Kosher Alerts

Please find an alert attached sent by Insect Inspection Lab about infestation of garlic. COR has checked garlic (from China) and has found infestation. Fresh garlic cloves should therefore be separated from the skin and rinsed before use. Garlic that is purchased "pre-peeled" can be used as is.

The product is SELECTION BUTTER FLAVOURED COOKING SPRAY and is sold in METRO. The product is DAIRY but is not labeled as such.

Due to a recent discovery of increased infestation of insects in broccolini, the cRc has revised its policy on checking it. We now recommend that it must be washed very well with either a vegetable wash or a food grade soap solution, and checked with a chazaka. (See our website) This does not effect the cRc policy on other broccoli products. This information, including a list of the cRc policy on checking for insects on over 100 different fruits and vegetables, can be found on the cRc website. http://www.crcweb.org/fruit_vegetable_policy.php

Please be advised that Strub’s Kosher Dill Pickles are indeed Kosher for Passover. The ingredient label that indicates the presence of mustard seed is an error. There is no mustard seed in the Kosher for Passover product. Chag Kasher V’Sameach,

EFFECTIVE JANUARY 13TH 2013: SEPHA FOODS HAS SWITCH FROM COR CERTIFICATION TO BADATZ TORONTO CERTIFICATION. THE DECISION WAS DUE TO FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS. THIS FACILITY IS UNDER OUR STRICT MEHADRIN SUPERVISION AND ALL PRODUCTS FROM THIS COMPANY CONTINUE TO BE STRICTLY KOSHER. PER: RABBI MOSHE BENSALMON KASHRUS ADMINISTRATOR

January 1, 2013 Dear Kosher Insiders: We have found several instances of leaf miners and leaf miner trails (see below for more information) in green onions (scallions). As such, we are instructing our mashgichim and advising the community to check green onion shoots for such trails. If you find a leaf miner trail you may cut the trail out of the green onion by cutting 1 inch above and below the trail and discarding the infested portion. It is noteworthy to mention that leaf miners can are also found in celery, basil and spinach. It is necessary to check at least a sample of these stalks and leaves to ensure that your produce is not infested. If you have never seen a leaf miner before and would like to see a sample, please call me at the office. I have attached several pictures of leaf miners for your convenience. Please note that this Advisory will expire on February 28, 2013 should there be no further update on the situation.

Please be advised of the following alert Brand: Planters Product: Milk Chocolate Covered Almonds Issue: The product was inadvertently labeled without a "dairy" designation on the COR logo but it does indicate milk in the product name. This product is dairy. Resolution: Corrective action is being taken to ensure correct labeling.

November 8, 2012 Kashrus Violations Agromet S.A. G. Banis Company & Services Inc. of Greece, producers of institutional sized olives and pickled products, has been terminated due to kashrus violations. If you are in possession of the above products, please call the STAR-K at 410-484-4110.

We have been advised of a serious concern at Carlo’s No Frills at (Yonge and Steeles). The store has, on their own initiative, packaged and labeled chickens as CHAI KOSHER CHICKENS. Please be advised that the source of these chickens is unverifiable as there is no Mashgiach at that store. In order for chicken or poultry to be considered kosher it must remain packaged in its original packaging and bear the authentic COR seals and labels. Once the original packaging is removed in an unsupervised environment, the chickens or poultry lose their kosher status.

Please be advised that COR Mashgichim have found instances of infestation of small worms both off-white and black in barley. Other organizations (CRC and Star-K) have sent out alerts to their respective communities reporting similar findings. We are advising that, until further notice, barley be checked prior to use by spreading it out on a white piece of paper or other surface. Look for insects amongst and in between the grains. Alternatively, barley can be soaked in water for 15-20 minutes and agitated. Let the water settle and check if any worms or insects rise to the top of the water. Credit to our colleagues at CRC of Chicago for an extensive alert and video demonstration which can be viewed at http://www.crcweb.org/alerts.php

October 18,2012 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT We hereby wish to advise that blueberries from Argentina have been checked and found to be highly infested. It is therefore not permissible to eat blueberries from Argentina until further notice. Vaad Harabbonim of Montreal PLEASE POST AND/OR DISTRIBUTE THIS NOTICE ======================================================================================= Octobre 18, 2012 AVIS IMPORTANT Par la présente nous désirons vous aviser que les bleuets provenant de l’Argentine ont été vérifiés et qui se révèlent infestés. Il n’est donc pas permis de manger les bleuets provenant de l’Argentine jusqu’à nouvel avis. Le Vaad Harabbanim de Montréal S’IL VOUS PLAIT, VEUILLEZ ACCROCHER ET/OU DISTRIBUER CET AVIS.

October 11, 2012 Please be aware that the Sunkist brand Coconut Ice Cream Bar incorrectly bears a “cRc Dairy Equipment” logo. The product is kosher but contains actually dairy ingredients (cholov stam) as noted in the ingredients and allergen information.

Rosh Hashana is fast approaching and stores are now stocked with an array of delicious fruit from all over the world, including from Israel. Fruits from Israel are subject to the laws of terumos and maaseros such that terumos and maaseros must be taken before they may be consumed. For detailed instructions, please see othe COR website at http://cor.ca/view/61/produce_of_israel_a_primer.html or watch an instructional video at http://cor.ca/view/255:2/video_instructional_tithing_produce_from_the_land_of_israel.html.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT We hereby wish to advise that corn on the cob from Quebec have been checked and found to be infested. It is therefore not permissible to eat corn on the cob from Quebec until further notice. Vaad Harabonim of Montreal