2024-2-5 KosherGram PDF
BELL PEPPERS FROM ISRAEL (red, yellow and orange) are now found in U.S. stores, and require taking of Terumos and Maaseros. Consumers should carefully check the fine print on the package, or the sticker on individual peppers sold loose, for the country of origin. Often the same brand has some peppers from Israel and some from other locations, so each individual package or pepper should be checked. Details of the tithing procedure can be found (courtesy of Star-K) at https://www.star-k.org/articles/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/KCSmall_Terumos.pdf
[Note: A bracha is generally not recited, due to the possibility that the separations were already made in Eretz Yisroel.]
One should always be careful when buying produce to check the sticker, bag label or original case for the country of origin. Other examples of Israeli produce commonly found in the U.S. include tomatoes, carrots, citrus fruit (oranges, grapefruit, lemons, mandarins, clementines and pomelos), persimmons (“Sharon Fruit”), pomegranates, mangos, dates, dill and parsley.
DUNCAN HINES MIXES: The OU has confirmed that all Duncan Hines Cake Mixes and all Duncan Hines Brownie Mixes are always Yoshon.
LIEBER’S PRETZELS with the code “015X” have an erroneously printed label indicating Yoshon on some bags. These products are not actually Yoshon, as Chodosh malt was accidentally used in this particular batch.
RICOLA COUGH / THROAT DROPS: Only the following varieties are recommended by the cRc (Chicago Rabbinical Council). They do not require a certification sticker: Original (Natural) Herb, Honey Herb, and Lemon Mint – regular and Sugar Free.
TWIZZLERS GUMMIES: While most Twizzlers candies are Kosher and bear an OU, Twizzlers Gummies candy contains non-Kosher gelatin and therefore bears no OU. (However, Twizzlers Press’d Gummies, sold in Canada, do not contain gelatin and are OU certified when bearing the OU symbol.)
UTZ brand WAVY ORIGINAL POTATO CHIPS in 2.75 oz. bags inadvertently contain dairy seasoning [Kosher] in some bags with a May 06 2024 expiration date and batch number 23363030203, and have been recalled. This product was distributed in the New York Metropolitan area. Details are available at https://www.utzsnacks.com/blogs/news or 800-367-7629.
The following products contain dairy ingredients and are certified Kosher Dairy. Some labels mistakenly do not bear the D designation:
- HIDDEN VALLEY ORIGINAL RANCH – DRESSING, DIP & SAUCE MIX [OU-D]
- OLD VIENNA OF ST. LOUIS HONEY BBQ RANCH FLAVORED POTATO CHIPS 2.5 oz. bags [OU-D]
- FRESHNESS GUARANTEED [Walmart] COCONUT CREME PIE [Scroll K-D]
- BIRCH BENDERS BLUEBERRY MUFFIN MIX [OU-D]
- Many KASIA’S PRODUCTS are cRc-D certified. The “D” on the label may appear to resemble a “P”, but is actually a D. [Note that some Kasia’s products are non-Kosher.]
The following products bear unauthorized Kashrus marking on some labels:
- GREAT VALUE [Walmart] CRANBERRY 100% JUICE (“Cranberry Blend of 4 Juices” is stated at the bottom of the label in small font) – unauthorized OU symbol; contains grape juice. [Note: “Great Value Cranberry Juice Cocktail” is OU certified when bearing the OU symbol.]
- MOTT’S CLAMATO ORIGINAL and EXTRA SPICY in 213 ml cans, sold in Canada – unauthorized OK symbol. These products are not Kosher (contain clam broth).
- A SWAGMAN’S SHOP HERBAL SUPPLEMENTS (Midland, Texas) sold on eBay – unauthorized Star-K symbol. They are made with non-Kosher gelatin capsules.
- SADAF brand MAMOUL WITH DATE, BARAZEK WITH SESAME, and BAKLAVA – unauthorized Star-K symbol.
- FRUITIQUE CHEESE & GUAVA SQUAREBAR ARTISAN ICE CREAM BARS – unauthorized Star-D symbol. This product is not Kosher. Other Fruitique and Frutik products also bear an unauthorized Star-D; their Kashrus status is under review.
- TAZAH STUFFED VINE LEAVES – unauthorized OU symbol.
- ALTIN AYMAK DRIED CHERRY PLUMS – unauthorized OU symbol.
- PREMOLI DRESSINGS [updated cRc alert] – unauthorized cRc symbol on several varieties, including Greek Original, Lively Lemon, Tangy Balsamico, and Sweet Basil, which contain red wine and balsamic vinegar and most likely are not Kosher.
RECALLS
QUAKER OATS CO. has recalled the following products due to potential Salmonella contamination: Quaker Granola Bars, Quaker Cereals (including granola cereals and Oatmeal Squares), Cap’n Crunch Treats Bars, Cap’n Crunch Cereals, and Snack Mixes and Variety Packs containing these products. This recall does not include: Quaker Oats, Quaker Instant Oatmeals, Quaker Grits, Quaker Oat Bran, and Quaker Oat Flour. Details are available at https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2024/01/quacker-oats-expands-december-product-recall-over-salmonella-contamination/ or 800-492-9322. [Note: The following products, that were mentioned in the 1/30/24 Links to the Vaad Kashrus alerts regarding the Quaker recall, are not Kosher certified: Quaker Rice Snacks, Cap’n Crunch Instant Oatmeals, Gatorade Protein Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars, and Munchies Mix Munch Mix.]
NUTRAMIGEN HYPOALLERGENIC INFANT FORMULA POWDER with specific batch codes has been recalled due to a possibility of contamination with Cronobacter sakazakii. No Nutramigen liquid formulas or any other Reckitt nutrition products are affected. Details are available at www.enfamil.com or 866-534-9986. For Canada: Enfamil brand Nutramigen A+ LGG Hypoallergenic (infant formula) recalled due to possible presence of Cronobacter sakazakii – Canada.ca . [Note: This formula is not Kosher certified, but may be Halachically permitted upon consultation with a Rav.]
