I heard from a dear friend "the most important doctrine in kashrus is
"Al-nitilas-yu'dayim"
(One hand washes the other-AKA=Shi'moir-li.....).
Monday, May 19, 2008
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Raspberry / Strawberry Jams infested?
Raspberry & Strawberry are infested fruits that practically speaking can't be cleaned properly-Therefore it should not be used at all. [At this time only the frozen FAIRMONT / eden brands
may be used].
Strawberry & Raspberry jam have pieces and therefore should not be used regardless of the kashrus symbol on it.
may be used].
Strawberry & Raspberry jam have pieces and therefore should not be used regardless of the kashrus symbol on it.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
CELERY Infested W/ MINERS IN THE STALKS
As reported by New Square Kashrus, due to the high incident of celery miners, Celery may not be used unless you are familliar in checking for "celery-miners".
THE MINERS ARE IN THE STALKS!
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Rambam on Kashrus
ובא וראה מה שכתב הרמב"ם ז"ל, וזה תוכן דבריו בקיצור על פי חכמת הטבע, כי מכל מיני מאכל ומשקה נעשה דם, ומהדם יורד אל הכבד, ומהכבד עולה הברירות אל הלב, ומהלב יורד המובחר והדק אל המוח, ושם שורה השכל וחיות של האדם. מי ששומר עצמו ממאכלות המותרות והאסור והטמא, נעשו דמיו צלולין וטהורין, ויש לו לב טהור, והמוח והחיות שלו נעשה חיות טהורות להשיג אמיתית החיות שהיא אלקות של כל העולמות המחי' את כולם. ומי ששומר עצמו יותר, ומקדש את אכילתו עפ"י דרכי ד' ותורתו, נעשה מזה בנין אב, והוא השכל לכל רמ"ח איבריו ומתקדשים ומתטהרים. וכן להיפוך ח"ו, נעשה בנין אב שכל עקור ומעופש בדעות זרות, וחיות שלו נעשה בחינת מת, והוא אבי אבות הטומאה וכו', ורמ"ח איבריו נטמאים וטמא טמא יקרא לכל דבר, ונעלם ממנו אמיתת החיות שהיא אלקות של כל העולמות, ונטמא ונופל לדיעות זרות ואלהים אחרים, הם אלילים אלמים מתים וזבחי מתים יקראו להם. לכן התנאים ואמוראים ובעלי המדות וחכמי המשנה הם שמרו נפשן שלא יתגאלו בפת בג הזקן וביין משתיו, ולכן האירו שכלם והי' שורה עליהם רוח הקודש, לפרש כל מאמר סתום בדת התורה הקדושה, כי שרתה עליהם כח אלקי, אשר הוא ואורייתא כולא חד ואור נשמתם ג"כ הוא חוט המשולש אשר לא ינתק לעולם ולעולמי עולמים. אבל אנשים הללו בודאי טמאים ונטמאו דמם, ומשם לבם ומוח שלהם נטמטם במאכלות האסורות והטמאות, ולכך החיות שלהם נוטה למינות ואפיקורסות, ולא יכלו לקבל מתיקות נופת צוף דברי מאמרינו הבנוים עפ"י שכל אלקי עולם ומלך עליון. והואיל והעיזו פניהם ויצאו לחוץ, פתאום יבוא עליהם הכורת, וכרות יכרתו אותם וכל אשר להם. וכך עלתה להם, כי לא היו ימים מועטים עד אשר בא עליהם מלך גדול והרג אותם וביזז כל אשר להם, עכת"ד. היוצא לנו מהנ"ל: שכל איש אשר רגליו עמדו על הר סיני, ואשר בוער בקרבו עדיין ניצוץ של יראת שמים, יפריש עצמו ובני ביתו מאכילת בשר בהמה אשר כל כשרותו אינו אלא סילוף וזיוף, וסמיית עיניים, כאשר הרבנים הצדיקים צועקים מרה.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Kosher standards must provide for "Traceability" of all products including bulk shipment via ships & Tankers
The following ISO article may be a first step for the kosher industry to have a level of comfort re: Traceability.
Note: Yudel Shain is a certified ISO Auditor ( and HAACP) and it would enhance kashrus control if more of the kosher certifiers would become trained in ISO Auditing. HAACP controls has no bearing at all on kashrus controls.
New ISO Standard to Facilitate Traceability in Food Supply Chains
(ISO: Geneva) -- The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) recently took another step toward ensuring the safety of food products for consumers with its ISO 22005 standard on traceability in the feed and food chain, the latest addition to the ISO 22000 series on food-management systems.
ISO 22005, “Traceability in the feed and food chain—General principles and basic requirements for system design and implementation,” establishes the principles and requirements for the design and implementation of a feed and food traceability system.
This standard will allow organizations operating at any step of the food chain to:
1-Trace the flow of materials (feed, food, their ingredients, and packaging)
2-Identify necessary documentation and tracking for each stage of production
3-Ensure adequate coordination between the different actors involved
4-Require that each party be informed of at least his direct suppliers and clients, and more
5-Moreover, a traceability system can improve the appropriate use and reliability of information, effectiveness, and productivity of the organization.
6-In recent years, cases of food poisoning and other outbreaks, such as mad cow disease, have illustrated the need for food-related standards that protect public health and reduce the negative social and economic effects of such crises.
1-Trace the flow of materials (feed, food, their ingredients, and packaging)
2-Identify necessary documentation and tracking for each stage of production
3-Ensure adequate coordination between the different actors involved
4-Require that each party be informed of at least his direct suppliers and clients, and more
5-Moreover, a traceability system can improve the appropriate use and reliability of information, effectiveness, and productivity of the organization.
6-In recent years, cases of food poisoning and other outbreaks, such as mad cow disease, have illustrated the need for food-related standards that protect public health and reduce the negative social and economic effects of such crises.
Because food-safety hazards can enter the food chain at any stage, adequate control and communication throughout the process is essential. One weak link in the supply chain can result in unsafe food, a serious danger to consumers with costly repercussions for suppliers.
A traceability system allows an organization to document and/or locate a product through the stages and operations involved in the manufacture, processing, distribution and handling of feed and food, from primary production to consumption. It can therefore facilitate the identification of the cause for nonconformity with a product(s), and the ability to withdraw and/or recall these if necessary.
Apart from public-health considerations, the new standard will also have other social and economic advantages. In the food industry, a diversity of retail and private quality schemes generate uneven levels of safety, confusion over requirements, and increased cost and complication for suppliers obliged to conform to multiple programs.
ISO 22005 offers a unique solution for good practice on a worldwide basis and thus contributes to lowering trade barriers.
“With ISO 22005, ISO contributes once more to safeguarding public health and encouraging the economic development of the global food industry in a manner that respects societal needs for safety,” says ISO secretary-general Alan Bryden. “In this way, ISO 22005 reflects the essence of the upcoming World Standards Day on Oct. 14, whose 2007 theme is ‘Standards and the Citizen: Contributing to Society.’”
ISO 22005:2007 uses the same definition of traceability as the Codex Alimentarius Commission and provides a complement for organizations implementing the ISO 22000 standard.
ISO 22000:2005, gives the basic requirements for a food-safety management system to ensure safe food supply chains.
Saturday, June 16, 2007
"SPANISH & green ONIONS-INFESTED" [REVISITED]
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/hort/news/hortmatt/2005/13hrt05a3.htm
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/gardbk/5onion.htm
The London Beth Din has issued a warning to shoppers that onions are becoming increasingly prone to insect infestation and therefore may not be kosher.
The announcement came on the heels of a ruling by the Chief Rabbi of the orthodox Bnei Brak community in Israel. Rabbi Moshe Leib Landau advised Israeli consumers to be aware that most locally produced onions were riddled with tiny bugs.
He said: “Until now the onions that were in stores here under rabbinical supervision were imported from abroad. “Very few batches of onions from Israel were found clean of insects. Rabbi Landau concluded: "Only those batches of onions that were found clean are in the stores under our supervision. But the public should still check on their own." Following the alert from Bnei Barak, a spokesman for the London Beth Din Kashrut Division said his team has been monitoring the situation in this country for six months.
Speaking exclusively to TJ, he said: “We have found these small white/grey insects which appear as dots around one millimetre in diameter are more prevalent in Spanish onions than the English variety and appears to be worse in a double onion.“These insects can be found as deep as the core of the onion and we would advise all members of the public to be vigilant with all types.
”Until now, onions have generally been assumed to be unaffected by major insect contamination. A kashrut expert explained: “The Torah tells us we must check all vegetables that are prone to infestation, but we don’t have to check those that aren’t. The onion has always fallen into the latter category.”He added: “This could now lead to rabbis advising people to check all their onions down to the core. It will add an extra burden to people preparing meals.
“Basically, before the Beth Din can announce anything, it must monitor it. They can’t just send out a scare – it could just be a seasonal thing or a temporary glitch.“The only sure way for a consumer to catch something is by peeling the onion leaf by leaf. But if you just cut through the onion you won’t necessarily see anything.”Rabbis throughout the UK are now expected to make their own rulings following the news. Consumers have been advised to contact their local rabbis for further information. Noson Gluck, owner of Fruit of Eden green grocers in Edgware, said: “It’s not just onions, potatoes today also have insects. This is occurring in more and more vegetables. This is why I don’t get Spanish onions. I use Chilean ones.
”Resident TJ cookery expert Denise Phillips said: “Onions are a very useful seasoning so, if possible, I wouldn’t cut them out completely. They are used in a lot of dishes, such as cholent, fish cakes, meatballs, chopped liver, egg and onions and all types of soups.”She advised concerned consumers to check their onions as closely as possible and wash them thoroughly with salt water before using them.
This latest warning from the London Beth Din follows an alert earlier this year over the kosher credentials of strawberries. The Kedassia kashrut authority issued an emergency ban on the fruit in March after two incidents where strawberries were passed by their supervisors at public events but were subsequently found to be contaminated with insects. Unlike onions, however, the summer fruit is notoriously susceptibleto infestation.
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/gardbk/5onion.htm
The London Beth Din has issued a warning to shoppers that onions are becoming increasingly prone to insect infestation and therefore may not be kosher.
The announcement came on the heels of a ruling by the Chief Rabbi of the orthodox Bnei Brak community in Israel. Rabbi Moshe Leib Landau advised Israeli consumers to be aware that most locally produced onions were riddled with tiny bugs.
He said: “Until now the onions that were in stores here under rabbinical supervision were imported from abroad. “Very few batches of onions from Israel were found clean of insects. Rabbi Landau concluded: "Only those batches of onions that were found clean are in the stores under our supervision. But the public should still check on their own." Following the alert from Bnei Barak, a spokesman for the London Beth Din Kashrut Division said his team has been monitoring the situation in this country for six months.
Speaking exclusively to TJ, he said: “We have found these small white/grey insects which appear as dots around one millimetre in diameter are more prevalent in Spanish onions than the English variety and appears to be worse in a double onion.“These insects can be found as deep as the core of the onion and we would advise all members of the public to be vigilant with all types.
”Until now, onions have generally been assumed to be unaffected by major insect contamination. A kashrut expert explained: “The Torah tells us we must check all vegetables that are prone to infestation, but we don’t have to check those that aren’t. The onion has always fallen into the latter category.”He added: “This could now lead to rabbis advising people to check all their onions down to the core. It will add an extra burden to people preparing meals.
“Basically, before the Beth Din can announce anything, it must monitor it. They can’t just send out a scare – it could just be a seasonal thing or a temporary glitch.“The only sure way for a consumer to catch something is by peeling the onion leaf by leaf. But if you just cut through the onion you won’t necessarily see anything.”Rabbis throughout the UK are now expected to make their own rulings following the news. Consumers have been advised to contact their local rabbis for further information. Noson Gluck, owner of Fruit of Eden green grocers in Edgware, said: “It’s not just onions, potatoes today also have insects. This is occurring in more and more vegetables. This is why I don’t get Spanish onions. I use Chilean ones.
”Resident TJ cookery expert Denise Phillips said: “Onions are a very useful seasoning so, if possible, I wouldn’t cut them out completely. They are used in a lot of dishes, such as cholent, fish cakes, meatballs, chopped liver, egg and onions and all types of soups.”She advised concerned consumers to check their onions as closely as possible and wash them thoroughly with salt water before using them.
This latest warning from the London Beth Din follows an alert earlier this year over the kosher credentials of strawberries. The Kedassia kashrut authority issued an emergency ban on the fruit in March after two incidents where strawberries were passed by their supervisors at public events but were subsequently found to be contaminated with insects. Unlike onions, however, the summer fruit is notoriously susceptibleto infestation.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Liquid food transported in tank trucks [some of the KASHRUS concerns]
In the Pesach 5758 issue of Bnei-Torah Newsletter the following issue was addressed.
The tank trucks that transport liquid food product get washed in a commercial "wash-rack. The washing cycle has a pre-wash that removes the food product residue that is remaining in the tanker. Plain (no-detergent) water is recirculated at 180 F through a spray-ball that is inserted into the top of the tanker.
The pre-wash water is actually re-used water from previous trucks that likely have transported non-kosher product. The rational being, it's only to clean out the residue. The tanker has now become non-kosher "ben yomoi" by the pre-wash (190 F) hot water that was spray-balled into the tanker.
There are so called "designated-tankers" that only transport kosher product, that become non-kosher after passing through the wash-rack. The rest of the washing cycle is not suffecient to kosherize the "ben-yomoi" tanker.
At times product is filled hot or remains in the tanker 24 hours (kovush). Some tankers have heating coils which make them a kli-rishon.
Some tankers will not do a complete washout in between similiar loads. A parve chocolate without a cleanout may follow a dairy chocolate load, which may also be an alergen concern.
In order not to go back empty, truckers will "back-haul" another load unbeknown to the transport Company. That load may very well be a non-kosher load in a "designated-tanker".
Other Companies insist that there are seals put on in order to prevent back-hauilng. The driver in order to make a few extra dollars will fake putting on the seals, which will be put on after the back-haul is unloaded.
The tank trucks that transport liquid food product get washed in a commercial "wash-rack. The washing cycle has a pre-wash that removes the food product residue that is remaining in the tanker. Plain (no-detergent) water is recirculated at 180 F through a spray-ball that is inserted into the top of the tanker.
The pre-wash water is actually re-used water from previous trucks that likely have transported non-kosher product. The rational being, it's only to clean out the residue. The tanker has now become non-kosher "ben yomoi" by the pre-wash (190 F) hot water that was spray-balled into the tanker.
There are so called "designated-tankers" that only transport kosher product, that become non-kosher after passing through the wash-rack. The rest of the washing cycle is not suffecient to kosherize the "ben-yomoi" tanker.
At times product is filled hot or remains in the tanker 24 hours (kovush). Some tankers have heating coils which make them a kli-rishon.
Some tankers will not do a complete washout in between similiar loads. A parve chocolate without a cleanout may follow a dairy chocolate load, which may also be an alergen concern.
In order not to go back empty, truckers will "back-haul" another load unbeknown to the transport Company. That load may very well be a non-kosher load in a "designated-tanker".
Other Companies insist that there are seals put on in order to prevent back-hauilng. The driver in order to make a few extra dollars will fake putting on the seals, which will be put on after the back-haul is unloaded.
Saturday, April 07, 2007
BROCOLLI & CAULIFLOWER
Broccoli and Cauliflower May Lose Kashrus Jerusalem… by Idele Ross, KosherToday Israel Bureau…
Three Israeli companies and an importer representing a US company, all of whom produce frozen broccoli and cauliflower for the Israeli market are in jeopardy of losing the kashrus certification for these products.
Testing carried out on behalf of the Chief Rabbinate’s Kashrus Department found microscopic insects which render the two popular vegetables nonkosher by Jewish law. The department is awaiting a final decision from the rabbinate regarding the next steps.
Maariv reported that the three Israeli companies: Sunfrost, Milotel and Pri-Galil and the American Bodek company have been notified by the Rabbinate about the change. Contacts between the companies and the Kashrut division are underway in order to prevent the certifications from being withdrawn.
Three Israeli companies and an importer representing a US company, all of whom produce frozen broccoli and cauliflower for the Israeli market are in jeopardy of losing the kashrus certification for these products.
Testing carried out on behalf of the Chief Rabbinate’s Kashrus Department found microscopic insects which render the two popular vegetables nonkosher by Jewish law. The department is awaiting a final decision from the rabbinate regarding the next steps.
Maariv reported that the three Israeli companies: Sunfrost, Milotel and Pri-Galil and the American Bodek company have been notified by the Rabbinate about the change. Contacts between the companies and the Kashrut division are underway in order to prevent the certifications from being withdrawn.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Dart Foam Cups & plates & kashrus issues
The following items were gathered by others.
DART FOAM CONTAINERS FOR FOODS Fri Feb 09 11:17:10 CST 2007
Dart Corporation has informed MCG in writing that the releasing agent Zinc Stearate used on their molds for the manufacturing of polystyrene products is obtained from animal fat.
Crest Toothpaste -Sun Jan 07 09:58:07 CST 2007
Procter & Gamble Company has informed MCG that Crest, "Pro Health Toothpaste" is made with animal derived ingredients.
The following Crest toothpastes are made without animal derived ingredients and there is no information about presence or absence of alcohol in flavor.
1. Cavity Protection Toothpaste
a. Regular Flavor
b. Cool Mint Jell
2. Anti Cavity Toothpaste
a. Rgeular Flavor
3. Kid Crest
The rest of Crest toothpastes contain animal derived ingredients.
Enfamil Nutramigen, Nutramigen Lipil and Similac's Alimentum baby formulas are made with proteolytic enzyme such as protease, obtained from pork pancreas to hydrolyze protein. Both products are recommended for babies having allergic reaction to milk, soy, wheat.
Ross Laboratory's Elecare Powder is answer for babies having allergic reaction to milk, soy and wheat. This product is made with Kosher Parve ingredients but without Kosher symbol dueto Kosher dairy status according to Ross Laboratory. This product do not contain Nucleotide. This product is not available at supermarkets but can be obtained from http://www.rossstore.com/ or calling 1-800=367-6852.
CONFECTIONER;S GLAZE -Thu Dec 28 22:30:43 CST 2006
Confectioner's or Resinous's glaze is a coating on candy or sprinkle. Confectioner's glazes are alcohol solutions of various type of food grade Shellac. Shellac is the secretion of Coccus lacca insects deposited on tree in India. The concentration of shellac in confectioner's glaze is between 20-30%. The lowest alcohol content of confectioner's glaze is about 3.5%. The confection's glaze is applied to hard and cured candies in a pan.
The shellac is also providing some lac wax. The purpose of confectioner glaze on candies is to provide durable, glossy finish; other coatings will not provide shinny gloss like shellac. Same glaze is applied in pharmaceutical products.
We recommend avoiding all candies with confectioner's glaze.
DART FOAM CONTAINERS FOR FOODS Fri Feb 09 11:17:10 CST 2007
Dart Corporation has informed MCG in writing that the releasing agent Zinc Stearate used on their molds for the manufacturing of polystyrene products is obtained from animal fat.
Crest Toothpaste -Sun Jan 07 09:58:07 CST 2007
Procter & Gamble Company has informed MCG that Crest, "Pro Health Toothpaste" is made with animal derived ingredients.
The following Crest toothpastes are made without animal derived ingredients and there is no information about presence or absence of alcohol in flavor.
1. Cavity Protection Toothpaste
a. Regular Flavor
b. Cool Mint Jell
2. Anti Cavity Toothpaste
a. Rgeular Flavor
3. Kid Crest
The rest of Crest toothpastes contain animal derived ingredients.
Enfamil Nutramigen, Nutramigen Lipil and Similac's Alimentum baby formulas are made with proteolytic enzyme such as protease, obtained from pork pancreas to hydrolyze protein. Both products are recommended for babies having allergic reaction to milk, soy, wheat.
Ross Laboratory's Elecare Powder is answer for babies having allergic reaction to milk, soy and wheat. This product is made with Kosher Parve ingredients but without Kosher symbol dueto Kosher dairy status according to Ross Laboratory. This product do not contain Nucleotide. This product is not available at supermarkets but can be obtained from http://www.rossstore.com/ or calling 1-800=367-6852.
CONFECTIONER;S GLAZE -Thu Dec 28 22:30:43 CST 2006
Confectioner's or Resinous's glaze is a coating on candy or sprinkle. Confectioner's glazes are alcohol solutions of various type of food grade Shellac. Shellac is the secretion of Coccus lacca insects deposited on tree in India. The concentration of shellac in confectioner's glaze is between 20-30%. The lowest alcohol content of confectioner's glaze is about 3.5%. The confection's glaze is applied to hard and cured candies in a pan.
The shellac is also providing some lac wax. The purpose of confectioner glaze on candies is to provide durable, glossy finish; other coatings will not provide shinny gloss like shellac. Same glaze is applied in pharmaceutical products.
We recommend avoiding all candies with confectioner's glaze.
Sunday, January 28, 2007
RUSSIAN HATS & SHATNEZ
Bs’d-INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL SHATNEZ LABORATORIES
Yosef Sayagh 641 7th Street, Lakewood NJ 08701 (732) 364-7056 E-mail shatnezhedqtrs@yeshivanet.com
Editor: R’ Adam Singer (Savannah, Georgia)
Russian Caps–Jan ‘07
All Russian textiles must be carefully checked for shatnez before they are used. The Russian garment industry is known to make extensive use of linen and wool in all types of garments.
Rosh Hashanah is a time when thousands of yiden from all over the world come to the kever of Rav Nachman M’Breslov in Oman, Russia. R’ Yoel Schocket and R’ Eliezer Assoulin urged the askonim of Breslov to set up a temporary “Shatnez Testing Laboratory” in Oman, Russia,
The askonim launched a “shatnez awareness campaign” in Oman and requested that R’ Yoel Schocket and R’ Eliezer Assoulin make themselves available to test garments for shatnez starting a few days before Rosh Hashanah. This service has beeen available for the past three years.
R’ Yoel said “most of the Russian Hats (Kutchmers) that they tested were shatnez."
A Wool Russian cap bought in "Oman" Russia made its way to Mexico.
It was given to R’Moshe Cabasso (Mexico Shatnez lab) for testing.
R’ Moshe found an inner lining in the cap's beak that was 100% linen.
Russian hats have always been known to contain shatnez.
We find that the Chofetz Chaim in his sefer Machne Yisroel instucted Jewish soldiers in the Czar’s army to wear their uniform which contained shatnez only when faced with a risk of capital punishment for non-compliance. If not obligated to wear headgear , the Chofetz Chaim added, they should go bareheaded rather than wear a hat containing shatnez.
Yosef Sayagh 641 7th Street, Lakewood NJ 08701 (732) 364-7056 E-mail shatnezhedqtrs@yeshivanet.com
Editor: R’ Adam Singer (Savannah, Georgia)
Russian Caps–Jan ‘07
All Russian textiles must be carefully checked for shatnez before they are used. The Russian garment industry is known to make extensive use of linen and wool in all types of garments.
Rosh Hashanah is a time when thousands of yiden from all over the world come to the kever of Rav Nachman M’Breslov in Oman, Russia. R’ Yoel Schocket and R’ Eliezer Assoulin urged the askonim of Breslov to set up a temporary “Shatnez Testing Laboratory” in Oman, Russia,
The askonim launched a “shatnez awareness campaign” in Oman and requested that R’ Yoel Schocket and R’ Eliezer Assoulin make themselves available to test garments for shatnez starting a few days before Rosh Hashanah. This service has beeen available for the past three years.
R’ Yoel said “most of the Russian Hats (Kutchmers) that they tested were shatnez."
A Wool Russian cap bought in "Oman" Russia made its way to Mexico.
It was given to R’Moshe Cabasso (Mexico Shatnez lab) for testing.
R’ Moshe found an inner lining in the cap's beak that was 100% linen.
Russian hats have always been known to contain shatnez.
We find that the Chofetz Chaim in his sefer Machne Yisroel instucted Jewish soldiers in the Czar’s army to wear their uniform which contained shatnez only when faced with a risk of capital punishment for non-compliance. If not obligated to wear headgear , the Chofetz Chaim added, they should go bareheaded rather than wear a hat containing shatnez.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Brocolli spears
The following kashrus alert is from the OU on January 10, 2007.
Bodek 10 oz boxes Broccoli Spears (not bagged), Bodek Kosher Produce, Inc., Brooklyn, NY: Product bearing code #3193-ZK9 under OU, CRC, and Rav ....... certification is being reviewed for possible levels of insect infestation. Anyone in possession of this product code number is asked to call 212-613-8148, or email at kashalerts@ou.org. Consumers should also be advised that this product was packed in 2002 and has not been distributed by Bodek to stores within two years.
The previous alert can be cited with the URL: http://www.kashrut.com/Alerts/?alert=A1924
Bodek 10 oz boxes Broccoli Spears (not bagged), Bodek Kosher Produce, Inc., Brooklyn, NY: Product bearing code #3193-ZK9 under OU, CRC, and Rav ....... certification is being reviewed for possible levels of insect infestation. Anyone in possession of this product code number is asked to call 212-613-8148, or email at kashalerts@ou.org. Consumers should also be advised that this product was packed in 2002 and has not been distributed by Bodek to stores within two years.
The previous alert can be cited with the URL: http://www.kashrut.com/Alerts/?alert=A1924
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Sunday, January 07, 2007
ACIDOPHILUS-DAIRY???????
In general all "acidophilus" is dairy or on a dairy base.
There is NO dairy in Freeda's acidophilus. Freeda's plant is 100% dairy free.
There is NO dairy in Freeda's acidophilus. Freeda's plant is 100% dairy free.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
SHOULDER PADS-SHATNEZ
Bs’d INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL SHATNEZ LABORATORIES by R' Yosef Sayagh 641 7th Street, Lakewood NJ 08701 (732) 364-7056
E-mail shatnezhedqtrs@yeshivanet.com Editor: Yosef Stolz Los Angeles California
"Bitul Regarding the Linen Fibers that are found in the Cotton Fill of Shoulder Pads" – Aug ‘06
We would like to discuss shoulder pads that are constructed by placing raw fibers in between two layers of felt. The raw fibers are pressed and matted between two felt pad covers .The cotton fill sometimes contains linen fibers.
Question: Are the linen fibers botel? Answer: There are two cases:
1) The linen and cotton fibers are all the same color.
2) The linen fibers are a different color than the cotton fibers.
Case #1: If the fibers of linen are the minority and are not noticeable because they are the same color as the cotton fibers, the poskim have paskened l’heter, since they are botel. [If the fibers of linen are the majority, even though they are not noticeable, then bitul obviously does not apply.]
Case #2: If the fibers of linen are a different color than the cotton and are clearly noticeable, for example the linen fibers are brown and are mixed with white cotton fibers, it is a mach'lokes of poskim whether the fibers are botel.
What is the basis of the argument? The Tashbeitz [Vol 2, Teshuvah 4] says in the name of the Rashba, Ran, Ra’avad, and Tosafos: “The general rule of bitul does not apply when the issur is noticeable”[The Gilyon Ma’harsha (Yora Deah, 98:4) and the Taz (Orach Chaim, 632:3) say that this general rule because it is noticeable it isn't botul even if it is the minority is a din Mideoraisa,.
The Levush (see Minchas Yitzchok, Vol 10, end of response 97) says that this is only a din Miderabbonan.]What is the reason that something that is noticeable (nickar) cannot be nullified by the majority (botul berov)?
There are two explanations given:
1. Because the rule of nullification applies only when everything is totally mixed together. If the issur is noticeable, it is not mixed together.
2. The Tashbeitz says that the rule of nullification applies when everything is mixed together, if however the issur is situated in a known place, i.e. on the surface and not blended in with the heter, it can simply be removed. Why apply the rule of bitul when you can simply remove the issur?
The difference between these two explanations would be, if the issur is noticeable but it is not removable, according to the first explanation, the fact that it is noticeable renders it a separate entity, therefore the rule of bitul will not apply. [The fact that it is not removable does not change the ruling and it remains ossur.]
However, according to the second explanation, being noticeable is not the deciding factor. It all depends on if the issur is removable. Therefore, if the issur is not physically removable, even if it is noticeable, the rule of nullification (bitul) will apply. Rashba says that if an issur is noticeable but not removable, the rule of bitul will apply. [see Minchas Yitzchok (Vol 10, end of response 97) ]
The Tzemach Tzedek (Yora Deah, response 70 #5) adds that if it is only possible to remove the issur with great effort, one can rely on bitul. [See Malbushei Yesha (2, seif 11)]
Conclusion: If the fibers of linen are the minority but are noticeable, for example the linen fibers are brown & are mixed with white cotton fibers, then: According to the Tashbeitz, Rashba and Tzemach Tzedek; even though the linen fibers are noticeable, the rule of nullification applies, as explained above.
However some poskim paskened that there is certainly a makom to be mach'mir and it is appropriate to have these types of shoulder pads removed. They base this on the fact that, as noted above, some poskim conclude that the general rule of nullification does not apply when the linen fibers are noticeable, even though it is not possible to remove them.
Shoulder Pads -Joseph Abboud Men’s SuitR’ Dovid Ginsburg (Chicago) found brown linen fibers in the white cotton fill of a Joseph Abboud men’s suit, as seen in pictures below.
E-mail shatnezhedqtrs@yeshivanet.com Editor: Yosef Stolz Los Angeles California
"Bitul Regarding the Linen Fibers that are found in the Cotton Fill of Shoulder Pads" – Aug ‘06
We would like to discuss shoulder pads that are constructed by placing raw fibers in between two layers of felt. The raw fibers are pressed and matted between two felt pad covers .The cotton fill sometimes contains linen fibers.
Question: Are the linen fibers botel? Answer: There are two cases:
1) The linen and cotton fibers are all the same color.
2) The linen fibers are a different color than the cotton fibers.
Case #1: If the fibers of linen are the minority and are not noticeable because they are the same color as the cotton fibers, the poskim have paskened l’heter, since they are botel. [If the fibers of linen are the majority, even though they are not noticeable, then bitul obviously does not apply.]
Case #2: If the fibers of linen are a different color than the cotton and are clearly noticeable, for example the linen fibers are brown and are mixed with white cotton fibers, it is a mach'lokes of poskim whether the fibers are botel.
What is the basis of the argument? The Tashbeitz [Vol 2, Teshuvah 4] says in the name of the Rashba, Ran, Ra’avad, and Tosafos: “The general rule of bitul does not apply when the issur is noticeable”[The Gilyon Ma’harsha (Yora Deah, 98:4) and the Taz (Orach Chaim, 632:3) say that this general rule because it is noticeable it isn't botul even if it is the minority is a din Mideoraisa,.
The Levush (see Minchas Yitzchok, Vol 10, end of response 97) says that this is only a din Miderabbonan.]What is the reason that something that is noticeable (nickar) cannot be nullified by the majority (botul berov)?
There are two explanations given:
1. Because the rule of nullification applies only when everything is totally mixed together. If the issur is noticeable, it is not mixed together.
2. The Tashbeitz says that the rule of nullification applies when everything is mixed together, if however the issur is situated in a known place, i.e. on the surface and not blended in with the heter, it can simply be removed. Why apply the rule of bitul when you can simply remove the issur?
The difference between these two explanations would be, if the issur is noticeable but it is not removable, according to the first explanation, the fact that it is noticeable renders it a separate entity, therefore the rule of bitul will not apply. [The fact that it is not removable does not change the ruling and it remains ossur.]
However, according to the second explanation, being noticeable is not the deciding factor. It all depends on if the issur is removable. Therefore, if the issur is not physically removable, even if it is noticeable, the rule of nullification (bitul) will apply. Rashba says that if an issur is noticeable but not removable, the rule of bitul will apply. [see Minchas Yitzchok (Vol 10, end of response 97) ]
The Tzemach Tzedek (Yora Deah, response 70 #5) adds that if it is only possible to remove the issur with great effort, one can rely on bitul. [See Malbushei Yesha (2, seif 11)]
Conclusion: If the fibers of linen are the minority but are noticeable, for example the linen fibers are brown & are mixed with white cotton fibers, then: According to the Tashbeitz, Rashba and Tzemach Tzedek; even though the linen fibers are noticeable, the rule of nullification applies, as explained above.
However some poskim paskened that there is certainly a makom to be mach'mir and it is appropriate to have these types of shoulder pads removed. They base this on the fact that, as noted above, some poskim conclude that the general rule of nullification does not apply when the linen fibers are noticeable, even though it is not possible to remove them.
Shoulder Pads -Joseph Abboud Men’s SuitR’ Dovid Ginsburg (Chicago) found brown linen fibers in the white cotton fill of a Joseph Abboud men’s suit, as seen in pictures below.
Thursday, August 31, 2006
NON-KOSHER MEAT IN HATZLACHA GROCERY MONSEY
THERE WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE MEAT DEPARTMENT AT HATZLOCHA GROCERY WAS SELLING NON-KOSHER MEAT.
THE MEAT DEPARTMENT WAS SUBLET TO A MR.FINKEL WHOM HAD HIS BUTCHER IN A BACK AREA OF THE GROCERY.
ANY ONE THAT HAS PURCHASED MEAT PRODUCTS THAT WERE PROCESSED AT THAT FACILITY SHOULD "KASHER" THEIR UTENSILS.
THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THAT fINKEL WAS CAUGHT WITH THESE SHENANIGANS, ABOUT 8 YEARS AGO YEHUDA SHAIN CAUGHT HIM & REPORTED IT TO HIS RAV HAMACHSHIR & HIS MASHGIACH REB SHLOMO ULMAN, SHLITA, THEY DID NOTHING ABOUT IT & CONTINUED THE HASHGOCHA.
THE MEAT DEPARTMENT WAS SUBLET TO A MR.FINKEL WHOM HAD HIS BUTCHER IN A BACK AREA OF THE GROCERY.
ANY ONE THAT HAS PURCHASED MEAT PRODUCTS THAT WERE PROCESSED AT THAT FACILITY SHOULD "KASHER" THEIR UTENSILS.
THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THAT fINKEL WAS CAUGHT WITH THESE SHENANIGANS, ABOUT 8 YEARS AGO YEHUDA SHAIN CAUGHT HIM & REPORTED IT TO HIS RAV HAMACHSHIR & HIS MASHGIACH REB SHLOMO ULMAN, SHLITA, THEY DID NOTHING ABOUT IT & CONTINUED THE HASHGOCHA.
Sunday, January 15, 2006
A certifier the consumer can rely upon
The certification has been in the past mostly for industrial products.
As of late it has been available for the commercial and retail consumer as well.
As of late it has been available for the commercial and retail consumer as well.
The Double U certifies kosher weddings, Bar Mitzvahs, affairs, Hotels, etc.
To contact us;
kashrusy@aol.com
732-363-7979
Friday, September 09, 2005
Wednesday, December 31, 1969
Reliable, All pi Halacha by Lakewood Rabbonim-CHALA BURNING- KASHERING- SHAIMOS- over 20 years in Lakewood
Others are throwing Chala in the trash- WATCH THE CHALA BEING BURNED!
Pesach 5786 List- if anyone wants the list send an email kashrusy@aol.com, subject line- Pesach list-
Hisachdus
Harabonim Di’Lakewood-PESACH 5786/ by y. Shain-RECOMMENDED LIST- Must say
kosher for Passover on each item.
In general, OU-P” grocery items with no heimish
hashgocha on package is a preferred Pesach product, as OU Mashgichim are better
trained.
ALL SOUR DOUGH STARTER MAY NOT BE SOLD FOR PESACH,
IT must be burned - See Arugas Haboisem #112, among others. After Pesach One can order on-line,
Sour-dough Starter- (100+-year-old) from King Arthur flour co. A Goyish owned
co. w/ OU. https://shop.kingarthurbaking.com/items/classic-fresh-sourdough-starter
ALUMINUM
FOIL-
All year Hashgocha-Any
Baby
formula- MATERNA from Israel (all w/ separate keilim) -J&J, Ross, Similac
LeMehadrin 1,2,3, Sunrise
Baking
powder-, Bakers Choice, Gefen, Any
OU-P -Borsht- Gefen-,Any
OU-P
Cake
Cookies- Oberlander, Reismans Schick, Elegant, Gelbstein’s, Chantilly,
Bake master - not w/real raspberry jam.
Canned
vegetables- Any OU-P, , Gefen -CANDIES-
B’datz Yerushalem, Nirbartter, Volover, Any OU-P
CHEESE,
CREAM, BUTTER- J &; J, Mehadrin, Haolam, Norman’s, Givat,
Tenuva w/ Aida
Chocolates,
etc. Chocolate chips-, Bakers Choice, Carmit, Kedasia Any OU-P- OU Parve.
COCOA
Powder- Hersheys OU not special dark, cocoa mix- –Any OU-P
COFFEE
INSTANT- Nescafe house blend W/P, Tasters choice regular, Geffen, any
OU-P. Folgers, regular, no-P required.
COFFEE
WHITENER- Eden- Any OU-P CONFECTIONARY SUGAR- , Gefen, any OU-P
CRANBERRY
JUICE COCKTAIL & sauce-, Gefen, Kedem-Any OU-P
CROCK POT
LINERS- Geula, Fantastic, Reynolds-Any OU-P
FISH- King of
the Sea, Melech Yam, Dagim, Meal Mart, Fishy Neiman, Freund’s-must have “P”.
FLAVOR
EXTRACT- Bakers Choice, Gefen - FRENCH
FRIES- Eden-Any OU-P
FROZEN
VEGETABLES- Broccoli, Spinach,-
Positive / kosher garden, Be’leave Eidah, Blossom only w/ CRC Hisachdus
Dried fruit-w/OU P,
yumzee, manishtana, joseph Xavier, setton, no raisins or figs even W/
Hashgocha, use Craisins-OU P.
Frozen strawberries, only peeled Kosher Garden, High
Breeze farms, no others even w/ hashgocha
FRUIT
CANNED-, Gefen, Any OU-P
Garlic fresh must be peeled &;
rinsed-Frozen- Gefen, Any OU-P, must be rinsed well.
GRAPE JUICE- , Gefen,
Kedem, Schwartz, Hadar, Laufer.
GROCERY
ITEMS- , Masbia, Hadar, Meal Mart, Gefen, Any OU-P -Gold’s
products all ONLY with OU-P-
HONEY- , Broad,
Gefen, - Any OU-P Horse Radish-
Flaum, Tuv Taam, Any OU-P
Hotel for Pesach- ?????NONE! only
Openheimer’s
ICE CREAM- Mehadrin, J&J, Kleins, not with real fruit-strawberries,
blueberries or raspberries
JUICE - Golden
Flow, , New Square, Lakewood farms, Nature’s own (if made in Bayonne, NJ) Kedem
All Orange
Juice- MUST BE FILTERED w/ 150 mesh PRIOR TO USE-including
Dvash, golden flow, new square, Lakewood farms, etc.
KETCHUP- , Gefen,
- Any OU-P
KOSHER
GARDEN- POSTIVE, or Blossom with Hisachdus- PRE-CHECKED VEGIES
& Herbs, spinach, romaine, broccoli, etc.
KUGELS- Meal Mart
/ parve, W/OU-P
LEBEN,
YOGURT- Mehadrin, J&J, Norman’s. Givat strawberry &; blueberry
is from liquid-NO GEVINA BRAND
Lemon juice- Real
lemon &; Lime OU no P required -LIQUOR-Slivovitz,
Tam Pree, Carmel, All OU-P
MATZOS-HAND, East
Kenedy Lakewood/Bobov-prefered, Yad Binyomin, komemious-hand matzah only,
beit shemesh w/ skver, Yahlom w/ Kedasia,
Pupa-Tzeleim. MACHINE MATZOS- Beit Shemesh only w/ she’aris Hashgocha.
MACAROONS-
Oberlanders, Gefen & OU=-P
MARGARINE-Eden,
J&J, Mehadrin, Mothers, Haolam, Marshmallows- Gefen, Golden Fluff -MAYONAISE- , Gefen, Any OU-P
MEAT- Fishels,
Solomons, Birdsboro (available at Bingo), Alle. N. American only,
Teva-Rav Miller, Continental (Canada), Food-ex, Evergreen only Solomons. NO- Tevya's, no Agri Star, Aarons, KJ/KY beef, No
SBD, Meyuchad, no S. American Alle/Meal Mart.
Bais Yosef Beef- BirdsBoro “BY” (at
Bingo), fishels
& Solomon's BY- not any SBD, nor Meyuchad, nor KJ beef, nor Alle MealMart
MILK-Golden
Flow, Pride of the farm (all milked before pesach), Bethel, Wayside Goal milk
products.
NUTS-Baker’s
choice, No Klein’s, Any OU-P, Costco w/ OU-P, Kirkland almonds,
walnuts, plain ou. all unshelled nuts-no BTH, Nuts Galore, pecans-OU-P raw no
preservatives.
OIL-Cotton-seed,
Roberts, Pereg, Manischewitz, , Masbia, Hadar, Gefen, Nut-Ola-Any OU-P
OIL-HAZELNUT
/ WALNUT- Taamon w/ aidah, Gefen, lieber- check dates-over a year may be
rancid
OLIVE
OIL-GEFEN Pesach-(made a production with hashgocha from pressing through
bottling) Aida Oil-Grapeseed-Laufers,
or OU-P, Avocado- OU-P Note: OU on olive oil is not acceptable for
Pesach. PARCHMENT PAPER-Geula, Any OU-P or star-k p
POULTRY- Pella,
Mesorah, Skver, Kiryas Joel, David Elliot. No Meal Mart, nor Empire, nor
Aarons/Agri , no blu-pak @ Bingo
PICKLES- Flaum,
Tuv Taam- Any OU-P
Positive/Kosher
Garden or Blossom only with CRC/ Hisachdus- pre-checked vegies &;
herbs, spinach, romaine, broccoli, etc.
POTATO
CHIPS, STICKS- Blooms NOT Bloomy’s, Schwartz, Liebers, Golden
fluff - POTATO STARCH- , E&S,
Gefen, Any OU-P
POTATOES-INSTANT/MASHED- ,
dependable, Any OU-P -PRALINE PASTE-
Baker’s choice-Any OU-P
*Quinoa- for
sfardim w/ OU-P “very infested”-None for ashkenazim- Aida & R’ Shlomo
Miller says it’s Kitniyous
Raisins-blueberries-none due to infestation. *RICE-For
sfardim that use rice- LUNDBERGS -ROASTING BAGS- Geula, Reynolds
ROMAINE LETTUCE- positive, Kosher Garden or
Blossom only w/ CRC/ Hisachdus- All others require washing &expert
checking Romaine whole -none,
No Romaine Hearts from Andy Boy,
Costco, Heimish, Israeli even with hashgochas.
Spices-
Pereg, , Masbia, R&L, Hadar, Any OU-P
Sardines-Melech yam,
Dagim from morocco – Any OU- in water only-
Salmon- sides, w/skin Aldi’s, Fishing line- canned
“only- farmed”, fresh- frozen needs a pesach hashgocha
SUGAR-White
granulated USA W/ Pesach /Domino, Any OU-P - SALT non-iodized-W/ Pesach-all OU-P
SELTZER-UNFLAVORED-with
pesach hashgacha-Any OU-P -SELTZER
FLAVORED-Any OU-P, Vintage all flavors “P”
SOAP PADS- , Geulah,
Gefen, Rokeach, Any OU-P
SODA- American
dry, Be’er Mayim, Caffeine free Coca Cola, Classic Cola, Mayim Chaim, Mae
Tovim, Pepsi W Bdatz, Seagrams, Sprite W/ PESACH - Any OU-P- NOT DIET
Strawberries- Kosher
Garden Peeled-Frozen- NO other brands, Fresh, cut off top, peel the entire
berry.
Sushi- All Nori
sheets are infested w/ copepods. [Do not use any even during all year, use soy
or rice paper].
TEA INSTANT-,
Wisotzky, Nestea, LIPTON-Any OU-P -TEA
BAGS-Lipton, Pathmark, Shoprite, Wisotzky, Gefen-Any OU-P
TOMATO
PRODUCTS-, Gefen- any OU-P
TOOTHPASTE
Personal items- Zohar, Adwe, Orbitul, Any OU-P
TOPPING-Eden, -any
OU-P-VANILA SUGAR-, Bakers Choice, Gefen- any OU-P
Tuna- Shop-Rite
Any OU-P, Dagim, , King of the sea, Melech Yam, Season, Star-Kist OU-P
VEGETABLES
CANNED- , Gefen-Any OU-P -Vinegar
Balsamic- KEDEM NY Not Bartenura- VINEGAR-
, Kedem any OU-P Water- much available
w/ OU-P
Bottled
water- any OU, without minerals or flavors
WINE-Carmel,
Rav Rubin, NYS Kedem w/ Tzelem, Segbach, Eidah, Schwartz’s, Armon. Kedasia,
Skver, Rottenberg, Franfurter.
Lakewood area stores- Bingo Beef/poultry Dept carries only
BirdsBoro/Mesorah product. Alert: in the Bingo display cases, they have
other brands as well, including the Blu-Pak which is not recommended. The
Bingo confectionary re-packs, we are not comfortable with Hashgocha reliability
of the repackaging. Be careful also of possible infestation. Some of their meat has some hashgochas that
may be questionable. After much research, we do not rely for all year &
Pesach on the Hashgochas of Minchas Chinuch, Lakewood’s KCL, Tartikuv, Star-K,
SBD, Steinmetz, etc.
Re: Pesach Hotels- For the educated kosher consumer that is
concerned about kashrus standards and hotel atmosphere- we cannot recommend any
of the Pesach hotels. Oppenheimer’s hotel is under KAJ all year and Pesach and is
recommended.
*Sefardim- Gluten free cakes must be Bishul Yisroel
BY-Generally it is not-check with bakery if it is.
Shabbos Friendly appliances certified by Star-K are not
recommended. GE Refrigerator with OU Shabbos keeper is for Shabbos.
Alert: fruits and vegetables from Israel, Tithes and
Maaser, etc. must be taken, some may be Orlah. Not all sea-salt has a halachic
status of מבושל.
Agri, Aarons, Rubashkin’s does not even meet the
Kashrus standards of HEBREW NATIONAL. Alle/MealMart S. America and all SBD does
not meet the kashrus standards of the Israeli Rabanut. All SBD “BY” is a SKETCH!
Shatnez testing only by International Association of Shatnez testers-trained- all other Shatnez testers results not reliable.
NOTE: ALL (including all w/ Hashgochas) ORANGE JUICE REQUIRES FILTERING FROM THE SCALE INSECTS. Non commercial wines require filtering from the mite insects. Filters are available at Shain-1140 Forest Ave, Lakewood, NJ 08701 @ $10.00
Prepared by Y. Shain- kashrusy@aol.com 732-363-7979
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)