2021-8-25 KosherGram PDF

PAS YISROEL: The K-COR wishes to remind the Kosher consumer 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, PIZZA STOP, SPREADS BAGELS & CAFÉ, PRIME 10, SOUL CAFÉ RESTAURANT (not catering), KAPLAN CAKES, YODELS ‘N MORE, and SLICE OF HEAVEN.  At THE GROVE [One Stop] FRESH BAKERY dept., all items that are sold loose, or repackaged with a Grove label, are Pas Yisroel. At JERUSALEM PIZZA, the pizza and bagels 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*.

• FOOD FOR LIFE EZEKIEL SPROUTED GRAIN BREADS with the Kof-K symbol are Pas Yisroel*. The Pocket Bread, however, is not Pas Yisroel.

• NATURAL OVENS BAKERY – The following Natural Ovens breads with an OU are Pas Yisroel: Whole Grain Right Wheat, Whole Grain Multi-Grain, 100% Whole Grain, Better White, Oatmeal, Keto-Friendly White Bread. [NOTE: Natural Ovens Organic 100% Whole Grain Wheat Bread with CK (Cincinnati Kosher) certification, sold at Costco, is not Pas Yisroel.] 

• S. ROSEN’S breads, buns and rolls with an OU 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 SOFT BAKED PEANUT BUTTER CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES bears OK Pareve and states Pas Yisroel* on the label.  (It is also Yoshon.) 

• 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 or should be strained by the consumer.

• “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 (small 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 put in a pot with an ample amount of water (about 3 times the volume of the peas), bring them to a boil, then turn off the flame and allow the peas to soak in the water for 2-3 hours.  The peas will swell and the peelwill 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.]

 

                         We Wish All a K’siva v’Chasima Tova

 

2021-7-1 KosherGram PDF

RITA’S ITALIAN ICE & FROZEN CUSTARD OF FARMINGTON HILLS at 11 Mile & Middlebelt is now under supervision of the Vaad Harabbonim / Council of Orthodox Rabbis of Greater Detroit, as Dairy non-Cholov Yisroel. Many flavors of the Italian Ices contain only pareve ingredients, but may contain traces of dairy; a list is posted at the store. Cream Ices are Dairy.

ICE CREAM and FROZEN YOGURT STORES often claim that they are Kosher and may post Kosher certification letters, which leads consumers to believe that the store and its products are under supervision. In fact, in most cases, the letters refer only to specific products or ingredients which are factory produced under supervision, and are certified only when in their original sealed packaging bearing Kosher marking. Once the unsupervised store opens the packaging, the certification is no longer valid. Unless the consumer verifies that there is actual on-site reliable Rabbinical supervision of the entire individual retail store, no ice cream, yogurt, syrups or toppings should be considered Kosher except for those in their original sealed containers bearing a reliable Kosher certification.
The following are some stores in our area that are not under supervision: Clark’s Ice Cream and Yogurt, Haagen-Dazs, Menchie’s, Oberweis, and TCBY.
It is always preferable to buy at fully supervised stores. Locally, soft serve Cholov Yisroel ice cream is available at Jerusalem Pizza. Hard pack Cholov Yisroel ice cream is available at Spreads Bagels & Café. Hard pack non-Cholov Yisroel ice cream and yogurt is available at Baskin-Robbins/Dunkin’ Donuts at 10 Mile & Greenfield in Oak Park (which is K-COR certified for all products). Packaged Cholov Yisroel ice cream is available at The Grove Kosher Market.
If it is necessary to purchase hard pack ice cream or yogurt from an unsupervised store, the consumer should request and see a sealed container before it is opened, and check for the Kosher certification mark on the container. In addition, the scoop should be thoroughly washed.
Soft serve ice cream or yogurt should not be purchased from an unsupervised store, because of the inability to verify that Kosher mix was put into the machine.
New SUNKIST BERRY LEMONADE SODA is Kosher, and does not require a Kashrus symbol.

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.

KRONOS makes Pas Yisroel PITA BREAD and FLAT BREAD with “cRc Pas Yisroel” marking. The cRc has learned that for several weeks beginning in mid-March, some varieties of these products did not meet Pas Yisroel standards. The issue has been corrected, and fresh products being sold at this time are Pas Yisroel when bearing the cRc Pas Yisroel marking. If you have older products in your freezer, you can determine if they were from those problematic batches by checking the date codes. See details on the cRc website at https://www.crcweb.org/alerts.php (or call the Vaad Harabbonim Kashrus Information Line 248-559-5005 #103).

THE CHODOSH SEASON is approaching. Those who want to purchase Yoshon items to store over the Chodosh season should prepare to do so. Please note that all grain and flour products that will be stored should be refrigerated to avoid insect infestation.

NORI SHEETS FROM CHINA – REVISED KOF-K ALERT: Recently, possibly due to the current shortage, several brands of Nori sheets have been circulating with unauthorized Kof-K symbols. The Kof-K does not certify any Nori produced in China. The following brands are the only Nori sheets that Kof-K currently certifies:
• D’allesandro brand from Woodland Foods • Yamamotoyama

HEALTH GARDEN COCONUT SUGAR: New Square Kashrus Council has announced that the last shipment of this product was been found to be infested, and that consumers should refrain from using this product until further notice.

THE FOLLOWING PRODUCTS CONTAIN DAIRY INGREDIENTS AND ARE CERTIFIED DAIRY, BUT MISTAKENLY DO NOT BEAR A “D” NEXT TO THEIR RESPECTIVE KASHRUS SYMBOLS:
• WELLSLEY FARMS MINI CRISPY CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES sold at BJ’s [OU]
• BAZZINI DARK CHOCOLATE PECANS [OU]
• SOFT BAKED CLASSIC COOKIE DOUBLE CHOCOLATE CHIP (3 oz.) from Mannon Specialty Foods [cRc]

ELECARE and ELECARE JR. AMINO ACID-BASED POWDER INFANT FORMULA / NUTRITION POWDER hypoallergenic formulas do not bear a Kashrus symbol, but are in fact certified OU DE (made with pareve ingredients, on dairy equipment).

JULIAN’S RECIPE BRUSSELS STYLE PALEO BELGIAN WAFELS, in ORIGINAL and MATCHA flavors, mistakenly bear a plain OK symbol. These products were made with pareve ingredients on dairy equipment.

SSIPS PASSION FRUIT DRINK will no longer be OU certified due to a change in ingredients, and will not bear the OU symbol. Containers still bearing the OU were made before this change. Check each container carefully.

BOTTICELLI BALSAMIC VINEGAR bears an unauthorized OU. This product is not OU certified.

RONZA LOLLIPOPS bears a forged certification of the Edah HaChareidis of Yerushalayim.

THE NUTMEG SPICE COMPANY – REVISED OU ALERT: The following products produced by The Nutmeg Spice Co. bear an unauthorized OU: Carne Assada Seasoning, Burgundy Wine Marinade, French Onion Dip Mix, and Saffron Rice Seasoning.
These products are labeled under several brand names, including brands of some Kosher food stores and distributors. Every label with the unauthorized OU symbol also states (usually on the back) that the product is from The Nutmeg Spice Company.

CUSTOM SEASONINGS of Gloucester, MA is no longer KVH certified, due to Kashrus violations. All products, even when bearing the KVH symbol, are unauthorized, and the company’s KVH Kashrus certificates are no longer valid.

2021-6-2 KosherGram PDF

IMPORTANT: ACE BAKERY / WESTON FOODS FROZEN PAR-BAKED GOODS are produced as Kosher with KSA certification, and bear the KSA symbol on their original bulk boxes. These bulk items are then distributed to in-store bakeries, which bake them and insert the breads into white bags, which are supplied along with the par-baked items. Inadvertently, some of these bags were imprinted with the KSA symbol. Please be aware that only Ace Bakery / Weston Foods baked goods in their original factory sealed bulk boxes bearing the KSA symbol are KSA certified. Once the products are baked in a non-certified in-store bakery, they cannot be considered Kosher, despite the mistaken KSA symbol on the bags. → THESE MISLABELED BREADS ARE NOW BEING SOLD LOCALLY AT MEIJER, AND AT OTHER LOCATIONS IN MICHIGAN AND ILLINOIS.

AHA SPARKLING WATER in all varieties is OU certified, and bears the OU symbol on the can.

BUBLY brand SPARKLING WATER in all flavors is Kosher and does not require Kosher marking.

New PEPSI BLUE is Kosher, and does not require a Kashrus symbol.

SKINNY POP KETTLE CORN POPCORN’s new variety pack contains the varieties Sweet Vanilla, Sweet & Salty, and Cinnamon & Sugar Kettle Corn, and bears the cRc and OU symbols on the outer box. On some of the inner bags the Kosher symbol was omitted, but they are nevertheless certified Kosher and pareve.

PLANET OAT OATMILK in 52 oz. refrigerated containers bears an OU-D on all varieties, but in fact their actual status is DE [dairy equipment], and they may be eaten after, but not with, meat.

BAKE SHOP BAKERY 7 LAYER DESSERT BAR, sold at Aldi stores in the U.S., was mistakenly labeled with a plain COR [Canada] symbol. This product contains dairy ingredients and is certified dairy.

TUSCAN GARDEN ALL PURPOSE RANCH SEASONING sold at Aldi mistakenly bears a plain OU without a D on some containers. This product contains dairy ingredients and is certified dairy.

BOWL & BASKET NON-STICK COOKING SPRAY GHEE mistakenly bears a plain OU without a D on some cans. This product contains dairy ingredients and is certified dairy. [“Ghee” = clarified butter.]

GLORY FOODS CANDIED YAMS – SEASONED SOUTHERN STYLE mistakenly bears a Star-K symbol. This product contains dairy ingredients and should have been labeled Star-D. It is certified Kosher dairy, non-Cholov Yisroel.

SUNGLO POPCORN SEASONINGS in the following varieties – Buttery, Jalapeno, Nacho Cheese, Ranch and White Cheddar – were mistakenly labeled with a plain OVK symbol. These products contain milk powder and are certified dairy.

LIEBER’S MINI, TINY DILL GHERKINS UPDATE: Rabbi M. Weissmandl issued an updated notice on 5/10/21 regarding both Lieber’s Mini Dill Gherkins and Lieber’s Tiny Dill Gherkins, that they were found to be infested and should not be used until further notice (regardless of their lot numbers).

SWEET CITY brand NORI SHEETS with the lot codes listed below have been recalled due to infestation concerns, and must be checked before using, even when bearing the Star-K symbol. All other lot codes remain certified. Lot Codes (printed on the bottom of each bag): 50824,50924,51024,51124,51424,51524,51624,51724,51824,52124,52224,52324.

INSPIRED ORGANICS brand ORGANIC CUT SPINACH and ORGANIC STRAWBERRIES bear an unauthorized cRc symbol. These products are not certified.

KRASDALE FROZEN CUT LEAF SPINACH bears an unauthorized KVH symbol. This product is not certified.

VOSS WATER + COLLAGEN bears an unauthorized OU symbol on some bottles. This product is not OU certified.

TAMMY’S KITCHEN CHICKEN CACCIATORE was mistakenly labeled with a Kof-K symbol. This product contains non-Kosher white wine and is not certified Kosher.

FIRST STREET PARMESAN CHEESE PACKETS (a foodservice item) bears an unauthorized OU-D symbol on some labels. This product is not OU certified.

PRODUCT RECALL

ICE CREAM & SHERBET RECALL: Velvet Ice Cream has announced a recall of all of its ice cream and sherbet products made on or after March 24, 2021 as a precaution, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. This includes specific products under the following brands: VELVET, SUPER DIP, NORTH STAR, BUEHLER’S, RUGGLES, WHALE OF A PAIL, and DISCOUNT DRUG MART. Details are available at https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/velvet-ice-cream-recalls-various-products-due-possible-listeria-risk
or 800-589-5000 x237.

2021-4-20 KosherGram PDF

SLICE OF HEAVEN artisanal baked goods [347-452-7016] is now under supervision of the Vaad Harabbonim / Council of Orthodox Rabbis of Greater Detroit, and is certified Pareve and Pas Yisroel.

New COCA-COLA WITH COFFEE in Dark Blend, Vanilla and Caramel flavors, and COCA-COLA WITH COFFEE ZERO SUGAR in Dark Blend and Vanilla flavors, are OU certified and bear the OU symbol engraved into the top lid of the can.

New PEPSI MANGO and PEPSI MANGO ZERO SUGAR are Kosher, and do not require a Kashrus symbol.

New DR. PEPPER ZERO SUGAR in original, Cherry and “& Cream Soda” flavors is Kosher, and does not require a Kashrus symbol.

TRADER JOE’S RESTAURANT STYLE WHITE CORN TORTILLA CHIPS in a 9 oz. bag – OU Pareve, mistakenly contains Kosher dairy cheese puffs in some bags with Sell By dates of 08/09/21, 08/10/21, and 08/11/21. These bags have been recalled. Details are available at https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/snak-king-corporation-issues-allergy- alert-undeclared-milk-allergen-trader-joes-restaurant-style or 626-363-7711.

WILTON SWEET CENTERS CARAMEL TREAT FILLING contains dairy ingredients, as listed in the ingredient statement, but mistakenly bears a plain OU without a D.

HODGSON MILL WHOLE WHEAT INSTA-BAKE BAKING MIX contains dairy ingredients, as listed in the ingredient statement, but mistakenly bears a plain OU without a D on some boxes.

CAMILLE BLOCH SWISS MILK CHOCOLATE BAR, bearing certification of Rabbi Westheim / Rabbi Landau, mistakenly says Pareve on some labels. This product is dairy, Cholov Yisroel.

New TUMS NATURALS ANTACID Black Cherry & Watermelon variety contains carmine color, which is made from non-Kosher cochineal beetles, and therefore bears no Kosher marking. TUMS CHEWY BITES also contains carmine and bears no Kosher marking. Only those Tums products that bear a Kosher symbol are acceptable. Most state Pareve beneath the symbol; however, TUMS CHEWY DELIGHTS contains milk and is marked as Dairy.

BIG C PREMIUM SELECT – SEASONED Frozen French Fried Potatoes and BIG C PREMIUM SELECT – ZESTY SEASONED Extra Crispy Batter Coated Frozen French Fried Potatoes, sold at Restaurant Depot /Jetro Cash & Carry, do not bear an OU currently, in contrast to most other Big C French Fried Potatoes products that generally do bear an OU. Check every case for Kosher marking.

LIGHTLIFE FOODS PRODUCTS: Due to changes in production, the following Lightlife Foods Meatless products are no longer Kosher: Lightlife Smart Tenders Savory Chick’n, and Lightlife Smart Menu Veggie Meatballs. New packaging does not bear the OK symbol. Any remaining product bearing the OK symbol is certified.

CARAMEL CAPPUCCINO DRINK MIX by LIDL, distributed by LIDL US, LLC, bears an unauthorized cRc symbol.

SHNEIDER’S MA PURÉE MASHED POTATOES with Lot # L185597 has been recalled because some packages may contain non-Kosher dairy mashed potatoes. Product with this lot number should not be used.

PRODUCT RECALLS

SABRA CLASSIC HUMMUS 10 oz. with a “Best Before” date of 4/26/21 has been recalled because it is potentially contaminated with Salmonella. Details are available at https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/sabra-dipping-company-issues-limited-voluntary-recall-single-sku-classic-hummus or 866-265-6761.

REAL WATER brand ALKALIZED DRINKING WATER and WATER CONCENTRATE in all sizes have been recalled because they may be linked to certain instances of non-viral hepatitis. Details are available at https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls- market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/real-water-inc-issues-precautionary-recall-all-sizes-real-water-brand-drinking-water-due- possible?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery#recall-announcement or 702-310-5437.

LA FE frozen PEPPERS & ONIONS bearing Lot # KR043021 has been recalled due to the probable presence of small pieces of blue plastic in the product. Details are available at https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/gk-foods- usa-announces-voluntary-recall-batch-la-fe-peppers-and-onions or 201.329.6260 ext. 5137.

LIFETIME PRODUCTS 6-FOOT SEMINAR TABLE Model #80176 has been recalled because the brace arms can fail to lock the table legs into place and the table can collapse, posing an injury risk. Details are available at https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2021/lifetime-products-recalls-6-foot-seminar-tables-due-to-injury-risk or 800-292-3865.