2025-2-12 KosherGram PDF
THE FOLLOWING NEW SODAS are Kosher-pareve and bear an OU on the bottle cap or engraved into the can lid:
- COCA-COLA ORANGE CREAM – regular and Zero Sugar
- SPRITE VANILLA FROST SODA Limited Edition
THE FOLLOWING NEW SODAS are Kosher-pareve (no symbol required):
- PEPSI WILD CHERRY & CREAM – regular and Zero Sugar
- DR PEPPER BLACKBERRY – regular and Zero Sugar
AM FRESH NORTH AMERICA GRAPEFRUIT sold at Costco are produce of Israel as stated on the plastic bag closures (and on the cases – “Jaffa / Mehadrin – Israel”), and require taking of Terumos and Maaseros.
POMEGRANATES FROM ISRAEL are available in U.S. stores, and require taking of Terumos and Maaseros. Consumers should check the stickers on the individual fruit, or the original cases, for the country of origin. Pomegranates from most countries list the country name on the sticker; those that do not are very likely from Israel, and their original case must be checked in the store.
CAROUSEL’S SOFT SERVE ICERY, despite a Kosher symbol and “Kosher” claims on its website and trucks, does not have Kashrus certification of its stores or trucks. While the company may purchase a number of Kosher certified products, their certifications apply only to the products in their original sealed packaging bearing Kosher marking. There is no supervision at the store or truck level to guarantee the Kashrus of the product in the soft serve machines, or of the repackaged or loose products.
IDAHOAN “ORIGINAL MASHED POTATOES” does not bear an OU symbol on new boxes due to a printing error, but is still certified OU Pareve.
RICOLA THROAT DROPS: The following varieties, only when sold in bags or boxes, are recommended by the cRc [Chicago Rabbinical Council]. No marking is required. They are not recommended when sold in stick-packs.
- Original (Natural) Herb
- Honey Herb
- Lemon Mint
- Lemon Mint – Sugar Free
GREAT VALUE TACO SHELLS [Walmart] no longer bear the Kof-K symbol and are not certified, although online pictures may still show the symbol.
THE FOLLOWING PRODUCTS ARE CERTIFIED KOSHER DAIRY. Some labels mistakenly do not bear the D designation:
- CASA DE COCOA DARK and MILK CHOCOLATE COVERED ALMONDS [OU-D]
- ROLD GOLD AUNTIE ANNE’S CINNAMON SUGAR FLAVORED PRETZEL TWISTS [OU-D]
- MOMMY KNOWS BEST LACTATION COOKIES [cRc-D]
- PURATOS CHOCOLANTÉ DARK CHOCOLATE SHAVINGS [cRc-D]
- BANG COOKIES [OK-D]
THE FOLLOWING PRODUCTS BEAR UNAUTHORIZED KASHRUS MARKING on some labels:
- Various GUMMY CANDIES from DURHAM PECAN CO. sold at Food Lion – unauthorized Kof-K symbol. These items are not Kosher. Flavors include Summer Freedom Bears, Summer Freedom Rings and Sherbert Gummi Ice Pops.
- TERRA VITA OIL PRODUCTS – unauthorized OU symbol.
- OSMO CHICKEN & HERBS SALT – unauthorized OU symbol.
- HAPPY DAY WHEY PROTEIN – unauthorized OU symbol.
- NULU BOURBON WHISKEY – unauthorized cRc symbol on sticker.
- NUDA TEQUILA – all products – unauthorized OK symbol.
- CUCINA VIVA frozen QUARTERED ARTICHOKE HEARTS – unauthorized Star-K symbol. The Star-K does not certify artichoke hearts due to insect infestation.
- LOCAL ROOTS KOMBUCHA Tea products – unauthorized EarthKosher symbol.
- HIGHVIBE MUSHROOMS products – unauthorized EarthKosher symbol.
PRODUCT RECALLS and WARNINGS
NUGO DARK CHOCOLATE CHIP and NUGO DARK CHOCOLATE PRETZEL PROTEIN BARS, certified OU Pareve, have been recalled due to the presence of undeclared milk, which poses a serious health risk for consumers with dairy allergies or severe sensitivities. Details are available at https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/lifestyle-evolution-voluntarily-recalls-nugo-dark-chocolate-chip-and-nugo-dark-pretzel-due or 888-421-2032. According to the OU, the small amount of milk is an allergen concern, but does not affect the Kashrus status.
TRADER JOE’S, GENOVA, VAN CAMP’S and H-E-B brands of CANNED TUNA PRODUCTS have been recalled due to possible contamination with clostridium botulinum, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning. Details are available at https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tri-union-seafoods-issues-recall-of-select-genova-van-camps-h-e-b-and-trader-joes-tuna-cans-due-to-clostridium-botulinum-risk-302371717.html or 833-374-0171.
CPSC warning: HAIYEATBNB ELECTRIC IMMERSION WATER HEATERS sold on Amazon pose a risk of serious injury and death due to fire and burn hazards. Details are available at https://www.cpsc.gov/Warnings/2025/CPSC-Warns-Consumers-to-Immediately-Stop-Using-HAIYEATBNB-Electric-Immersion-Water-Heaters-Sold-on-Amazon-com-Due-to-Fire-and-Burn-Hazards-Risk-of-Serious-Injury-and-Death