Kosher Alerts

Brand: Aqua Farms Products: Premium Atlantic Salmon Company: Good Food S.A - Santiago, Chile Issue: This product was included in the OU Passover Directory as acceptable for Passover without special certification. The salmon is acceptable for Passover. The enclosed salmon seasoning packet contains kitniyot and shouldn’t be used on Passover.

Product: Egg Matza for Passover Company: Kurson Kosher, Mexico Issue: This product is certified as Kosher for Passover by the Orthodox Union, however, the label should state “According to Ashkenazi practice, egg matza may only be used for the aged and sick.” Corrective measures are being implemented.

FRESH EXPRESS bagged salads must bear a Star-K P to be considered kosher for Passover.

Due to worm infestation, the Star-K does not recommend whole sardines from Portugal, Norway, Scotland and Poland, even when bearing kosher certification. The skinless, boneless variety have not been found to have worms and are acceptable with reliable kosher certification. Whole sardines from Morocco and Philippines do not have an infestation problem.

* FrumToronto Staff note: Many Rabonim and Kashrus Organizations consider quinoa to be Kitniut and should not be used by people who don’t eat kitniut. The article below is for those that use quinoa on Pesach. Consult you local Rav if you have any questions. The cRc approves the use of whole grain quinoa for Pesach on the following conditions: • The quinoa is imported exclusively from Bolivia. Ancient Harvest is one of the brands that only imports quinoa from Bolivia; there may be others. The label should state the country of origin. • The quinoa must be carefully inspected by hand before Pesach. This is done by spreading one layer of quinoa at a time on a board or plate and checked to be sure that there are no other grains or foreign matter mixed in with the quinoa. This does not apply to Quinoa flour which is not permitted on Passover.

Bugles Original - General Mills Product: Bugles Original Company: General Mills - Minneapolis, MN Issue: Please be advised that General Mills has discontinued OU-D kosher certification from all retail and foodservice sizes of Bugles Original products due to operational changes at the production sites. The OU-D symbol has been removed from packaging. Consumers are likely to see some Bugles Original packages with the OU-D symbol and some without as the transition occurs.

Dole value added Coleslaw with added dressing packets are not Star-K certified. The Star-K symbol appearing next to the sell by date code was labeled in error. Corrective action is being taken.

Brand: Harmony Product: Gummy Bears and Gummy Worms Company: Diamond Foods - Fishers, IN Issue: This product is not OU certified. A small quantity of these products have been distributed with an OU symbol on the outer box. The boxes are being re-labeled. Consumers who see these products with an OU should please contact 212-613-8344.

February 16, 2011 As a result of a recent investigation, we have found it possible that quinoa’s kosher for Passover status is compromised when it grows or is processed in the proximity of certain crops. Therefore, Quinoa will only be accepted with reliable Kosher for Passover supervision. FrumToronto Staff Edit: In the past, there has been some question as to whether or not Quinoa is considered Kitnious. Consult your local Rav if you have any question in this regard. The above alert is meant only to point out the need for a reliable Hashgachah if you use this product.

Brand: 7 Seas Product: Frozen Gravlax Smoked Salmon Company: 7 Seas Company - British Columbia, Canada Issue: Consumers of OU products are advised not to consume 7 Seas Gravlax Smoked Salmon, as it appears that a non kosher ingredient was used in that product. Consumers that see the product in the market should please contact the Orthodox Union at 212-613-8344.

KASHRUTH ALERT February 14, 2011 Gefen Sardines Issue: There is an issue that has been observed (so far exclusively) in Gefen sardines from Portugal canned in 5769 and 5770. Several other brands from other countries have been checked and found to be clean. We have yet to observe the following concern in any other OU sardine products. OU Mashgichim checking the gut cavities of sardines have recently discovered small white worms around the internal organs of some sardines (not IN the stomachs, which is a separate issue regarding krill in the stomach of some sardines from Canada). These worms can be distinguished from various sardine blood vessels and sinews in that the worms maintain their shape fairly rigidly, even when agitated in water. They can be curled up or spread out, found most commonly on the underside of the ovaries. The Shulchan Aruch differentiates between parasites found in the flesh of fish (which are permitted) and those found in the stomach, head, behind the ears, etc (which are forbidden). Due to the difficulty involved in removing the parasitic worms found in the abdominal cavity of sardines, consumers are advised to return unopened cans of Gefen sardines from Portugal to their store of purchase, for a full refund. In addition, skinless and boneless sardine products are free from this issue. The Orthodox Union continues to research the issue, and will advise further should we discover this issue in any other products.

This is to advise that Nestlé The Skinny Cow Vanilla Sandwiches were labeled incorrectly with a COR "DE". This product is DAIRY. Corrective measures have been taken.

Brand: 7 Seas Product: Frozen Gravlax Smoked Salmon Company: 7 Seas Company - British Columbia, Canada Issue: Consumers of OU products are advised not to consume 7 Seas Gravlax Smoked Salmon, as it appears that a non kosher ingredient was used in that product. Consumers that see the product in the market should please contact the Orthodox Union at 212-613-8344.

Brand: Suntree Product: Hickory Smoked Almonds Company: Suntree LLC - Orosi, CA Issue: This certified product contains dairy ingredients as listed on the ingredient panel but the dairy designation has been inadvertently omitted. Future packaging will be revised.