common insects that you must check for

CHECK INGREDIENTS

The following ingredients are often commonly found in processed foods and may or may not be vegetarian. Check the package for an indication of the origin of questionable ingredients. When it doubt, don’t buy it!

Activated Carbon - Source: cow bones or vegetable
Albumin - Source: egg whites or animal blood
Amino Acid - Source: animal, vegetable, bacterial, fungal or synthetic
Amylase - Source: bacterial, fungal or pig

Beeswax - Source: insect
Biotin - Source: yeast, milk, egg yolk, nuts, vegetables, grain, animal

Calcium Caseinate - Source: animal milk
Calcium Stearate - Source: animal, usually cow or pig
Carmine - Source: insect
Capric Acid - Source: animal or vegetable fat
Casein - Source: animal milk
Cochineal - Source: insect
Clarifying Agent - Source: egg, animal milk, gelatin, fish or mineral
Cysteine - Source: animal and human hair
Cream of tarter- Source: wine

Diglyceride - Source: animal or vegetable
Disodium Inosinate - Source: animal, vegetable or fungal
D3- See Lanolin

Emulsifier - Source: cow, pig, egg, animal milk, vegetable

Fatty Acid - Source: cow, pig, vegetable
Folic Acid - Source: fungal, synthetic, animal or vegetable

Gelatin - Source: animal bone, cartilage, tendons and skin
Glycerides - Source: cow, pig, synthetic
Glycerols - Source: cow, pig, vegetable

Isinglass - Source: fish

Lactose - Source: animal milk
Lactic Acid - Source: animal milk, molasses, vegetables
Lanolin - Source: sheep’s wool
Lard - Source: pig
Lecithin - Source: animal, plant, egg
Lipase - Source: cow, pig, fungal

Magnesium Sterate - Source: cow, pig, mineral or vegetable
Monoclyceride - Source: animal, vegetable or synthetic
Myristic Acid - Source: animal and vegetable fat

Oleic Acid - Source: animal tallow, vegetable fat, oil

Palmitic Acid - Source: cow, pig or vegetable fat
Pancreatin - Source: cow and pig digestive enzymes
Pepsin - Source: pig stomachs
Propolis - Source: insect
Processing Agent - Source: egg, animal milk, cow, pig, vegetable, mineral, synthetic
Protease - Source: animal, vegetable, bacterial, fungal

Rennet - Source: cows’ stomachs, plants, bacteria, mold
Royal Jelly - Source: insect

Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate - Source: animal milk, vegetable, milk
Stearic Acid - Source: animal fat, vegetable
Suet - Source: cow and sheep fat
Surface-Active Agents - Source: animal, vegetable or synthetic

Tallow - Source: sheep and cow fat
Tartaric acid- Source: Wine
Tripsin - Source: cow or pig digestive enzyme
Tyrosine - Source: poultry feathers

Vitamin A - Source: vegetable, synthetic, egg yolks, fish oil
Vitamin D - Source: sheep’s wool, fish, fungal

Whey - Source: cheese and cows’ milk

Positive "system" for Vegetable checking

Why is Positive being pushed so much by me and others.
It's not because of greenhouse grown, because greenhouse grown also has insects al beit under some control better than open field grown especially re miners.
The method of checking for insects by looking in a glass bowl on a light box was a system that we have finally proven is not reliable at all. Any foodservice that is still using that system, one may not eat any item that requires bedika.

The "complete" positive system of  checking including their tollerances, etc is still the ONLY one that is to be relied upon. The OU was the first of the major certifiers that bit the bullet & is instituting their methods by proper training of their mashgichim.

Not all mashgichim are "trainable" to use the positive system. They may still be excellent mashgichim in other areas.

NOTE: The most serious item in hashgocha is proper checking of infestation, and knowing which items require checking. The is no ainoi ben yomo or other kulahs to rely on.

http://www.nutraingredients.com/Industry/Kosher-botanicals-Rabbis-insects-and-quality-control/?c=%2B6of2e5RNImtd9yrbGZ9jg%3D%3D&utm_source=newsletter_weekly&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter%2BWeekly

NOTE: Comments

When posting comments, make sure it's in compliance with the Chofetz Chaim's sefer Shmiras-Haloshon.

Why is the new Evergreen Supermarket in Monsey the place to shop?

The New Evergreen Supermarket in Monsey is more than happy to answer all of your questions, concerns etc., especially regarding their standards of kashrus item carried in their takeout, repacks, etc.

Their Meat is Solomon's, Alle (N. American), Continental, (Satmar-Toronto), 

Our Recommended poultry is only the following;
 KJ (Kiryas Joel), BirdsBoro (Mehadrin), Marvid w/ CRC, Pella.

All those requiring "Bais-Yosef" meat should be aware the Evergreen does wash down thoroughly all of their equipment before doing the Bais-Yosef. 

http://yudelstake.blogspot.com/2013/06/meal-mart-alle-and-empire-poultry-is.html

If you are in Monsey, NY?

Please notify the new Evergreen supermarket to remove the Fresh express salads even w/ sticker, as it isn't reliable to be used for a kosher consumer due to infestation.

Blueberries-infested? Rinsing commercial ones does NOT help.

Fruit infestation

Even the fresh blueberries from the NJ farm stands were checked and are infested big time.

Raisins are infested- Can't be checked by untrained, can't be cleaned- Can't be used!

scale insect video- see them moving around?

Do "U" know the most critical factor to check for in kashrus?

The most critical factor to check for in kashrus? is "Bedikas- Toloi'yim".

Does the Rav Hamachshir or their Representative know the hands-on practical knowledge of "bedikas toloi'yim"?

They must know thoroughly  at least; a) identification of the various common insects in fruits & vegetables, b) good eyesight, c) how to use a light box, d) patience, e) how to use a shmatah bedika, f) etc.

Where was the Mashgiach trained / tested etc? ?
יראת שמים

Glycerin sources, USA- 30% + Animal or other non-kosher

There is a misconception by some in the kashrus field, re: Glycerin sources in the USA.

USA product Glycerin, over 40% is from non-kosher sources. The pharmecutical glycerin is from whatever is more economical at the time.

A glycerin product manager at Cargill provided some data to support the general trends noted above. He wrote in a July 2012 email that “Total glycerin usage in the United States is about 45 million lbs. per month. Approximately 30% is non-kosher tallow-based and 70% would be vegetable-based. That includes imports of vegetable-based glycerol and all the glycerin made here in the United States.”

Mono- and diglycerides, used in most breads and baked goods as well as in a wide variety of other foods, are formed by chemically joining glycerol to fatty acids found in animal fats or vegetable oils. The mono-and diglycerides principally act as emulsifiers, preventing breads and baked goods from crumbling or going stale, and/or keeping oil and water components of a food together (e.g., in salad dressings). Based on the data given above, the percentage of vegetable oil-sourced mono- and diglycerides commercially used today in the United States is also approximately 70%. - See more at: http://www.vrg.org/blog/2012/09/24/glycerol-and-mono-and-diglyceride-updates-mostly-vegetable-derived/#sthash.kBkQ4Bzl.dpuf

Glycerin is a by-product of biodiesel production. This “waste glycerin,” (and, to a lesser extent, that produced from used cooking oil, which is increasingly being used as a biofuel today), has greatly increased the supply of glycerin in the market. Much work is currently being done on ways to produce biofuels from waste glycerol. - See more at: http://www.vrg.org/blog/2012/09/24/glycerol-and-mono-and-diglyceride-updates-mostly-vegetable-derived/#sthash.kBkQ4Bzl.dpuf

Infested Fruit

What are "scale" insects? found on

What are "scale" insects?
 Found on lettuce, blueberries, romain, etc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X235UXA0m4Y

Wild Salmon, canned, fresh, frozen, etc.

Wild Salmon, canned, fresh, frozen, etc have the anisakis worm. Regardless of which hashgocha is on it.
Most other fish have the worms by the belly flap, Salmon has them through out the entire flesh.
There is no change in the list of infested fish. All Herring, most flounder, All pollock fish (fish sticks, Surimi, sushi california roll), etc are infested. Tilapia is a clean fish.

Alert: Fruit Leather

Fruit leather is often made from cheap low grade fruit that is often infested product. That includes Apricot,

Strawberry, etc.   One certifiers' product is that cheap low grade product, Therefore stay away from their certified fruit leather.

ALERT: If they use the method "glass bowl on a light box" to check for insects, don't rely on them.

A Mashgiach, Rav Hamachshir, kosher certifier that relies on checking the water for infestation is fooling himself and the kosher consumer as well.

Checking the water just "does not" work.

http://star-k.org/cons-vegchecking.php?checking=floret

Don't eat anything in that place! Don't trust them for kashrus!

We took a few thrips, aphids, large mites, etc and put them in a glass bowl together with some common leaf particles, some dirt, etc that's common on heads or hearts. First we tried it in a well lit area then on a light box as suggested. We had 2 experienced trained experts in insect checking, and they weren't able to locate all of them even after an extended period & they were told how many there were. Some may be even on the leaf particle or under it.

The water does also distort the vission somewhat, it should be emptied onto a coffee filter paper, then checked.

Checking the water just "does not" work.

http://www.crcweb.org/videos.php what not to do!!

A few comments re: the video of checking Romaine. Some insects will be on the foam bubbles that he's blowing, and you can't see them.

Bishul Yisroel for Sfardim and the "GRA"

The chic-peas from Dependable are also Bishul Yisroel for Sfardim and the "GRA".

The Dependable brand are currently the only brand available for those individuals.

ALERT: Bay leaves have insects "scales"

ALERT: Bay leaves have insects "scales".

Including the ones certified by

ALERT: Dorat carrots sold in Shop-Rite "product of Israel"

ALERT: Dorat carrots sold in Shop-Rite "product of Israel". 

The KEURIG coffee machine & the kosher consumer

OU Kosher Addresses Kashrus of Keurig (Including Pesach)

Rabbi Eli Eleff and Rabbi Eli Gersten

THE KASHRUS OF KEURIG (INCLUDING PESACH)
By Rabbi Eli Eleff and Rabbi Eli Gersten
OU Kosher Rabbinic Coordinators

Coffee throughout the ages has played an important and often critical role in people’s lives and daily operation. Be it in the halls of the bais medrash, at work, or even waking in the morning, many individuals look toward coffee as a vital boost to their daily energy. In fact, this beverage is so important to some that the Mishna Berura (89:22) rules that one may drink unsweetened black coffee before Shacharis in the morning, so that he will be able to daven with the proper concentration. This seemingly innocuous beverage has been almost universally accepted as kosher, with little issue regarding the vessels used, as most coffee machines are dedicated only for coffee.

Hirsch on SUCCESS

 Rav Hirsch notes that one of Man's greatest enemies is success,

 for, when he achieves it, 

he easily forgets his Creator and views himself as master of his own destiny.

One must recognize that success is our enemy, and that humility is our savior.

Amen

Kashrus Alert: 1-212-990-7238

New Jersey Crosswalk rule

 New Jersey 39:4-36. a. The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection, except at crosswalks when the movement of traffic is being regulated by police officers or traffic control signals, or where otherwise prohibited by municipal, county, or State regulation, and except where a pedestrian tunnel or overhead pedestrian crossing has been provided, but no pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is impossible for the driver to yield. Nothing contained herein shall relieve a pedestrian from using due care for his safety.

To Kosher or not to Kosher?

The new owners "Shlomo Rechnitz" decided to kosher the entire operation, even though most equipment was not used hot.

Therefore, everyone should step up to the plate and kosherize their equipment.

Retirement

 RETIREMENT

As I was checking my 401 (k) account and thinking about retirement, I saw an article about nursing and retirement homes are.

'Tis the Season- California cellery have leaf miners

'Tis the Season- California celery have leaf miners. Out of 2 cases of celery there were 85 stalks with leaf miners. The Leaf miners are found in the outer darker green stalks. Their tell tale trails is a somewhat wavy translucent  trail.

Update: Blueberries were found to be infested regardless from what part of the USA or Canada they originate from. We recently checked with a company that produces Blueberry filling with a hashgocha their process. They use "wild blueberries" ( Cultivated blueberries have somewhat less infestation). They have the Mashgiach check them for infestation (and never found any blueberries that are infested). They cook it with water for a while then add the thickening agent. We were not able to justify using the Blueberry filling.

There was a large fish monger operation in the Boston area under a Hashgocha, but did not have a mashgiach on premises. The Certifier was questioned "how do certify a skinless fish operation without a mashgiach on premises"? He responded that he visits a few times a year and he has a special battery operated WAND that he passes over the tanks of fish, if there are any non kosher fish IT BEEPS!

He was asked how do you know it works? He responded "it never beeped"!!!

Why some Heimish hashgocha claims to be the best Hashgocha? "Attributes"!!

1-They claim the new company with pre-washed Romaine, Lettuce, Cabbage is Green-House grown, ........Hashgocha knows it's not true-It's market product.

2- When others ask the Mashgiach "is any of the chocolate Blommers"? He is told by certifier to lie and say NO. The mashgiach wants to know, "is you concern milchig, lechitin or other kashrus issues? Really all of them is the concern.

3- Make a PESACH production of oil, and the mashgiach forgot to go to the production. Hashgocha doesn't know which citric acid was used, Chometz, kitniyous, or pesachdik.

4- Heimish certifier  themselves don't use their own "broineh zeklach of salt & sugar for pesach". Domino sugar and Diamond crystal salt is just fine for them for pesach.

5- Heimish hashgochas are fine with OU oils from any of their plants. Heimish hashgocha is very comfortable with the OU Palm oils shipped in holding tanks, etc with no mashgiach.

6- Pretzel in Pesach potato chips?

7- Shufra Pesach adulterated cocoa powder from China, No mashgiach at production in China, No mashgiach at packing that was done at a packer that also does chometz.

Reliable source for Bais-Yosef beef

A Reliable source for Bais-Yosef beef is

SOLOMONS & Fischels. It's under the hashgocha of New Square Bais din. It's strictly North American beef.

Alle / Meal Mart has changed their Bais Yosef standards in their beef.

The  NPGS / Lakewood Co-op's beef, even though much of it is labeled as Bais Yosef,  should not be relied upon to be Bais yosef.

List of speed traps by State & Muncipality

http://www.speedtrap.org/

The insects that help the Israeli farmer for "pest free produce"

http://nocamels.com/2013/02/meet-the-insects-that-help-israeli-farmers-keep-produce-pest-free/
Meet The Pirate Bugs That Help Israeli Farmers Keep Their Produce Pest-Free


Dealing with pests is never an easy task for farmers, having to navigate between keeping their crops pest-free and not using harmful chemicals. Israeli farmers at the Arava region use another method – predatory insects that kill pests but not crops.

Kashrus Alert-Palace catering "hospital/airline meals"

Kashrus Alert-Re: Palace catering "hospital / airline meals".
when heated in non-kosher microwave according to instructions, the seals burst-therefore the meal is "Not-kosher".

We contacted the Rav, Palace catering & the OJ Organization that puts their stamp of approval. We heard back from none. as of now.

Palace Kosher -TEL. 718-761-5200 or 646-772-1000 FAX 718-370-7148

VAAD HAKASHRUS OF STATEN ISLAND

RABBI  SHLITA-718-436-4685

WE ARE PROUD TO BE OJ APPROVED- 718 782 0063

Kashrus ALERT: Bais yaakov cookbook

Kashrus alert:

Some of the items in the Bais Yaakov cookbook are not kosher. We only have a sample of some of the recipes. The recipes have numerous infested items that the consumer is unable to check for infestation. See Mishnah Berurah Hilchos pesach (Maror) the chasam sofer.

The cookbook has Raspberries, fresh cilantro, fresh parsley leaves, leek (removing just the dirt does not remove the infestation), fresh basil leaves, 8 oz bag romaine lettuce, frozen strawberries. all of these items are infested. The rest of the cookbook may have other non-kosher ingredients. Beware:

Baron Herzog

Baron Herzog wines are under the Hashgocha of  Kehila kosher. 
Many do not feel comfortable (saying it mildly) with that Hashgocha & therefore they don't use it. 

The fact that there is another Hashgocha's emblem does not give the level of comfort for those that don't use it.

ציצית-BEWARE

BEWARE- There are "tzitzes" in the market that were manufactured in the far East via non-Jews & is therefore POSUL. Insist on seeing the Hashgocha before purchasing. Do not rely on the seller/importer.

ALERT: Israeli produce

ALERT: Israeli produce sold in the USA, even with hashgocha should not be used. Some have an OU stating no chashash orlah, etc. Don't rely

Kashrus= kash-R-us

Shocking? No, not at all

The infestation by Blueberries is a well known fact since at least  the past 4 months, yet the kashrus certifiers are just sitting back (besides the Magrova Rav). Shocking? No. They say" in G-D vee trrrust".
Yes, and it's printed right on the the almighty dollar, thereby obstructing the insects.

Chasam Sofer & Mishnah-Berurah on insect checking

Chasam Sofer & Mishnah-Berurah state as some of the requirements for insect checking are;

Excellent eyesight (20/20).
Specially designated individuals = experienced & Yirei-Shomayim.
Patience.

The average consumer does not meet the required criteria.
The only processor that meets the criteria, is the Positive Company Lab.

Therefore when kashrus certifiers tell you either wash very well under a strong stream of water, or soak, sponge, rinse etc. You may not use the product, as you don't meet the criteria.

Or the certifier tells you it's hard to check and of course you don't have the patience either, cut it in half & inspect for string that look like the parts of the fruit, etc, or break the buksa in small pieces & inspect & wash each small piece, etc. They are just fooling themselves & the consumer.

All kosher certified frozen strawberries requires a blending to a puree or cooking, regardless of the misinformation a kosher certifier may tell you.

They may be right in theory, but are not correct in fact.

COSTCO & Wallmart have Israeli "Clementines"

USP FOOD FRAUD DATABASE

http://www.foodfraud.org/

Kashrus Alert: defining Currants used in bakeries

Kashrus Alert: Defining  Currants used in bakeries.
Listed in Hisachdus buletin that their bakeries do not use any raisins but use "currants".

Currants may be from a plant that produces berries that are called currants when dried.
Currants may also be from a seedless-raisin, therfore it would be not permitted as it is a raisin in disguise,

Updated: Which Heimish hashgocha has all of these "attributes"?

NOTE: There are many more "Attributes" לתועלת but מקצת שבחו בפניו וכו

1. Accepts insects as large as 1.2 mm in their checked vegetables. (so don't use any of their certified vegies)
2. Allows bakeries to use the same oven for parve and dairy without a supervised kashering.
3. Accepts oils, etc from the major global certifiers & utilizes their koshered tankers, only requires a mashgiach at the bottling of the oil. If the heimish mashgiach doesn't arrive, it's still acceptable.
4. Does a Heimish Pesach oil production & forgets to send the Mashgiach for the production. The producer utilizes non-pesach additives. They did accept the oil for the Heimish pesach productions.
5. Does not maintain a staffed office. Does not maintain production records. Does not have any traceability capabilities.
6. Their Mashgichim must wait 6 months to a year to get paid. They don't always get the correct amount, but it doesn't pay to fight after waiting so long.
7. Never answers to the consumer or to Rabonim that question their standard, system, etc.
8. Has a reputation of never removing a hashgoch for a kashrus issue (which they'll never realize), as long as the certification fees are current.
9. Use strong arm tactics to force producers to take their certification.
10. As a policy does not allow other Rabbonim or certifiers to inspect any of their facilities. (guess why)
11. Can't rely them for their Yoshon information.
12. Does not return calls to consumers or Rabbonim.

13. The popular Hashgocha based in Yerushulayim, shamefully uses this heimish hashgucah's unreliable Mashgichim.

                                                                    I GIVE UP!