2023-6-30 KosherGram PDF

BELL PEPPERS and MINI PEPPERS of all colors, domestic and imported, have recently been found to have a high level of infestation on their exterior surface, especially around the stem. Kashrus agencies are recommending the following procedure:

  1.  Remove and discard the stem/crown section.
  2. Turn the pepper upside down and wash the entire surface, including the crevices and the bottom depression, under a strong stream of water while rubbing with one’s fingers.
  3.  If the crevices and/or the bottom depression are not entirely reachable, first cut the pepper at its length into four and then wash as described above. Alternatively, use a small brush while washing.
  4. Peppers should not be cooked, roasted, or eaten whole with the stem/crown section still attached.

THE FOLLOWING NEW SODAS are Kosher and pareve (no symbol required): 

  • MOUNTAIN DEW BAJA PASSIONFRUIT PUNCH
  • MOUNTAIN DEW BAJA CARIBBEAN SPLASH

THE FOLLOWING NEW LIMITED EDITION SODAS are Kosher and pareve and bear an OU on the bottle cap or engraved into the can lid:

  • COCA-COLA ULTIMATE – regular and Zero Sugar
  • SPRITE LYMONADE LEGACY with Strawberry Lemonade flavor [also bears an OU on the label] 

COCA-COLA, SPRITE and FANTA SODAS in 12 oz. glass bottles that say Product of Mexico are not certified and are not recommended.

Many TRADER JOE’S ORGANIC LOLLIPOPS that are offered locally to children at the checkout counters do not bear Kosher marking. Only those bearing the Kof-K symbol should be accepted as Kosher.

FRIENDLY FARMS ALMOND MILK, COCONUT MILK and OAT MILK sold at Aldi bear a plain OU on some containers and are pareve (mfd. at Plant # JP). Other containers bear OU-D and are dairy equipment (Plant # 18-388). Check each container carefully.                      

McCORMICK BUTTER EXTRACT With Other Natural Flavors is certified OU Dairy, but mistakenly bears only a plain OU without a D on some packages.

JALAPENO SEASONED PISTACHIOS from Vacaville Fruit Company mistakenly bears a Star-K symbol on the label and on the company website. This product contains small traces of dairy and should bear a Star-D (non-Cholov Yisroel).

TIDBITS MERINGUES COOKIES [Fun Bites] bear an unauthorized HKA symbol on some packages. In addition, any packages that bear an OU symbol are also unauthorized.

RECALLS 

The following PRIVATE SELECTION” FROZEN FRUIT PRODUCTS sold at Kroger and Kroger operated stores with specific date codes have been recalled due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. Details are at https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/townsend-farms-inc-voluntarily-recalling-specific-frozen-fruit-products-because-possible-listeria  or 503-512-1317.  

  • CLASSIC FRUIT MEDLEY  UPC: 1111082026
  • TROPICAL MANGO CHUNKS  UPC: 1111084663
  • BLUEBERRIES STRAWBERRIES & MANGOES  UPC: 1111089623
  • STRAWBERRY MANGO & PINEAPPLE BLEND  UPC: 1111087853

FROZEN STRAWBERRIES – Potential Hepatitis A Virus contamination. Various brands, including in Michigan:  Great Value [Walmart] (including Sliced Strawberries and Mixed Fruit), Simply Nature [Aldi], and Made-With [Meijer Woodward Corner Market]https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-hepatitis-virus-infections-frozen-strawberries-february-2023