2018-11-28 Kashrus Alerts PDF available for download.
Mexican Coke and Pepsi information:
• COCA-COLA PRODUCTS FROM MEXICO, including Coca-Cola, Sprite, Fanta and Fresca products, are not OU certified and are not recommended.
• PEPSI PRODUCTS FROM MEXICO, including Pepsi, Mountain Dew (except Kickstart) and Mist Twist products, are Kosher. (Mountain Dew Kickstart energy drink is Kosher only when bearing the letters XG in the middle of the second line of the inkjet code on bottom of the can, or when bearing a reliable certification on the label.)
BELL PEPPERS FROM ISRAEL (red, yellow and orange) will soon begin appearing in U.S. stores, and will 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 cRc Chicago) at http://kshr.us/cRcMaaser
One should always be careful when buying produce to check the sticker, bag label or original case for the country of origin. Some additional 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”), mangos, dates, dill and parsley.
TRADER JOE’S ROASTED GORGONZOLA CRACKERS bears an OU-D, and lists animal rennet in the ingredients. The OU has informed us that this product is Kosher and does not contain animal rennet; the listing is in error.
RICOLA COUGH / THROAT DROPS: Only the following five varieties are recommended by the cRc (Chicago Rabbinical Council). They do not require a certification sticker: Honey Herb, Lemon Mint – regular and Sugar Free, Mountain Herb – Sugar Free, and Natural Herb (Original). — Please note that this does not include Ricola Swiss Herbal Sweets.
UNGER’S BARLEY, CHICKPEAS & BEANS: Unger’s has issued a notice regarding infestation found in certain batches of these products. It is posted on the K-COR website at https://cordetroit.com/
GORDON CHOICE FRUIT COCKTAIL IN EXTRA LIGHT SYRUP (UPC# 093901225306) and GORDON CHOICE FRUIT COCKTAIL IN PEAR JUICE (UPC# 093901610232) in #10 foodservice size cans, distributed by Gordon Food Service, mistakenly bear an OU symbol on the outer case. The individual cans do not bear an OU (but bear a different symbol), and contain carmine, an insect derivative, as listed in the ingredients. These products are not OU certified. — Please note that Gordon Choice Mixed Fruit in Light Syrup (UPC#093901118264) and Gordon Choice Mixed Fruit in Pear Juice (UPC #093901610348) are OU certified and correctly bear the OU symbol on the cans.
CONCORD GRAPE JUICE CONCENTRATE and WHITE GRAPE JUICE CONCENTRATE distributed by Coloma Frozen Foods Inc., Coloma Michigan, bear an unauthorized cRc symbol on the label. These items are not certified Kosher.
CHESHNI FOODS PRODUCTS are neither OU nor Star-K certified. Some Cheshni Foods products, including black olives, dried fruit, tea biscuits and others, bear an unauthorized OU or Star-K symbol.
“LUCKY LEAF PREMIUM CARAMEL APPLE FRUIT FILLING OR TOPPING” in 9.5 lb. foodservice size pails contains dairy ingredients, as listed on the label, but mistakenly bears a plain OU without a D on some labels. — Please note that the 21 oz. retail size can of “Lucky Leaf Premium Caramel Apple Fruit Filling & Topping” does not contain dairy ingredients, and is correctly labeled with a plain OU.
BENTON’S SKELETON CHOCOLATE COOKIE KIT, sold at Aldi in the U.S., mistakenly bears a COR (Canada) symbol without a Dairy designation. This product is certified Dairy.
WILD COAST FRUIT CO. Dark Chocolate Blueberries and Dark Chocolate Cranberries mistakenly bear the Kosher Check Pareve logo. They are certified as Dairy. Consumers finding this product are asked to contact BC (British Columbia) Kosher at 604- 731-1803 or at info@koshercheck.org
RACCONTO PASTA SAUCES have OU certification on several, but not all, varieties; check each label. Note that the Vodka variety contains cream and states OU Dairy.
DUNCAN HINES is recalling certain batches of its Classic Butter Golden, Classic White, Classic Yellow and Signature Confetti Cake cake mixes with Best If Used By dates ranging from March 7 through March 13, 2019, due to possible salmonella contamination. Details are available at https://www.prnewswire.com/news/Conagra+Brands or 888-299-7646.
BARCELONA NUT CO. is recalling certain batches of its Roasted and Salted Pistachios (in-shell) with expiration dates ranging from 9/17 through 10/10/2019, due to possible salmonella contamination. Details are available from michelleo@barcelonanut.com (e-mail) or 443.552.5366.