not surprising since by definition a “moral dilemma” is one where there is no clear right and wrong, only positives and negatives.
We in the field of Kashrus have accepted a fiduciary responsibility on behalf of the kosher consumer. Therefore, we owe our fidelity to the kosher consumer to uphold and maintain that fiduciary responsibility.
Executives who face troubling decisions are often confused about how to arrive at the right, moral and ethical course of action. This is not surprising since by definition a “moral dilemma” is one where there is no clear right and wrong, only positives and negatives.
Letter from Colgate About their Vegetarian Products
NOTE: Can one rely on the following letter that it's kosher? NO
Letter from Colgate About their Vegetarian Products
Letter from Colgate About their Vegetarian ProductsFor vegetarian consumers, Colgate offers a large selection of products free of animal-derived ingredients. With more consumers seeking such products every day, Colgate is committed to making it easier for consumers to identify and select these products.
Monday, November 22, 2010
PEPSICO is the biggest supporter of "Toeivah" Boycott their products-Pepsi & SABRA salads
The Strauss Group and PepsiCo each own 50 percent of Sabra Dipping Company.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Boilers In Kosher Production
In order to process/ cook food you need heat. In the commercial & industrial food processing, steam & hot water are used extensively. We will first explain the basics of the "Steam" boiler operating system, & then the concerns to the kosher consumer afterwards. The source used for steam and hot water is a "boiler", heated by different fuels.
Monday, November 15, 2010
PEPSI Alert-
There are PEPSI bottles that do NOT have a kosher certifying emblem on the bottle. Those plants are NOT kosher certified and therefore should not be consumed.From an Email
A COKE "VP" responded, If the OU is not comfortable to put their logo because they don't visit the plant, the kosher consumer shouldn't feel comfortable consuming it without the logo.
Purchasing food for your employees
Some thought re: Purchasing food for your employees.

In general employers do not provide food for their employees. At times the situation is such that the employer does provide food for the employees. A caterer on an outside or out of town job would usually provide food for his employees. At a company party the food is generally provided by the employer.
If none of the employees are Jewish, may the employer serve non-kosher food which of course is cheaper? Can the employer serve pepperoni pizza? Is there a question of Bosur- bi’cholov, which is ossur-bi’hanoah? The pepperoni is cooked together with the cheese on the pizza pie.

In general employers do not provide food for their employees. At times the situation is such that the employer does provide food for the employees. A caterer on an outside or out of town job would usually provide food for his employees. At a company party the food is generally provided by the employer. Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Saturday, November 06, 2010
What's In A Flavor? what may be some kashrus issues?
When manufacturing a flavor there will be the unwanted aroma etc. caused by the chemical reaction. How does the flavor scientist circumvent the problem? Most flavors are synthetic, there are over two thousand flavors in use & only five hundred are natural. The various chemicals used in a flavor are made in (PPM) parts per million.
Some of the common chemicals used in flavor manufacturing are; Amyl acetate, benzaldehyde, carvone, ethyl acetate, ethyl butyrate, and methyl salicylate among the many others. Each aroma chemical contributes to the success of the ultimate flavor.
Thursday, November 04, 2010
Can one rely on a Hetter not a Psak?
I was by Rav Eliyashev, Shlita last Elul to discuss various kashrus issues. Rav Eliyashev changed the subject and wanted to know if all of the facts are known as far as the ships carrying liquid food items. I told him that some of the information was gathered but numerous ships and shipping routes it's still unclear as what's being hauled, and is no relatively fool proof system in tracking all of the shipments e.g. South America, etc.Then Rav Eliyashev says והוא כבר עשה ההתירים שלו so I ask who is the Ruv speaking about that made his Heteirim רב בלסקי? He says yes,
Wednesday, November 03, 2010
Quail eggs? So many calls lately.
There are may types of quail, most do not have any Mesorah at all. There is such an over abundance of food available with mesorahs according to everyone so why bother?2. Are Guinea Fowl and Quail kosher? We would like to eat the eggs.
Don't use BRUNSWICK SARDINES ALERT- No Mashgiach Temidi? Why?
DON"T USE BRUNSWICK SARDINES, nor any sardines without a Mashgiach-Temidi
Crustaceans are being found in them, in one can after the other- They must all be recalled.

The following kashrus alert is from a reader's question and consultation with the OU and Bumble Bee on September 22, 2010. A reader reported finding krill, a small crustacean similar in appearance to a small shrimp in some cans of Brunswick Sardines in Olive Oil. Sardines are a small herring and are a natural seafood product. The main components of the herring diet are krill and other zooplankton present in the ocean in which it lives.
Tuesday, November 02, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
What is Rinse N Chill?
Revolutionizing The Meat Processing Industry- Rinse & Chill™
http://mpscinc.com/home.html
The primary purpose of Rinse & Chill is more effective blood removal and faster reduction of pH and temperature. The result – cleaner, fresher meat that is more tender and palatable.
http://mpscinc.com/home.html
The primary purpose of Rinse & Chill is more effective blood removal and faster reduction of pH and temperature. The result – cleaner, fresher meat that is more tender and palatable.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Friday, October 15, 2010
S. URUGUAY Beef & cold cuts
After all is said and done many still refuse to use any beef products from the Uruguay Shechitas because they are not comfortable with kashrus standards.The Eidah says the problem still exist and the ratio of non kosher makes it economically not viable.
The Tevyas (fidler on the..) says their mashigihim were trained by the Eidah {add it to the list]. The rav Hamachshir of tevyas claims that he has many unknown heteirim from the Minchas Yitzchok. The sad fact is all of them happened after the "shloishim" of the minchas yitzchok.
Thursday, October 07, 2010
The EIDAH's Fish list בד"ץ ירושלי-ם not to use {only the farmed}
Cod
Flounder
Groupers
HakeHalibut
Herring (all)
Mackerell,
Sable
Sea Bass
Sole
Salmon wild (all)
Trout
Wednesday, October 06, 2010
Maytag double ovens
The Maytag double ovens have a common vent for the 2 ovens, therefore it may be a problem using it for Dairy & Meat {milchig / Fleishig}.
The so called Shabbos mode ovens & refrigerators should not be used on shabbos or yom-tov as the company intended.
All of the Major Poiskim came out against its use on Shabbos or Yom tov
The so called Shabbos mode ovens & refrigerators should not be used on shabbos or yom-tov as the company intended.
All of the Major Poiskim came out against its use on Shabbos or Yom tov
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Palm oil, Treif?
How can palm oil be truly treif? You bring in kosher palm-oil in unheated totes, so when it arives in the US it's a solid and can not be packaged. The palm oil must be heated in order to package it into smaller containers.
It was heated with "TREIF" steam, so the palm oil is now all treif, even if it carries a heimish or chasidish hashgocha, WOW!
This is a palm oil under Rav illowitz packed in Brazil, which is acceptable.
It was heated with "TREIF" steam, so the palm oil is now all treif, even if it carries a heimish or chasidish hashgocha, WOW!
This is a palm oil under Rav illowitz packed in Brazil, which is acceptable.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
































