2023-11-30 KosherGram PDF
GEFEN dried GARBANZO BEANS (CHICK PEAS) in 16 oz. bags with Best By dates of 08-28-25, 09-11-25, and 10-02-25 have been found to be infested, and should not be used.
ALDI FRESH TILAPIA FILLETS are not acceptable because they do not have Kashrus certification and are sold without skin / scales. Aldi’s FRESH FARM-RAISED SALMON, however, that is plain, unseasoned and vacuum-sealed, has skin / scales on one side and is acceptable even without certification. [“Farm-Raised” is stated in fine print on the back.] This includes Aldi’s Atlantic Salmon Portion and Fillet, Norwegian Atlantic Salmon Portion, and Coho Salmon Portion.
FERRARA CANDY CO. products, including Jaw Busters [Jawbreakers], Atomic Fireballs, and others, are no longer under UMK certification, and have not been for quite some time. The individually wrapped Jaw Busters currently being sold, that bear the UMK symbol, may have been produced after the termination of the certification, and are not recommended.
KOSHER / NON-KOSHER VERSIONS: Consumers should be aware that there are instances of almost identical meat items, with the same manufacturer and brand names, where one item is Kosher certified and the other is non-Kosher. This causes confusion and mistakes. Always check each package for Kashrus certification.
Following are two examples:
- “BRAD’S ORGANIC” CHICKEN BROTH (32 oz. containers) – The “Low Fat” version bears “OU Meat”. The “Fat Free / Low Sodium” version bears no Kosher marking and is not Kosher. It was recently mistakenly sold at a Kosher store in Illinois.
- IMAGINE CHICKEN BROTH was in the past produced in both “Kosher” and non-Kosher versions. The Kosher version has been discontinued, but some on-line sites are still advertising the product as Kosher, and it was recently mistakenly sold at a Kosher store in Michigan.
WELCH’S GRAPE JUICE with a K is not an Orthodox supervision and should not be considered Kosher.
OFF THE EATEN PATH CHICKPEA VEGGIE CRISPS, with specific lot numbers, may contain undeclared milk ingredients due to the unintended presence of caramel seasoned crisps. Details are available at https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/frito-lay-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-milk-eaten-path-chickpea-veggie-crisps or 844-683-7284.
The following product contains dairy ingredients and is certified OU Dairy. Some labels mistakenly bear a plain OU without the D:
- 365 WHOLE FOODS MARKET LEMON WAFER BITES and VANILLA WAFER BITES [revised OU alert]
The following products bear unauthorized Kashrus marking on some labels:
- MOORE’S ORIGINAL TERIYAKI MARINADE – unauthorized OU symbol.
- SADAF CHARGRILLED ARTICHOKES – 9.5 oz. jars – unauthorized Star-K symbol. [Star-K does not certify artichoke hearts due to insect infestation.]
- ARIZONA GRAPEADE FRUIT JUICE COCKTAIL sold in Israel – bears an added label with an unauthorized Kof-K symbol. This product is not Kosher.
- AGUR WINERY – various wines imported by Israeli Wine Direct, LLC / Levantara Imports display the words “Certified by OK Kosher” in Hebrew. OK Kosher has not certified Agur Winery since 2014.
RECALLS
WANABANA APPLE CINNAMON FRUIT PUREE POUCHES, SCHNUCKS CINNAMON APPLESAUCE POUCHES and WEIS CINNAMON APPLESAUCE POUCHES have been recalled due to extremely elevated lead levels that have sickened a number of children. Details are available at https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigation-elevated-lead-levels-cinnamon-applesauce-pouches-november-2023?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
CANTALOUPE and PINEAPPLE SPEARS products have been recalled due to a serious Salmonella Outbreak. Most of these products are past their Best By dates and are no longer in stores, but some consumers store or freeze them for later use. See details at https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/sundsvall-11-23/index.html and https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-salmonella-cantaloupes-november-2023 .
CRUSH ORANGE SODA with a specific lot number has been recalled due to plastic material in the product. Details are available at
SIMILAC PROBIOTIC TRI-BLEND RECALL and FDA warning regarding probiotics for hospitalized preterm infants: