2019-1-30 Kashrus Alerts PDF available for download.
MANDARINS FROM ISRAEL are now being sold at local stores (including AMC/Mehadrin brand 5 lb. bags at Costco, and Jaffa brand 5 lb. boxes at Plum Market), and state on the label “Produce of Israel”. They require taking of Terumos and Maaseros (without a bracha).
OREO SANDWICH COOKIES: The OU has again updated its information, as of January 8, regarding the dairy status of OU-D Oreo cookies. Three more items have been added to the dairy equipment list. For the convenience of our readers, the entire list is quoted here:
“At the present time the following Oreo Sandwich Cookies do not contain dairy ingredients, though they are manufactured on dairy equipment:
• Original Oreo Sandwich Cookies
• Oreo Double Stuf Sandwich Cookies
• Oreo Original Mega Stuf Sandwich Cookies
• Mini Original Oreo Sandwich Cookies
• Chocolate Oreo Sandwich Cookies
• Golden Oreo Sandwich Cookies
• Golden Oreo Double Stuf Sandwich Cookies
• Golden Oreo Mega Stuf Sandwich Cookies
• Triple Double Oreo Sandwich Cookies
• Oreo Thins Sandwich Cookies**
• Oreo Cinnamon Bun Sandwich Cookies
• Oreo Lemon Sandwich Cookies
• Oreo Mint Creme Sandwich Cookies
• Oreo Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies
• Oreo Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies
• Winter Oreo Sandwich Cookies
[** Note: We have confirmed with the OU that “Oreo Thins Sandwich Cookies” in the above list also includes the following varieties:
• Oreo Thins Chocolate Creme Chocolate Sandwich Cookies
• Oreo Thins Golden Sandwich Cookies
• Oreo Thins Lemon Creme Sandwich Cookies
• Oreo Thins Mint Creme Chocolate Sandwich Cookies
• Oreo Thins Bites Chocolate Sandwich Cookies (only regular; not “Fudge Dipped”)
We have also confirmed that Oreo Limited Edition “The Most Stuf” Chocolate Sandwich Cookies are dairy equipment.]
The equipment is not necessarily cleaned before the production of these cookies, and there may be a small amount of dairy residue present. Nonetheless, the dairy component would be minimal, and from a Halachic perspective, the dairy residue is nullified (botel bishishim) and of no consequence. The bottom line of all this is that these cookies may be consumed after meat and poultry, but not simultaneously.
Please bear in mind that the manufacturer may choose in the future to reformulate these products and add dairy ingredients. Since these products already bear OUD symbols, formulation changes would not be reflected in the OUD logo. As such, we recommend that consumers check regularly with our office to confirm the status of these items.”
New OREO CHOCOLATE CANDY BARS in several varieties are manufactured in Europe, and are not certified Kosher and do not bear an OU symbol.
AGED CHEESE: The following items at JERUSALEM PIZZA contain aged cheese, which requires a six hour waiting period before eating meat: Bread Sticks (“Jerusalem Bread”), Cheese Sticks, Italian Bread, Eggplant Parmesan, “Chicken” Parmesan, Caesar Salad, and Caesar Wrap.
ASSURED brand VITAMIN C SUPPLEMENT DROPS sold at Dollar Tree stores, which currently bears a plain OU, is Kosher but is produced on dairy equipment. Future productions may not bear any OU symbol; check each label.
DAVE’S SWEET TOOTH TOFFEE in all flavors contains dairy ingredients, as listed in the ingredient statement, but mistakenly does not state Dairy on older packaging. Newer packaging bears the K-COR Dairy symbol.
CLANCY’S WAVY POTATO CHIPS (unseasoned) in 10 oz. bags (UPC# 0 41498 16306 8) with a Best If Used By date code of FEB 22 19 1A6, sold at Aldi, bears a plain OU but may mistakenly contain dairy Sour Cream & Onion seasoning. This product has been recalled, and may be returned to Aldi for a full refund. Details are available at https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm629293.htm
CAMPBELL’S SLOW COOKER BUFFALO CHICKEN SAUCE that bears a plain OU is Kosher, but contains dairy ingredients, as listed in the ingredient statement. . [The OU alert regarding “Slow Cooker Buffalo Wing Sauce” actually refers to this product.] Please be aware that previous versions of this product did not bear an OU, including some that list chicken stock and chicken fat in the ingredients, and they have been found still on store shelves. In addition, future productions may not bear any OU symbol. Every package should be checked.
TRADER JOE’S PITA CHIPS with the Wisconsin Kosher symbol was mistakenly labeled “Pas Yisroel.” This product is Kosher but is not Pas Yisroel.
SHOPRITE TRADING COMPANY brand WHITE SPARKLING GRAPE JUICE and RED SPARKLING GRAPE JUICE mistakenly bear the OU symbol. These products are not certified and are being withdrawn from the market.
NOOSA YOGHURT is no longer OU certified due to a recent ingredient change. Containers still bearing the OU-D symbol were produced before this change. Containers bearing a KD are not recommended. Stores currently have a mixture of OU-D and KD containers; please check each container carefully.
PRODUCT RECALL
GOLD MEDAL UNBLEACHED ALL PURPOSE FLOUR in 5 lb. bags (UPC# 0-16000-19610-0) with a Better If Used By date of 20APR2020KC has been recalled due to potential presence of Salmonella contamination. Consumers who have had to discard products covered by this recall may contact General Mills Consumer Relations at 1-800-230-8103 or visit www.generalmills.com/flour for a replacement coupon. This recall affects only this one date code of Gold Medal Unbleached Flour 5 lb. bags. All other types of Gold Medal Flour are not affected by this recall.
The FDA and CDC remind consumers that flour is not a “ready to eat” ingredient. Flour is made from wheat that is grown outdoors where bacteria are often present, and flour is typically not treated to kill bacteria during the normal milling process. Anything made with flour must be cooked or baked before eating. Salmonella is killed by heat through baking, frying, sautéing or boiling products made with flour. All surfaces, hands and utensils should be properly cleaned after contact with flour or dough.