Kosher Alerts

DRIED FRUIT • APPLES – Must bear a reliable Hechsher. • APRICOTS – DOMESTIC – No Hechsher required. Must be checked for infestation. • APRICOTS – TURKISH – No Hechsher required. Must be checked for infestation. • BANANA CHIPS – Must bear a reliable Hechsher. • BLUEBERRIES - Must bear a reliable Hechsher. Must be checked for infestation (WILD). • CAROB – BUXER - No Hechsher required. Must be checked for infestation. • CHERRIES - Must bear a reliable Hechsher. • COCONUT – UNSWEETENED – No Hechsher required – untoasted only. • COCONUT – SWEETENED – Must bear a reliable Hechsher. • CRAISINS - Must bear a reliable Hechsher. • DATES – GLAZED – Must bear a reliable Hechsher. • DATES –TUNISIAN – Tunisian dates in retail packaging should NOT be used. • DATES – WHOLE - No Hechsher required. (No oil) Cut open and check for infestation. • FIGS – WHOLE - No Hechsher required. Cut open and check for any discoloration or white worms. It is very difficult to check for infestation and preferable not to use. • FIGS – SLICED & DICED – Must bear a reliable Hechsher. Must be checked for infestation. • GINGER - No Hechsher required. • KIWI - Must bear a reliable Hechsher. • MANGO - Must bear a reliable Hechsher. • NECTARINES - No Hechsher required. • PAPAYA – Must bear a reliable Hechsher. • PEACHES - No Hechsher required. • PEARS - No Hechsher required. • PINEAPPLE – Must bear a reliable Hechsher. • PRUNES - Must bear a reliable Hechsher. • SUGAR-COATED FRUIT – Must bear a reliable Hechsher. NUTS • ALMONDS DRY-ROASTED – Must bear a reliable Hechsher. • ALMONDS RAW – No Hechsher required. • CASHEW NUTS RAW – No Hechsher required. Must be checked for infestation. • CASHEW NUTS ROASTED – Must bear a reliable Hechsher. Must be checked for infestation. • PEANUTS ROASTED - SHELLED – Must bear a reliable Hechsher. • PISTACHIO NUTS ROASTED – Must bear a reliable Hechsher. • PISTACHIO NUTS RAW – No Hechsher required. • SUNFLOWER SEEDS RAW – No Hechsher required. • SUNFLOWER SEEDS ROASTED – Must bear a reliable Hechsher. • WALNUTS RAW - No Hechsher required. Must be checked for infestation. ALL SHELLED-ROASTED AND/OR SEASONED NUTS MUST HAVE A HECHSHER. MAKE SURE TO CHECK FOR INSECTS WHERE APPLICABLE. ANY FRUIT OR NUTS FROM ISRAEL MUST HAVE A RELIABLE HECHSHER

We have been contacted by a number of consumers noticing the presence of "shrimp" in sardines. This is actually krill, a small shrimp-like crustacean, which is a common source of feed for sardines. Krill is normally digested prior to processing and should not be found in canned sardines, even sardines which contain the stomach. This year, many factors (e.g., size of fish, warmer water temperatures, methods of fishing, etc.) combined to create a very unusual fishing year and an increase in sardines containing undigested krill in their stomachs. This issue is not one of quality, species substitution or adulteration of any sort: rather an unexpected and previously unforeseen occurrence, which now requires our attention. While the presence of undigested krill is a rare occurrence, and fluctuates seasonally, all sardines should be inspected prior to consumption or remove the stomach to eliminate any concern. Skinless and boneless sardines are not affected, as their stomachs have been removed.

Brand: Tio Pepe’s Product: Churros Company: J & J Snack Foods - Pennsauken, NJ 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.

Please be advised that the following product was labeled with a COR "DE" This product is Dairy. COMPLIMENTS STONE GROUND WHEAT CRACKERS 250 G (upc: 55742 38071 2) Corrective measures have been taken.

Product: Bugles Original Company: General Mills - Minneapolis, MN Issue: General Mills is discontinuing the OU-D kosher certification from all sizes of Bugles Original due to operational changes at the production sites, and will no longer be certified. The OU-D symbol will begin to be removed from packaging in February of 2011. Consumers are likely to see some Bugles Original packages with the OU-D symbol and some without as the transition occurs. The Bugles with the OU-D are in fact kosher.

Brand: Planters Product: Nutrition Omega-3 Mix Company: Kraft Foods - East Hanover, NJ Issue: This is a repost from March 02, 2010. 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.

Please be advised that we are receiving reports of insect infestation in various pasta products, some of which were manufactured in the past 2 to 3 months. Insects can be small and black, approximately 2-3 mm in size. This situation is being monitored and is under review by COR. At this time, we recommend that you check your pasta before cooking. An easy way to ascertain whether insects are present is to spread the product across a white paper plate and look for the signs of infestation.

Brand: Dole Product: Mixed Berries (A Food Service Item) Company: Dole Food Company - Westlake Village, CA Issue: Bears an OU and contains raspberries which are prone to infestation. Packaging is being revised.

THE MK WISHES TO INFORM THE PUBLIC THAT AMIRA CORN FLAX CHIPS INADVERTENTLY BEARS THE MK PAREVE DESIGNATION. THIS PRODUCT SHOULD BE LABELED MK DAIRY. PLEASE POST AND/OR DISTRIBUTE THIS NOTICE. December 21, 2010

Brand: Aunt Jemima Product: Whole Wheat Blend Pancake Mix Company: Quaker Oats Company Issue: This product was recently packaged bearing an OU-D symbol. The product is actually OU PAREVE. Corrective measures are being implemented.

Brand: Clover Valley Product: Hazelnut Coffee Creamer, 8 oz. French Vanilla Coffee Creamer, 8 oz. Company: Dollar General Issue: Some labels have an ’OU’ and are missing the ’D’. This product is dairy and the company is correcting this error.

Brand: Daniella Product: Whipped Cheese Company: Strauss Dairies, Ltd. (Israel) Issue: This product is labeled OU D Chalav Yisroel. This product is OU D but is not Chalav Yisroel. Corrective action has been taken.

Brand: Biermann Product: Chocolate Marzipan Rum Balls Company: Multiflex Co., Inc. - Hawthorne, NJ Issue: This product is correctly marked as OU. The ingredient panel incorrectly lists dairy ingredients. Future packaging is being revised.

December 2, 2010 Certain packages of Del Monte cut fruit containing a yogurt dip mistakenly bear a cRc. Although the fruit is kosher, the yogurt is not. The product is being removed from circulation.

Wellness Pro produces nutritional shakes and supplements including Balanced Nutrition-Meal Replacement for Men and for Women and Block ’n Burn. These products are no longer Star-K or Star-D certified.

This is an advisory with respect to Brunswick (registered trademark) and Beach Cliff brand (registered trademark) sardines. We have received a number of consumer contacts noting the presence of "shrimp" in these sardines. We have discussed this with the manufacturer who has informed us that this is actually krill, a small shrimp-like crustacean, which is a common source of feed for sardines. Krill is normally digested prior to processing and should not be found in a finished product, even one which contains the stomach. This year, many factors (e.g., size of fish, warmer water temperatures, methods of fishing, etc.) combined to create a very unusual fishing year and an increase in sardines containing krill in their stomachs. The manufacturer emphatically confirms this issue is not one of quality, species substitution or adulteration of any sort: rather an unexpected and previously unforeseen occurrence, which now requires our attention. In response to the issues faced this year and concerns voiced by the OU, the manufacturer is implementing new fish inspection processes to ensure that future productions of Brunswick sardines do not contain whole krill. Also, the OU label will be removed from the Beach Cliff brand so that fish that may contain whole krill can continue to be utilized and sold to consumers without dietary restrictions. The manufacturer is offering coupons for replacement product to consumers who purchased Brunswickor Beach Cliff sardines containing krill with the following Best By dates: Brunswick Oil Products with Best By codes between June 2015 and November 2015. Brunswick Water and Sauce Packs with Best By codes between June 2013 and November 2013. Beach Cliff Products with any Best By code starting June 2013 and thereafter that bears an OU code on the label To receive your coupons, simply send your name, address and description of product to Brunswick Refund, P.O. Box 23220, San Diego, CA 92193. We would ask that you consider donating any existing product to canned food drives serving families without dietary restrictions.

Brand: James Farm & Newland Product: Broccoli, Cauliflower & Spinach Company: RD Enterprises, College Point - NY & Zhejiang Zhongda Newland Co.- Zhejiang, China Issue: These products bear an OU but cannot be guaranteed to be free of infestation. These products may be used if inspected or pureed prior to use. The OU is being removed from future packaging.

Brand: Pearl River Bridge Product: Oyster Flavored Sauce Company: GUANGDONG PRB Bio- Tech Co.- China Issue: Some Pearl River Bridge brand Oyster Flavored Sauce may mistakenly have an OU. This error was caught early on and the OU was removed from the label. Consumers spotting this product with an OU should please call the OU at 212-613-8344.

Brand: Brunswick Product: Sardines in Oil Company: Bumble Bee SeaFoods, L.P. - Richmond, BC Issue: Several consumers reported finding krill (a small crustacean similar in appearance to a small shrimp) in some cans of Brunswick Sardines in Oil. The product code of the cans in question is 0215CB Best by Aug 2015. Consumers are advised to contact the Orthodox Union to report such findings, and to contact Bumble Bee Seafoods for a refund.

Brand: Lundberg Family Farms Product: Cinnamon Toast Organic Rice Cakes Company: Lundberg Family Farms - Richvale, CA Issue: This certified product contains dairy ingredients as listed on the ingredient panel but the dairy designation has been inadvertently omitted. Packaging has been revised.