2018-9-6 Kashrus Alerts PDF available for download.
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 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 only, not catering.
BLACK EYED PEAS are often infested and require careful checking.
B’gan brand of dried black eyed peas has been found to be infested and has been recalled from stores. If you have purchased this product, please return it to the store for a full refund. This does not affect any other B’gan varieties of beans.
The following is the Star-K procedure for checking dried or canned black eyed peas. (Note: canned peas and beans always require Kashrus certification for general Kashrus concerns.)
Dried or Canned Black Eyed Peas
Dried peas should be boiled in water. After coming to a boil, turn off the flame, cover the pot and allow it sit for three hours. The beans will swell and the peel becomes translucent. For canned peas, you can check them straight out of the can, no need to boil first. Then take 10-15 beans on the palm of one hand and check for holes or a dark-colored stain, which may indicate an insect underneath 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.) If no insects are found, the entire bag/can may be used.
[For those who prefer not to rely on checking, some Poskim advise that the custom can be fulfilled without eating the item, by placing it on the table and looking at it.]
BODEK FROZEN BLUEBERRIES with Sell By dates of February 2020 and May 2020, and Bodek frozen Cranberry Blueberry Blend with a Sell By date of February 2020, have been found to be infested, and may returned for a full refund.
NORI SEAWEED SHEETS require reliable Kashrus certification due to a concern of being processed on non-Kosher equipment, and also due to a serious issue of infestation. A number of Nori brands have recently been recalled, although they bear a Kashrus symbol, due to either infestation or unauthorized use of the symbol. The following list was issued by the Star-K:
Recalled Nori Brands as of September 5, 2018
[The lot numbers are usually inkjetted on the bag or package.]
1) Sweet City – Star-K symbol. Two recalled lots: 092520 and 131820
2) China Mehadrin – CRC (Hisachdus) symbol. One recalled lot: 3200/02426 1803 3242618043 2018 5A3B
3) Sushi Metzuyan – Star-K symbol. One recalled lot: 121919
4) Nantong Huaxin Seaweed – All bear an unauthorized Kof-K symbol. Should be considered not Kosher.
5) Ushia Sushi – All bear an unauthorized Star-K symbol. Should be considered not Kosher.
6) Sushi Maven – Volover symbol. ALL lots recalled EXCEPT two:
a. Best by Date: 09/30/2019 may be used.
b. Best by Date: 01/10/2019 may be used.