2022-9-20 KosherGram PDF
PAS YISROEL: The K-COR wishes to remind consumers of the accepted custom to be stringent on Pas Yisroel during Aseres Yemei T’shuva. Please be advised that many K-COR certified establishments produce or sell some bread and cake products that are not Pas Yisroel. Please ask the Mashgiach or call the K-COR office for details regarding specific establishments.
- The following establishments are totally Pas Yisroel: ZEMAN’S, BAKE STATION, DAKOTA BREAD COMPANY, JERUSALEM PIZZA, PIZZA STOP, SPREADS BAGELS & CAFÉ, PRIME 10, SOUL CAFÉ RESTAURANT, KAPLAN CAKES, and YODELS ‘N MORE. At THE GROVE [One Stop] FRESH BAKERY dept., all items that are sold loose, or repackaged with a Grove label, are Pas Yisroel.
- KORDAS’ breads, rolls, and buns from METROPOLITAN BAKING CO. bearing the K-COR symbol are Pas Yisroel, except for Pita Bread which is not Pas Yisroel.
- MILANO BAKERY bread and rolls that bear the K-COR symbol are Pas Yisroel*, except for Milano Bread Sticks which are not Pas Yisroel.
- SIMPLY NATURE KNOCK YOUR SPROUTS OFF SPROUTED 7 GRAIN BREAD at Aldi with an OK symbol is Pas Yisroel*.
- SPECIALLY SELECTED brand SMALL BATCH SOURDOUGH LOAF, ITALIAN BREAD and any other Specially Selected breads at Aldi bearing a Scroll K symbol are Pas Yisroel.
- TRADER JOE’S brand of CHOCOLATE BROOKLYN BABKA, CINNAMON BROOKLYN BABKA, and HALF MOON COOKIES that bear OU Pareve are Pas Yisroel. (They are no longer Yoshon.)
- TRADER JOE’S ORGANIC FRENCH ROLLS and TRADER JOE’S ORGANIC FRENCH BAGUETTE that bear MK certification [Montreal] are Pas Yisroel*.
- TRADER JOE’S CHALLAH – BRAIDED EGG BREAD that bears an Earth K symbol and states “Pas Yisroel” is Pas Yisroel.
- TRADER JOE’S SPROUTED WHEAT 7-GRAIN BREAD that bears an OK and states “Pas Yisroel” is Pas Yisroel*.
[NOTE: Trader Joe’s Sprouted Wheat Sourdough Bread and Sprouted Wheat Multigrain Bread bearing a Star-K are not Pas Yisroel.]
- GOLDBERGS FINE FOODS CHALLAH TWIN PACK TRADITIONAL that bears an OK and states “Pas Yisroel” (available at Costco) is Pas Yisroel.
- NATURAL OVENS BAKERY KETO-FRIENDLY WHITE BREAD with an OU ink jetted on the individually wrapped loaves (available at Costco) is Pas Yisroel.
- S. ROSEN’S breads, buns and rolls with an OU (available at Costco) are Pas Yisroel*.
- FOOD FOR LIFE EZEKIEL SPROUTED GRAIN BREADS with the Kof-K symbol are Pas Yisroel*. The Pocket Bread, however, is not Pas Yisroel.
- MATT’S BAKERY COOKIES with OK Pareve are Pas Yisroel*.
- LILLY’S BABKA, RUGELACH and other cakes and cookies with an OU from Lilly’s Baking Company / Brooklyn Brands are Pas Yisroel. (The labels no longer need to state Pas Yisroel. They are not Yoshon.)
* per the “glow-plug method” [an electrical heating element turned on by the Mashgiach], which most Kashrus agencies consider Pas Yisroel. (The OU, however, does not accept this as Pas Yisroel, based on the psak of Rabbi Yisroel Belsky zt’l.)
HONEY:
- Standard honey goes through a filtering process, which removes the non-Kosher bee parts. Even “raw and unfiltered” honey is usually strained, to remove the bee parts. However, some completely unprocessed honeys are neither filtered nor strained. If the label or the manufacturer states that the honey is not strained, or if bee parts are visible, that honey should be avoided.
- “Forest honey”, “Honeydew honey”, and “Beechwood honey” (or honey named after other types of trees such as Pine, Fir, Oak, etc.), generally refer to honey produced by bees that have consumed the non-Kosher excretions of aphids and scale insects left on trees (as opposed to standard honey produced from flower nectar). These are not considered Kosher according to some opinions, and should be avoided.
- “Royal Jelly” is a bee product that, unlike regular honey, is an actual secretion of the bee. Some Poskim therefore rule that it is not included in the permitted category of “honey”, and it should be avoided.
FISH HEADS:
- The frozen Rainbow Trout fish heads now being sold at Superior Kosher Meats are completely fresh water raised, and do not need to be checked for lice.
- Rainbow Trout from Norway are heavily infested, and require thorough cleaning and checking [see below].
The following is from New Square Kashrus Council:
- White fish: White fish heads are free of infestation concern.
- Salmon/Baby Salmon: Salmon heads [even farm raised] are commonly infested with salmon lice (brownish parasites ranging in size from approximately 1-3 cm).
· The entire gills must be removed. (It may be easier to first cut the head in half before cleaning).
· Rinse the head thoroughly with water while rubbing all surfaces of the head (inside and outside), including all cracks, crevices and folds, and under and around the tongue. Inspect the head to make sure it is clean.
One who wants to avoid the checking process may just rinse the head and cook the head in a separate pot, take a small piece from the flesh of the head, and visually inspect it before eating to make sure there is no foreign object on it.
- Carp: Carp heads may be infested with very small transparent insects called Argulus that are very hard to detect. There is no known method to clean infested carp heads properly, and they should not be used unless checked by an expert.
BLACK EYED PEAS are often infested and require careful checking. The following is based on the Star-K procedure for checking dried, canned or frozen black eyed peas, and applies even if the product bears Kashrus certification. (Note: All canned peas and beans always require Kashrus certification, for general Kashrus concerns.)
- Dried black eyed peas should first be boiled in water. After they have been fully cooked, turn off the flame and allow them to soak in the water for 2-3 hours. The peas will swell and the peel will become translucent. Then check as below.
- Canned or frozen black eyed peas may be checked straight out of the can/bag; there is no need to boil or soak.
- To check (all types): Take the black eyed peas and inspect for holes or dark-colored stains, as this may indicate an insect beneath the thin peel. If there is a dark spot on the peel, remove the thin skin and check if there is a cavity with a bug in it. (The black “eye” spot is not a sign of infestation. Similarly, orange colored stains on the surface are not signs of infestation; only dark or black stains are of concern.)
[Note: For those who prefer not to rely on checking, some Poskim advise that the Rosh Hashana simanim custom can be fulfilled without eating the item, by placing it on the table and looking at it.]
New GLACEAU VITAMINWATER ZERO SUGAR “LOOK” – BLUEBERRY HIBISCUS FCB Slurpee syrup is Kosher and pareve (no symbol required). The label on the syrup box in the back must be checked to verify the brand and flavor.
SOUTHERN GROVE OVEN ROASTED ALMONDS at Aldi in some regions, including Michigan and Ohio, no longer bears an OU. Always check the label.
KROGER, MEIJER and GREAT VALUE [Walmart] brands of PRETZELS that previously had a plain OK symbol, including Pretzel Sticks, Pretzel Rods and Pretzel Mini Twists, are now changing to an OK-D symbol due to dairy equipment, and should not be eaten together with meat. Packages that still bear a plain OK symbol are pareve. Several other store brands of OK certified pretzels (e.g., Clancy’s at Aldi) will also be changing status. Check each bag. (Note: These pretzels are not Pas Yisroel.)
SUPER K FORTUNE COOKIES from KARI-OUT COMPANY, White Plains, NY, are Kosher only when bearing the OU symbol on the case and also on each individually wrapped cookie. Cases not bearing the OU, and cookies not bearing the OU on their individual wrapper, were produced by a non-certified supplier. Some cases bearing an OU were found to mistakenly contain some non-certified cookies mixed in that did not bear an OU. Check each wrapper. (Note: These cookies are not Pas Yisroel.)
LUNCH BUDDIES FRUIT CUPS IN 100% FRUIT JUICE sold at Aldi, including Yellow Cling Diced Peaches, Diced Pears, and Mandarin Oranges, bear an unauthorized Star-K and are being recalled. These products contain grape juice.
OMENA ORGANICS FROZEN BROCCOLI bears an unauthorized Star-K symbol. This was found in Midwest markets, including Whole Foods.
NIBBLES & NUTS GIFT BASKETS and TRAYS (Oak Park/Farmington Hills, MI) bear a sticker on some packages stating “All products in this box or basket are Kosher”. Please be aware that these baskets and trays have no Kosher certification and are prepared without any Kashrus supervision, and therefore should not be accepted as Kosher.
PRODUCT RECALL
SIMILAC ALIMENTUM BABY FORMULA packaged in 32 fl. oz. plastic bottles with Lot No. 41740RH00 and Best By date 06/01/23, which was distributed in Ohio and Michigan, has been recalled due to a packaging defect that that could cause health risks for babies. Details are available at https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2022/09/abbott-recalls-certain-similac-formula-over-packaging-defects/ .
[Note: This formula is not Kosher approved, but is Halachically permitted in certain circumstances upon consultation with a Rav.]
We Wish All a K’siva v’Chasima Tova