‘SHOHAM” brand POMEGRANATES are produce of Israel and require taking of Terumos and Maaseros. The Shoham pomegranates sold at One Stop Kosher Food Market beginning March 2 have had Terumos and Maaseros taken. Shoham pomegranates are also being sold at other local stores, including Holiday Market, Market Fresh, and others, and require taking of Terumos and Maaseros by the purchaser.

2019-12-30 Kashrus Alerts PDF available for download.

POST HONEY BUNCHES OF OATS CEREALS in several varieties have changed from OU-D (dairy ingredient – whey) to plain OU (pareve), and many stores now have a mixture of older product with OU-D, and newer product with plain OU. Check each box carefully for its correct status.

LUDEN’S and many STORE BRANDS of THROAT / COUGH DROPS (e.g., CVS, Rite Aid, Kroger, Meijer, etc.) were in the past produced on dairy equipment and stated OU-D on the label. The manufacturing process has changed, and now they are being produced on dedicated pareve equipment and are fully pareve. New labels therefore bear a plain OU. Stores may have a mixture of OU and OU-D labeled product; check each package for its correct status.

GARDEN LITES “VEGGIES MADE GREAT” frozen products (muffins, veggie cakes, frittatas, etc.) have changed from OU certification to Triangle K, and stores now have a mixture of older product with OU, and newer product with Triangle K. Only those bearing OU are recommended. Check each package carefully.

QUINOA: Several Kashrus agencies have recently reported finding infestation in quinoa (booklice and mites), due to improper storage in the distribution chain. The OU and Star-K recommend the following checking procedure for quinoa (all colors):

• Place quinoa in a fine mesh (e.g. #30) strainer. (Fine enough that the quinoa does not go through, but not a flour sifter or coffee filter, which are too fine.)
• Shake for 25-30 seconds over a light box or white paper. Examine the surface of the light box or paper under a strong light for any insects.
• If any insects are found on the white surface, the quinoa should be discarded.

BROWN RICE: The Star-K reports infestation in brown rice sold in the Northeastern U.S., due to improper storage in the distribution chain, and recommends that consumers in those areas follow the same procedure as described above for quinoa.

BARLEY: Due to frequent infestation issues, several Kashrus agencies currently recommend that all barley (and in particular Yoshon brands) be checked prior to use. Following are two options for checking:
Soaking Method:
1. Place all the barley you wish to use in a white bowl, and fill the bowl with water, a few inches over the top of the barley.
2. Allow to sit for 15-20 minutes. If insects are present, they will float to the top. If any do, repeat the process, and if no more are then found, the barley may be used.

Plate Method:
1. Place a small pile of barley – about two ounces at a time – on a white paper plate (not plastic, which creates a shine) with good overhead light that illuminates the plate.
2. Use a finger or a fork to drag a small amount of barley away from the pile, spreading that barley in a single layer. Visually inspect the spread-apart barley, looking for webbing, black insects and white or tan worms between or under the kernels.
3. Repeat this until the entire pile has been checked. Then do the same for the rest of the barley in the package.

NATURAL EARTH brand NORI SHEETS with a date code of 2019.03.28 have been found to have infestation concerns and have been recalled. All other lots of Natural Earth Nori remain Star-K certified when bearing the Star-K symbol.

GENERAL MILLS CINNAMON TOAST CRUNCH CEREAL – 2-PACK mistakenly bears only a plain OU on the sleeve. Each individual box correctly bears OU D. This product at this time does not contain actual dairy, but is produced on dairy equipment.

KLEIN’S DELIGHTS DARK CHOCOLATE ALMONDS sold currently at Costco mistakenly bear an OK-P on some display cases. The individual bags correctly bear a plain OK, and are Kosher pareve for year round use, but not for Pesach. (In Pesach season this product is produced as Kosher for Pesach, and then bears OK-P on the individual bags.)

TRADER JOE’S CINNAMON ROLL BREAD bears an unauthorized KVH Pareve symbol on some labels. This product contains dairy and is not certified by KVH Kosher.

MARZANO SPAGHETTI SAUCE: [Corrected alert issued by OU] The OU certifies regular Marzano Spaghetti Sauce as OU pareve. Some labels with an OU symbol were mistakenly used for a spaghetti sauce that contains non-kosher beef. The labels for the Kosher and non-kosher products look alike except for the ingredients statement. Consumers should look at the ingredients statement and verify whether or not beef is listed as an ingredient. If beef is listed, the product is not certified and bears an unauthorized OU symbol. If beef is not listed, then the product is certified when bearing the OU symbol. The product with beef is being withdrawn from the marketplace. If you see this product being sold, please provide details to kosherq@ou.org.

PRODUCT RECALL

All HARD-BOILED PEELED EGGS , both retail and Foodservice, produced by Almark Foods at its Gainesville, GA plant and sold under many brand names, including Almark, 7 Select [at 7-11], Eggs-Land and others (including many that bear an OU), have been recalled due to possible association with a Listeria monocytogenes outbreak that has been linked to several reported illnesses and one reported death. Details are available at https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/almark-foods-expanded-recall-all-products-its-georgia-facility-due-possible-listeria-monocytogenes or at 877-546-0454.

[Note that the location of the G code (indicating the Gainesville, GA plant) stated in the FDA notice is incorrect. The G is after the Best If Used By date.]

2019-10-30 Kashrus Alerts PDF available for download.

TRADER JOE’S ISRAELI FETA CHEESE bearing “B.D.Z. Mehadrin” certification is reliably certified by Badatz Mehadrin of Rechovot, Israel, and is Cholov Yisroel.

KLEIN’S NATURALS DRIED MANGO with Best-By dates 09/17/20, 09/23/2020, 09/26/2020 and 10/24/2020 has been found to have a high rate of infestation and has been recalled. The OK advises that consumers should do a visual check of mango in packages with other Best-By dates.

STORE BRANDS AND GENERIC BRANDS frequently change suppliers (i.e., the outside manufacturers that produce the product for the store), which often results in a change or loss of the product’s Kosher status. Stores may also have multiple suppliers for the same product, so that some packages on the shelf bear acceptable Kosher certification while others do not, or some are marked Pareve and others are marked Dairy. Consumers should be especially careful when buying such products to check each package every time for proper Kosher certification.

Following are two current local examples.

• MEMBER’S MARK WHOLE KERNEL SWEET CORN with sea salt, sold at Sam’s Club, in the past was labeled with an OU symbol. Now the 15.25 oz. cans bear a non-recommended symbol. The large 106 oz. “Food Service” size cans still bear an OU.
• TRADER JOE’S frozen VEGETABLE MASALA BURGER no longer bears Kashrus certification. [Trader Joe’s Hi-Protein Veggie Burger, Thai Sweet Chili Veggie Burger and Quinoa Cowboy Veggie Burgers still bear OU Pareve.]

HIDDEN VALLEY DRESSINGS – Only those bearing OU or OU-D are certified Kosher. Currently, most Hidden Valley products in stores do not bear any Kashrus symbol.

[Note: As posted in our 10/30/19 alerts, Hidden Valley Original Ranch Seasoning & Salad Dressing Mix in an 8 oz. shaker container bearing an OU is certified Kosher Dairy, but mistakenly bears a plain OU without the D.]

MOTT’S APPLES ‘n DIP – SLICED APPLES WITH CARAMEL DIP bears an unauthorized Star-K symbol. The apples are Kosher certified, but the package includes a container of caramel dip that is not Kosher certified and contains dairy ingredients.

MW POLAR FLAT FILLETS ANCHOVIES bears an unauthorized OK Kosher symbol. This product is not certified by OK Kosher Certification.

PRODUCT RECALLS

ROMAINE LETTUCE FOOD SAFETY ALERT: CDC, FDA and state health authorities are investigating a multistate outbreak of serious illnesses caused by E. coli O157:H7 linked to romaine lettuce harvested from the Salinas, California growing region. CDC and FDA advise that consumers not eat any romaine lettuce grown in the Salinas region. This includes all use-by dates and brands of romaine lettuce from this region. Details are available at https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2019/o157h7-11-19/index.html

Many romaine lettuce products are labeled with a harvest location showing where they were grown. It may be printed on the package or on a sticker. If the label says “grown in Salinas”, or if the label does not specify any growing region, do not eat it.

Hydroponically and greenhouse grown romaine, which may be labeled as “indoor grown”, from any region does not appear to be related to the current outbreak.

POS’TIV and KOSHER GARDENS brands of romaine are free of this concern.
BODEK brand fresh romaine product (i.e., packaged after Nov. 15) is free of this concern.
ONE STOP KOSHER FOOD MARKET: All romaine sold since Sunday morning, Nov. 24 is free of this concern.

NESTLÉ TOLL HOUSE and M&M’s brands of Ready-To-Bake Refrigerated COOKIE DOUGH PRODUCTS have been recalled due to the potential presence of food-grade rubber pieces. Details are available at 800-681-1676 or https://www.nestleusa.com/media/pressreleases

BREAKSTONE’S COTTAGE CHEESE – Certain varieties with one Best-By date have been recalled due to the potential presence of pieces of red plastic and metal. Details are available at 866-572-3805 or https://news.kraftheinzcompany.com/

2019-9-22 Kashrus Alerts PDF available for download.

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.

• Please be aware that “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: [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 the Star-K procedure for checking dried, canned or frozen black eyed peas, and applies even if the product bears Kashrus certification. (Note: Canned peas and beans always require Kashrus certification, for general Kashrus concerns.)

• Dried peas should first be boiled in water. After they have been fully cooked, turn off the flame and allow the peas 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 peas may be checked straight out of the can/bag; there is no need to boil or soak.

• To check: Take the 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.]

DATES:

• Fresh and Dried Dates from ISRAEL are sold at many stores in the U.S., including locally. If they do not bear a reliable Kosher certification, they require taking of Terumos and Maaseros by the consumer (without a bracha).

• American dates (even with Kashrus certification): Slice open a handful from the container and inspect carefully under good light, especially around the pit, for worms or any sign of infestation, such as webbing or brown crumb-like particles. Small white particles are sugar crystals, and are not a sign of infestation. If no infestation is found, the rest may be eaten without checking. Foreign: Some Kashrus agencies recommend inspecting every date. From Pakistan, Tunisia and Algeria: Some Kashrus agencies advise to avoid. Pressed dates are frequently infested and cannot be checked, and are not recommended.

KASHRUS ALERTS

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, PIZZA STOP, PRIME 10, and SOUL CAFÉ RESTAURANT (not catering). At Jerusalem Pizza, the pizza and bagels are Pas Yisroel.

• In addition, all BROWN’S BUN BAKERY buns, rolls and bread are Pas Yisroel (glow-plug method), and MILANO BAKERY bread and rolls that bear the K-COR symbol are Pas Yisroel (glow-plug method), except for Milano Bread Sticks.

• TRADER JOE’S brand of CHOCOLATE BROOKLYN BABKA, MANGO BROOKLYN BABKA and HALF MOON COOKIES that bear OU Pareve are Pas Yisroel and Yoshon.

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

SPRING VALLEY CHEESE BLINTZES – OU Dairy – are made in both Cholov Yisroel and non-Cholov Yisroel versions. Only those packages that state “Cholov Yisroel” on the label are Cholov Yisroel. Check each package.

GENERAL MILLS CINNAMON TOAST CRUNCH “CHURROS” cereal is OU-D certified (dairy equipment), even without the OU symbol on the package.

SEASON ASIAN HARVEST brand canned WHOLE SWEET BABY CORN is inadvertently missing the OU symbol on the label for Lot #12219. This product is certified even without the OU symbol. Some product will have an OU symbol sticker added to the can.

Most SIMPLY NATURE ORGANIC BREADS at Aldi are no longer manufactured by a Kosher certified company, and no longer bear the Kosher Check symbol.

HAPPY BABY ORGANICS “CLEARLY CRAFTED” baby food jars are no longer OU certified due to changes in production, and new jars therefore no longer bear the OU symbol. Jars that still bear the OU were produced before this change. Check each label. [Note: The new jars without the OU state “Clearly Crafted” on the front of the jar above the variety name, instead of on the side.] Other Happy Baby products remain OU certified when bearing the OU symbol. Certification of the jar products may possibly be reinstated in the future.

SNAPPLE DIET CRANBERRY RASPBERRY Juice Drink is not OK certified and is not a Kosher product. Some 6-packs (16 oz. bottles) were mistakenly printed with the OK symbol on the outer cartons. The actual bottles do not bear the OK symbol.

SHATNEZ ALERT

CUISINART BRAND OVEN MITTS, product of China, with a label stating “100% Polyester Filling”, actually contain wool and linen in the filling. In general, oven mitt fillings should be checked for shatnez, especially if made in China. Silicone mitts without a filling do not require checking. [Star-K]

PRODUCT RECALLS

GOLD MEDAL UNBLEACHED ALL PURPOSE FLOUR in 5 lb. bags (UPC# 0-16000-19610-0) with a Better If Used By date of 06SEP2020KC has been recalled due to potential presence of E. coli O26 contamination. Consumers who have had to discard products covered by this recall may contact General Mills Consumer Relations at 1-800-230-8103 or 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.

UDI’S GLUTEN FREE CLASSIC HAMBURGER BUNS with a bag closure code of 191971U has been recalled due to the potential presence of small pieces of white plastic. Details are available at 800-881-3989 or https://www.conagrabrands.com/news-room/news-udis-classic-hamburger-buns-recalled-due-to-potential-presence-of-foreign-material-prn-122698

WHIRLPOOL, KITCHENAID and JENNAIR brand GLASS COOKTOPS WITH TOUCH CONTROLS with certain model numbers have been recalled because the cooktop surface elements can turn on by themselves, posing burn and fire hazards. Details are available at 888-900-7897 or https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2019/Whirlpool-Recalls-Glass-Cooktops-with-Touch-Controls-Due-to-Burn-and-Fire-Hazards

2019-7-28 Kashrus Alerts PDF available for download.

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

SUNDAE SHOPPE CHERRY/GRAPE/ORANGE JUNIOR POPS regular and Sugar-Free, sold at Aldi, now bear an OU-D due to dairy equipment. They may be eaten after meat, but not with meat.

BASKIN-ROBBINS new “NON-DAIRY CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE DOUGH FROZEN DESSERT” and “NON-DAIRY CHOCOLATE EXTREME FROZEN DESSERT” bear a Star-D symbol due to dairy equipment, and may be eaten after meat, but not with meat. In addition, the following Baskin-Robbins ices and sorbets bear a Star-D due to dairy equipment, and may be eaten after meat: Daiquiri Ice, Horchata Ice, Watermelon Splash Ice, Miami Vice Sorbet, and Raspberry Sorbet. [“Sorbet” should not be confused with Sherbet, which contains actual milk ingredients.]

(Note: As explained in the Kashrus Alerts of 6/26/19, it is always preferable to buy at a fully supervised ice cream store. If it is necessary to buy from an unsupervised store, the consumer should request and see the sealed container before it is opened and check for the Kosher symbol, and the scoop should be thoroughly washed.)

SIMPLY brand JUICES AND DRINKS: Most varieties are OU certified and bear the OU symbol. However, the new Simply Smoothie drinks in three flavors are not OU certified and do not bear an OU.

GERBER SITTER 2nd FOODS – APPLE BANANA with OATMEAL CEREAL and APPLE MANGO with RICE CEREAL (in 2 Packs of 4 oz. cups), which were OU certified in the past, are no longer certified due to changes in production; new packages therefore no longer bear the OU. Older packages that still bear the OU symbol are Kosher. Check each package carefully. Other varieties of 2nd Foods fruit with cereal were not certified in the past and remain non-certified.

INSTANT RICE or MINUTE RICE requires reliable Kashrus certification in order to avoid an issue of bishul akum. If used without certification, Kashering of utensils may be required; consult your Rav. [Instant rice is fully cooked at the factory and then dehydrated, and although the package directions call for a brief cooking, it can actually be made fully edible just by soaking in water without cooking.] Note: Parboiled or Converted rice that is not Instant and not precooked does not pose a bishul akum issue.

EARTHLY GRAINS INSTANT RICE, sold at Aldi in White Rice and Brown Rice varieties, is manufactured by multiple suppliers. Some boxes bear Kosher marking (Star-K or OU), while others do not. Check each box carefully. (See above item regarding Instant Rice.)

GEFEN HUNGARIAN SOUR CHERRIES (23.9 oz. jar) has been recalled due to infestation that was found in some of the cherries.

RUSHMORE ESSENTIALS ORGANIC ANTIOXIDANT 3-BERRY BLEND (Strawberries, Blueberries and Blackberries) bears an unauthorized OK symbol. This product was recalled last year, but was found recently at a food bank.

HARRIS TEETER CRANBERRY BLACK CHERRY JUICE COCKTAIL is not OU certified. Some labels bear an unauthorized OU symbol.

FOOD CLUB TOMATO CLAM JUICE COCKTAIL bears an unauthorized OU symbol on some labels.

SAFIR canned TOMATOES WITH TOMATO JUICE AND BASIL, a product of Tunisia, bears an unauthorized Star-K sticker.

THE CHODOSH SEASON is beginning very soon. Those who want to purchase Yoshon items to store over the Chodosh season should do so now.

ONE STOP KOSHER FOOD MARKET: Only the following One Stop departments are supervised by the Council of Orthodox Rabbis of Greater Detroit:

• Deli Dept.
• Pizza Stop
• Superior Meat Dept.
• Fresh Bakery Dept.
• Repackaged Bulk Candies bearing the K-COR symbol
• Fresh Produce [insect-prone items that do not bear certification on the label need to be checked by the consumer]

The consumer should check all other products for a reliable Kosher certification on the label. While most products in the store have recommended certifications, there are some exceptions, such as Del Monte canned vegetables, and Birds Eye frozen vegetables (spinach, broccoli stir-fry), that bear Triangle K. There are also some certifications about which there may be different opinions, in particular regarding certain candies with foreign certifications. If the symbol is not on the COR’s Kosher card, check with your Rav or call the COR (Vaad Harabbonim).

TISHA B’AV & YOM KIPPUR ALERT: TOMS SHOES canvas and material styles are worn by many on Tisha B’Av and Yom Kippur in the belief that they have no leather content. In fact, except for those Toms shoes that are classified as “Vegan”, most Toms shoes do contain leather or suede leather, in either the insole, the upper or the heel wrap.

PRODUCT RECALL – 7-SELECT HUMMUS & PRETZELS at 7-Eleven stores that bear a date code of 150 through 176 on the side of the container (as the last 3 digits of the 5 digit code) have been recalled due to potential Listeria contamination. Containers with these codes have been found in local 7-Eleven stores. A number of other brands of hummus products have also been recalled. Details are available at https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/pita-pal-foods-lp-recalls-various-hummus-and-dips-due-possible-health-risk or 832-803-9295.