What are the qualifications of a mashgiach for infestation?

I have been checking for infestation for 12 years, I rarely find anything. When I do find it's an aphid, some thrips no mites & no miners. Going through the motions, doesn't qualify. If one knows a little more than others doesn't either qualify. There must be zero tollerance- NO INSECTS at all after checking.

I had many others check my product after I checked & they NEVER found anything after my checking. if the others were qualified checkers, then it shows that the mashgiach is qualified.

Anyone that checks by soaking, etc the vegies or fruit  then checking the water is not qualified [test were made & they missed many of the insects].

Kashrus Alert:

Reb Yudel, shop rite in Lakewood has a sale on McCain frozen french fries and potatoes. The bags are all together in a chest freezer near the kosher experience.

Not all of the bags have an OU. People were buying different varieties only to realize and some have not that many bags do not have a OU.
The smiles shaped potatoes do not have a OU.

RE: GRAPES- COR Alert

Please be advised that we have discovered some infestation on table grapes from Peru and Chile.

We have found a particular species of mites that are very small (about half of a millimeter) and hard to detect. While both factual and halachic research is ongoing we advise that grapes from Peru and Chile be washed carefully and thoroughly by using a strong stream of water.

Large clusters should be divided into smaller clusters so that the water can reach all surfaces of the grape.

Do you have a Tzedokah "ISHUR"?

Tomchei Tzedakah just received a call from someone in Lakewood: $7300 was withdrawn from his account - this past Motzoei Shabbos he had written a much smaller check to someone that had come to his door and the check had been altered and cashed. We then received another call with almost the exact same story - this time for $8700.

At this point we have very little additional information and are investigating. Please check your bank accounts and take whatever precautions you can.

 

Please feel free to email us at TomcheiTzedakah@gmail.com or call us at 732-367-7770 or at 848-210-5188 if you have any information that may be useful or if you have also been victimized.

A Mashgiach's nightmare in Long island

A Mashgiach's nightmare in Long island. A private hashgocha was hired to oversee a wedding in a Long Island Synagogue that was under a Hashgocha from Brooklyn. The mashgiach sent in a list of requirements to the non-Jewish owned caterer a month prior to the affair. The mashgiach was somewhat surprised not to receive a call re: some of the requirements.

BMG Freezer is being opened today and being dismantled

BMG Freezer is being opened today and being dismantled as BMG is being in the fore front of solving the shiduch crisis.

Alert: Daily halacha email re: tu-bi'shvat should not be relied upon!

1 big fish was caught-the rest are still out there

Seafood Company Fined $1M Tue, 02/07/2012 - 12:53pm

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Federal prosecutors say a Torrance, Calif.-based seafood corporation has been ordered to pay $1 million in fines and community service donations for falsely labeling frozen catfish fillets as grouper.

Only properly trained individuals are qualified to check for infestation-don't try it.

Mishnah Berurah in Hilchos Morer brings the Shu"t Chasam Sofer (130+-) that one must have "anushim-mi'yu'chudim-mi'su'yomim" with very good eyesight to inspect the lettuce, otherwise one may not use lettuce for morer.

Rav Shmuel Wosner, shlita says the chasam sofer is referring to special individuals that are experienced & it's known that they can find all of the camouflaged insects. 

Who's Platters are good? Nuts Galore! (Papaya is a "Ho'adamah")

Papaya is a "Ho'adamah", those that make a Ho'eitz are eating "ORLAH" r"l.

Beware: Flower arangements insects may fall on table food

Perhaps the Cellophane may be used to prevent the insects from getting into the food. Some may be crawling,

Is "Pride of the Farm" the premier cholov Yisroel? Why?

Unacceptable methods to check fruit, e.g. figs, raisins

"If you don't have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?"

Olive oil adulteration?

http://www.oliveoiltimes.com/olive-oil-business/europe/europe-olive-oil-quality-testing/24520

Cinamon Sticks may be infested & must be checked

Jolly rancher Stix - Kosher Status: Not kosher.

HERSHEY'S -JOLLY RANCHER Stix
www.hersheys.com/jolly-rancher/products/stix.aspx

JOLLY RANCHER STIX Candy offers a blast of apple flavor in long-lasting stick form. View Nutrition Info ... Enjoy the classic fruity flavor of cherry JOLLY RANCHER Candy in a long-lasting stick form. ... Kosher Status: Not kosher.

Some Ka$hru$ mi$nomer$

If one would glance at the full-page glossy ads in the ubiquitous Jewish magazine, it would seem that produce growers are falling over themselves to provide every possible green with the best of hechsherim, all while stating the various methods used to ascertain that one should not stumble and transgress these Biblical prohibitions.
 “Greenhouse Grown”, [are not insect free!]
 “Triple Washed”, [does not rid enough, to permit]
 “Insect Free”, [to those that are not trained]
 “Requires No Checking” [not to be used after checking ]
scream out from the ads.

The Mishna Berura brings the Chasam sofer, that only trained individual with very good eyesight may checks infestation otherwise "don't use".

Industry body says olive oil imports are ‘not really’ olive oil

By Ankush Chibber, 02-Feb-2012- A new study sponsored by the Australian Olive Association (AOA) has said that imported olive oils being marketed in the country as extra virgin olive oil are anything but olive oil.

How the Olive Oil industry duped us for so long?

http://www.businessinsider.com/an-expert-explains-how-the-olive-oil-industry-has-been-duping-us-for-so-long-2012-1#until-2010-the-us-had-no-strict-guidelines-defining-different-grades-of-olive-oil-1

‘Cause for concern’ meat plants will be named and shamed - FSA

‘Cause for concern’ meat plants will be named and shamed - FSA
By Mark Astley, 24-Jan-2012- Will Kosher certifiers follow suit?

UK meat plants considered a ‘cause for concern’ based on audit reports will be named and shamed as part of a new Food Standards Agency (FSA) scheme, it has revealed.

All "GRAPES" infested-must wash each one

"CAVIAR-Sushi, Fish Sticks, Imitation Crab, surimi all use minced Pollock fish which is infested.

NOTE: The following information is correct. There are others attempting
to confuse the facts with their theories.

Sushi, Fish Sticks, Imitation Crab, surimi, all use minced (not ground)Pollock fish which is infested. Caviar (fish eggs) used at Sushi stations also infested. Yellow tail is a type of flounder, also infested.

Lox is from farmed salmon. Lox from wild salmon even if sliced thin is infested.

Klal Yisroel's dilema without a solution.BMG's Freezer

OK-We'll close the freezer, under 22 year olds will be the accepted age-They can go out on dates immediately, etc
Pell grants will roll in.
Shiduchim crisis will be alleviated iy"h.
Who will come to the shi'urim?
If these 22 year olds don't come to shiur, and Noviminsk, Brisk, etc will almost not be an option, they'll mamash bleib r"l no big talmidei chachomim "uhn a shiur"?

Rav Shach Z"L letter addressed the solution.

Olive oil adulteration-again

Adulterated and even fake olive oil is widespread, according to studies. Just how big is the problem, and how can you avoid being caught out?

Last month, the Olive Oil Times reported that two Spanish businessmen had been sentenced to two years in prison in Cordoba for selling hundreds of thousands of litres of supposedly extra virgin olive oil that was, in fact, a mixture of 70-80% sunflower oil and 20-30% olive.

Groceries Pull Lettuce After Salmonella Scare

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Heads of iceberg lettuce are being removed from grocery store shelves in at least seven states after salmonella was found in an Arizona field adjacent to the grower's property.

The Cholov Stam / akum heter from Rav Moshe Feinstein Z"L not valid anymore?

The USDA, FDA, etc does NOT test for non-cow milk presence, hence the heter is not valid anymore.

This does not affect the fact that the Veterinarian procedures make the cows "TREIF". There is no shishim on the farms.
The USDA doen't either test for other milk.
The fines are minimal.

RE: Haolam shredded Cheese recall

RE: Haolam shredded Cheese recall; After clarifying the facts re: the process & kashering required for all of the shredding equipment, we are completely satisfied that there wasn't any kashrus issue at all-it was strictly a business & FDA precaution issue that initiated the recall.

There was no sakanah either, as the lab tests were all negative.

From an Email:

Rav Shain, I'm wondering if you or anyone else knows how to deal with a very serious kashrus situation. my company is kosher certified by a so called heimish hashgocha organization. They are known as the "mifia'nerim". They are strong-arming themselves into every possible hashgocha that they take away from other erlicher heimish Rabonim. Their own standards are based on "tzuhl oifen tzeit" nothing else. I'm sure the Rabonim are afraid "pachad-muvess" from the administrator, but why do the companies like me and the tzibur have to suffer from a mafia fake kashrus? 

Vaad's newsletters for the past 5 years

BMG's  VAAD did nothing at all for the tzibur, so there are none.

They only used the Tzibur voting block for their own selfish interests.

Does the falseclaims act apply to Lakewood?

The False Claims Act-Whistleblower, Qui Tam

On behalf of its clients, Whistleblower, Qui Tam & False Claims Act Group utilizes the federal False Claims Act to seek legal redress against companies who have defrauded the federal or state government through any number of fraudulent schemes.

Successful whistleblower actions under the False Claims Act generally entitle the whistleblower to a reward ranging between 15% and 30% of the Government's overall recovery.

http://www.falseclaimsact.com/sfca_New_Jersey.php

According to the rema in shulchan oruch, Cedarbridge Corp owners are considered "moisirim". R"L

Public Notice

Bottecilli extra virgin Olive oil inferior product?

Bottecilli extra virgin Olive oil inferior product?

When one called the Company to complain that there are pieces & impurities, the 68 oz Bottecelli company said we know the problem. The Bottecelli company sent a small 16 oz bottle instead of replacing the same 68 oz size.

With all of the publicity of extra virgin olive oil adulteration, it seems pennies saved in making good on an inferior product may cast a question mark on the purity of certain olive oils.

Shabbos mode appliances are not shabbos friendly "Ossur"

Kosher slaughter ban fails to win majority in Dutch Senate as government proposes compromise

Kosher slaughter ban fails to win majority in Dutch Senate as government proposes compromise

An update Re: more whiskeys coming under kosher certification

Published on The Jewish Week (http://www.thejewishweek.com)Tuesday, December 13, 2011 Gamliel Kronemer Koval’s Chicago Whiskey is best served chilled or over ice. As the weather grows brisk, a sampling of micro-distillery whiskey. Special To The Jewish Week

Whiskey — wherever it is made, and in whatever style — is a great beverage for the winter. Just a few sips can warm the gullet, and take a bit of the chill off the coldest of winter nights.
All whiskeys were once almost universally considered kosher. But in the last few decades the kashrut of whiskey has come up for debate.

ROMAINE LETTUCE blamed for E.Coli

http://www.foodmanufacturing.com/scripts/ShowPR.asp?RID=23976&et_cid=2368241&et_rid=41384912&linkid=http%3a%2f%2fwww.foodmanufacturing.com%2fscripts%2fShowPR.asp%3fRID%3d23976

Party-Planners, can a hashgocha control them? We doubt it.

Kashrus Scandal:

Party planners are never under any Hashgocha

Party-Planners- Can a hashgocha control them? We doubt it.
 

They bring anything & everything from literally anyplace.
 
Rented equipment:
Pop corn machines- others may use butter & then used for fleishig party.
Chocolate machine- was used with dairy chocolate then used for fleishig affair.
Hot-dog machine- used for any brand hot dogs previously.
 
Candies, cakes, etc from anyplace.
Dishes, utensils from anyplace.
 
Reb Dovid Feinstein, Shlita said "A party planner on a shabbos event without chilul shabbos?, I don't think it can happen".
 
All Party-Planners must be under a strong Hashgocha, or don't use them.

Israeli brands olive oil fraud

http://couponingintheholyland.wordpress.com/2011/12/04/the-olive-oil-that-wasnt/

A frum mother of 4 children, read the article & respond in kind.

http://moriyasplace.blogspot.com/2011/06/in-defense-of-wendy-runge.html

Consumer Reports Raises Questions About Some Fish Oil Brands

Consumer Reports Raises Questions About Some Fish Oil Brands

[most soft gel caps are not kosher]

December 7, 2011 - YONKERS, N.Y. (PRNewswire-USNewswire) — In lab tests of 15 top-selling brands of fish oil supplements, Consumer Reports found that five fell a bit short on quality. Fish oil supplements have become wildly popular, with consumers taking them to treat a long list of ailments including menstrual cramps, heart disease, asthma, bipolar disorder, high blood pressure, depression, psoriasis, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and pregnancy complications.

The Sublime and Scandalous World of Olive Oil

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/08/books/extra-virginity-by-tom-mueller-a-word-on-olive-oil-review.html?_r=1&pagewanted=print

http://blog.sfgate.com/inberkeley/2011/12/08/you-may-not-like-whats-lurking-in-your-olive-oil/

 

December 7, 2011-Olive Oil’s Growers, Chemists, Cooks and CrooksBy DWIGHT GARNER

EXTRA VIRGINITY -The Sublime and Scandalous World of Olive Oil

By Tom Mueller - Illustrated. 238 pages. W. W. Norton & Company. $25.95.

A few pages into Tom Mueller’s new book, “Extra Virginity,” there’s a funny moment when an olive oil expert holds up a bottle that’s covered with dubious claims: “100 percent Italian,” “cold-pressed,” “extra virgin.”

Time To Face The Issue: Yeshiva Bochur Arrested For DWI

http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/General+News/111330/Time-To-Face-The-Issue%3A-Yeshiva-Bochur-Arrested-For-DWI.html

All Schnapps should be banned at all weddings-The Misader Kidushin should insist on that standard, besides the fact that most of the Schnapps served does not have a hashgocha & may not be used.

Honey- What does honey consist of & are you getting all of it? NO!

http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2011/11/tests-show-most-store-honey-isnt-honey/

Tilapia fillets skinless-Don't rely on the Hashgochas- Buy only with skin-tab

Tilapia fillets skinless-Don't rely on the Hashgochas-

Buy only with skin-tab "NO HASHGOCHA" at the

Washington Sea Food 52 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11205-1202
Phone:(718) 875-2736

Another reason, one should insist on a "skin-tab" for frozen filet fish

UPDATE- We gave a hashgocha at a bar mitzvah this past week, we insisted on Tilapia with a skin-tab & NO Heimish HASHGOCHA on the box.

We wrote to Dagim, received No response nor acknowledgement.

TILAPIA fish-Frozen, skinless filet, with 2 prominent kosher certifiers
 International & Heimish Hashgochas.

Production date: "19 04 2011" (first day pesach?, ys)

Some of the production was done in June 2011, the prices are cheaper for April product. The importer is interested in $$$ bottom line. The Chinese took them knowingly for a ride.

The Mashgiach didn't "chap" the game, One supervised box for every 3-4 boxes from April that were unsupervised.

Old fashioned kitchen Latkes (pancakes)

Lakewood's Old fashioned kitchen Company's Latkes (pancakes) are yoshon & bishul Yisroel.

What's in your olive oil?

What's in Your Olive Oil? By Amy Zavatto -Published December 05, 2011 -FoxNews.com

Pretty bottles of olive oil make great holiday gifts, but what most of us who delight in drizzles of the golden liquid don’t realize is what’s in your bottle might not be what you expect—or want. And we’re not talkin’ fat.

China ISO food safety certifications double in last 12 months

http://www.foodproductiondaily.com/Quality-Safety/China-ISO-food-safety-certifications-double-in-12-months?utm_source=copyright&utm_medium=OnSite&utm_campaign=copyright

What is ISO?
http://www.iso.org/iso/about.htm
In general ISO certification in China is accomplished more through payment rather than performance,

May one Dunkin Donut"?

May one Dunkin Donut"? NO!
Not even with the hashgocha?
But something is Cholov Yisroel?
Who is their fulltime shomer shabbos mashgiach?
The other items are cholov yishmael which is really Cholov-Treif, Per Rav Eliyashev, Rav Wosner Shlita.