Kosher Alerts

With the approach of Rosh Hashana, when many of us will be enjoying fresh fruits and other traditional foodstuffs, STAR-K reminds you that some of these items need to be checked carefully prior to use. Checking instructions for all Rosh Hashana Simanim appear here and also as a downloadable PDF below. For your convenience, we are also including links to the 5783 Yoshon Quick Reference Guide, Insect Checking chart and What Do Bugs Look Like chart. https://www.star-k.org/articles/wp-content/uploads/RST_RoshHashana_5782-FOR-WEB-min-3.pdf https://www.star-k.org/checking.php https://www.star-k.org/images/What-bugs-look-like.pdf https://www.star-k.org/articles/wp-content/uploads/yosh-qrg-ver_9.20.22.pdf ROSH HASHANA SIMANIM CHECKING INSTRUCTIONS APPLES/BEETS/CARROTS/POMEGRANATES: No checking required. DATES*: Open a few dates in each container and visually inspect. If no insects can be seen, the rest may be eaten without further checking. FIGS*: Open each one and check carefully for infestation (typically wasps, beetles or worms). NOTE: Figs are particularly difficult to check. * Checking instructions for dates and figs apply even if they have a hechsher, due to the possibility of improper storage. BLACK EYED PEAS: Preparation Dried Peas should first be boiled in water. After they have been fully cooked, allow the peas to soak in the water for 2-3 hours. The peas will then swell and the peel will become translucent. Then check as instructed below. Canned or Frozen Peas may be checked straight out of the can/bag; there is no need to boil or soak. Checking Instructions Take the peas and inspect for holes or dark-colored stains, as this may indicate an insect beneath 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. NOTE: The black "eye" spot is not a sign of infestation. Similarly, orange colored stains on the surface are not signs of infestation; only dark or black stains are of concern. LEEKS: Examine the outside for any leaf miner trails. Check in between the leaves for thrips or other insects. CABBAGE: Fresh Cabbage: Separate all leaves and wash well. Then check using the thrip cloth method. Stuffed Cabbage: After freezing the head, defrost and separate all leaves and wash them well. Then check using the thrip cloth method. THRIP CLOTH METHOD: Prepare a basin with water and non-bleach/non-toxic dishwasher detergent solution. The water should feel slippery. Agitate the produce in the solution for 15 seconds. Remove the produce from the basin and shake off excess water over the basin. Pour water through the thrip cloth over another basin. Check the thrip cloth over a light box for any insects.** If insects are found, wash the produce again and recheck, repeating steps 1-4. This can be repeated up to 3 times. If insects are still found on the third try, the produce should not be used. ** If one does not have a thrip cloth, the cabbage leaves may be checked carefully using a lightbox or under good lighting. HONEY: Pure honey does not need a hechsher (Clover, Wildflower, Blossom, Orange, etc., are types of honey, not flavors). Flavored honey needs a hechsher. STAR-K wishes everyone a k’siva v’chasima tova and a sweet new year!

As Rosh Hashana 5873 approaches, we would like to ensure that consumers are aware that there is an abundance of fresh Israeli fruit from the Shemittah year in the market, specifically fresh dates. Fresh Barhi dates may be Shemittah fruits which are subject to the laws of Shemittah. Shemittah fruits are imbued with a special kedusha that creates restrictions from purchasing to consumption and the inability to discard them. Dried dates may be produce of last year which would be subject to the laws of terumos and maaseros but they also may be produce of Shemittah. Please take care in checking the country of origin of all the fruit that you purchase including pomegrantes (Shoham is the Israeli brand).

Please note that Zeh Arak of Brooklyn, NY, producers of flavored arak, is not currently certified by STAR-K, and has not been under STAR-K certification since April 2021.

Smuckers Uncrustables Brand: Smuckers Product: Smuckers Uncrustables, all flavors Company: J.M. Smucker Co. Issue: Due to supply chain issues, the kosher certification of this product will be discontinued over the next few months. Packaging which bears the OU symbol is in fact kosher. The uncertified product is now hitting the market. Consumers should always verify the presence of the kosher symbol before purchasing.

ALDI’S FROZEN BROCCOLI, SPINACH and CAULIFLOWER products, sold under the Simply Nature and Season’s Choice brands, products of Mexico, and Aldi’s SIMPLY NATURE OIL SPRAYS (Coconut, Avocado, Olive, Grapeseed) bear an MK symbol (an MK in a circle, with the word Kosher in Hebrew and English inside the circle to the right of the K) in some regions. Consumers should be aware that this is not the MK of Montreal or Manchester.

Please be advised that due to a printing mistake, some packages of Sea Salt Lentil Chips produced by Enjoy Life were mistakenly labeled as cRc Pareve, when in fact, the product should be labeled cRc D.E. (dairy equipment). Corrective action has been taken. While Enjoy Life is a gluten-free company, please note that the following cRc-certified products contain oat flour and therefore requires the bracha of mezonos: Breakfast Ovals: Apple Cinnamon; Berry Medley; Chocolate Chip Banana; Dark Chocolate; Maple Fig Crunchy Cookies: Strawberry Lemonade; Crunchy Cookies Birthday Soft Baked Cookies: Monster; Oatmeal Raisins; Apple Cider Donut The above products are neither Pas Yisroel nor Yoshon.

Pastas La Modena, is being sold with a consume cube. The consume cub IS NOT AUTHORIZED

Our celery stalk policy has been updated due to recent infestation. Non Organic – cut away & discard leaves, then wash each stalk under a stream of water. Organic – cut away & discard leaves, place stalks in bowl of soapy water; then wash each stalk under a stream of water.

Due to recent findings of thrips and baby thrips found on sugar snap peas and snow peas, we are requiring all (i.e., fresh, pre-washed, IQF) sugar snap peas and snow peas to be checked using the thrip cloth method prior to use