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.