2022-6-2 KosherGram PDF

 

ONLINE SHOPPING REMINDER: When shopping online for grocery delivery or curbside pickup, always check the actual label on each item when the order is received. This is essential because many online descriptions or pictures give inaccurate or outdated information regarding the product’s Kosher status. In addition, the store may substitute non-Kosher or non-approved products if the requested item is not available.

Some recent examples: 

  • Season Kipper Snacks Herring Fillets is pictured on Amazon with an OU, but the actual product delivered did not bear an OU. (Due to Covid-19 related challenges, it was produced as non-Kosher and the OU was removed.)
  • Edward & Sons Organic Mashed Potatoes is pictured on Kroger’s website with a Heart-K symbol (a division of OK Kosher), but the actual product does not bear that symbol.
  • Great Value [Walmart] Whole Wheat pasta (Spaghetti, Linguine, Penne, etc.) is pictured online with an OU symbol, but the actual product currently does not bear an OU. 

THE OK SYMBOL (a K inside an O) is a registered trademark of OK Kosher Certification. Recently, however, some non-certified companies have begun using an OK symbol to indicate a Keto diet claim. Some examples are BranchOut Avocado Crisps and Recipe Ready Instant Chicken Bone Broth. Usually there is some indication on the label that the symbol is referring to Keto. If in doubt, check the OK Kosher Product Search at www.ok.org, or contact OK Kosher Certification at 718-907-9548 or info@ok.org

PLANTERS NUT PRODUCTS are acceptable only when bearing an OU symbol. Products bearing a K (which include most Planters Dry Roasted items and some Honey Roasted items) may contain gelatin, or may be produced on the same equipment as gelatin-containing products. 

Planters 24 Variety Pack and 36 Variety Pack boxes contain some individually packed products that bear an OU [Salted Cashews and Salted Peanuts], and also individually packed products that do not bear an OU [Honey Roasted Peanuts]. Only those with an OU are recommended.

LANGERS GRAPE JUICE is made in both Kosher and non-Kosher versions, and the labels are only slightly different. Check carefully for the OU symbol.

NEW SLURPEE SYRUPS

[Note: This information is for the benefit of Kashrus Supervisors and consumers who inspect, with permission of store management, the labels on the 2.5 / 5 gal. bag-in-boxes of syrups in the back of the store, which feed the Slurpee machines. The flavor cards posted on the Slurpee machines in front cannot be relied upon to determine the Kosher status of the Slurpee, because they often do not match the brand and variety of the syrup that is actually feeding the machine.]

The following new Slurpee syrups are Kosher and pareve (no symbol required):

  • FANTA MYSTERY FLAVORS 1, 2 & 3 FCB – 2022

TRADER JOE’S ORGANIC FRENCH ROLLS and TRADER JOE’S ORGANIC FRENCH BAGUETTE that bear MK certification [Montreal] are Pas Yisroel.

FANTASTIK DISINFECTANT MULTI-PURPOSE SPRAY CLEANER and WEIMAN GRANITE & STONE DAILY CLEAN & SHINE SPRAY do not bear an OU on some new containers now in stores, but they are nevertheless Kosher and OU certified.

LIEBER’S CHOCO CHIPLETS are certified by Rabbi Weissmandl as Kosher and pareve, as stated on the back. Due to a printing error, an OU-D symbol was added to the front of the package.

WALMART’S GREAT VALUE PRETZELS and KROGER brand PRETZELS that previously had a plain OK symbol, including Pretzel Sticks, Pretzel Rods and Pretzel Mini Twists, are now changing to an OK-D symbol due to dairy equipment, and should not be eaten together with meat. Packages that still bear a plain OK symbol are pareve. Several other store brands of OK certified pretzels may also be changing status. Check each bag.

EARTHLY GRAINS LONG GRAIN & WILD RICE MIX – ORIGINAL variety, sold at Aldi, contains whey, but mistakenly bears a plain OU without a D in some regions of the U.S. The other two varieties – Garlic & Herb, and Roasted Vegetable & Chicken flavor, do not contain dairy and are correctly marked with a plain OU. In other regions, including Michigan, these products are made for Aldi by a non-Kosher supplier, and therefore bear no Kashrus marking.

C.WIRTHY & Co. BUTTER HERB SALMON was mislabeled as Kof-K Pareve. This product contains dairy butter, as stated in the ingredients, and is certified Kof-K Dairy.

STOP & SHOP brand BROWNIES and BROOKIES contain dairy ingredients, but mistakenly bear a plain Kof-K without the Dairy designation on some labels.

PURAVIDA PRIMAVERA MISTURA FIRE ROASTED FROZEN VEGETABLES – OU: The OU has announced that recently, some insects were found in the broccoli that is part of this vegetable mix. The OU advises that consumers discard the broccoli portion of the mix.  

PURAVIDA VEGETABLE MELANGE FIRE ROASTED FROZEN VEGETABLES was previously OU certified, and bags still bearing an OU are acceptable. New bags do not bear an OU and are not approved.

WALMART’S  GREAT VALUE TOMATO KETCHUP (regular type) no longer bears an OU.

DOLE RED GRAPEFRUIT SUNRISE IN 100% JUICE cups that do not bear the OU symbol are not certified, and contain grape juice. Only packages bearing the OU are approved.

TRADER JOE’S VEGETABLES: The following Trader Joe’s brand products bear an unauthorized KSA symbol next to the Best If Used By date: 

  • Shredded Cabbage
  • Wild Arugula
  • Butter Lettuce
  • Ready Veggies
  • Organic Baby Spinach & Spring Mix Blend

KNUDSEN LIGHT SOUR CREAM 16 oz. was mistakenly labeled with an OK-D symbol. This product is not OK certified.

ARTISANAL PRETZELS produced by Eastern Standard Provisions Co. and sold at Whole Foods, bears a Kof-K and includes seasoning packets. These seasonings are not Kosher and should not be used.

SALENTO ORGANICS PRODUCTS bear an unauthorized Kosher Check symbol and are not certified by the Orthodox Rabbinical Council of BC [British Columbia].

GRANNY B`S FROSTED SUGAR COOKIES mistakenly bear an OU on some labels. These cookies contain carmine, an insect derived coloring.

SUCKER PUNCH GOURMET – SWEET SPICED BREAD & BUTTER CHIPS with lot # HCFW012622A bears an unauthorized KSA Kosher symbol. This specific lot is not Kosher certified. Other lots bearing the KSA are approved.

 “1800” TEQUILA PRODUCTS bear an unauthorized OK symbol on some bottles. These products are not certified by OK Kosher Certification.

MELALEUCA LUMINEX MOOD SUPPORT SUPPLEMENT, sold through Melaleuca sales representatives, contains non-Kosher gelatin and bears an unauthorized Star-K symbol. 

 

PRODUCT RECALL

 

JIF PEANUT BUTTER RECALL: If the lot code (next to the Best If Used By Date) begins with four numbers that are between 1274 and 2140, and if the next three numbers are 425, that product has been recalled due to potential Salmonella contamination. FDA recommends that if you have used the recalled peanut butter, you should wash and sanitize surfaces and utensils that could have touched it. Details are available at https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/j-m-smucker-co-issues-voluntary-recall-select-jifr-products-sold-us-potential-salmonella or 800-828-9980.