Kosher Alerts

Please be advised that Kara Canned Coconut Milk manufactured by PT. Riau Sakti United Plantations Industry has been incorrectly labeled Kosher Pareve Passover. This product is Kosher Parve; NOT for Passover. Corrective measures are being taken. If you see this product on the market, please call us at 718-756-7500.

We have discovered that ingredients used in some Star-K certified Caljava Cake Decorations (Sweet Inspirations and Payless brands) were manufactured on dairy non-cholov Yisroel equipment. Corrective action is being taken.

Please be aware that Comet Cleanser is made in two different plants and that only **ONE** is under the supervision of the OU. Always be certain to look for the OU symbol on the product you purchase.

IT HAS COME TO OUR ATTENTION THAT PEPPERS ORIGINATING FROM ISRAEL ARE BEING SOLD IN THE MONTREAL AREA. PLEASE CONSULT YOUR RABBI PRIOR TO USING.

A small production of Giant Eagle and HEB brand Honey Sesame Cashews were labeled with a Star-K instead of a Star-D. Corrective measures have been taken. New labels correctly bear the Star-D. The product is dairy, non-Cholov Yisroel

Brands: Osem Meals-on-the-Go Products: Creamy Pasta Chicken Flavour UPC#: 0-77544-15580-0 Company: Osem Issue: Traces of dairy ingredients have been found in this product and it is being withdrawn from the marketplace. The product is halachically pareve.

Over the last two weeks, there have been widespread reports of insect infestation in raisins. A few kashrus organizations in the USA have disallowed the usage and consumption of raisins in their certified products and for their constituents. The Kashruth Council COR has conducted its own research and subsequently consulted with its Poskim (Halachic Authorities). The Kashruth Council’s decision is to continue to allow the usage and consumption of raisins without further checking for worms or other insects. This opinion concurs with the opinion of many kashrus organizations across Canada and the USA, including the Orthodox Union (OU). Please note that research into the matter is ongoing and further updates will be provided for any new developments. One should always be careful to store raisins in cool, dry and clean environments so as to avoid any potential infestation. For more information about raisins, please contact Rabbi Tsvi Heber at 416.635.9550 ext. 365.

We sincerely apologize for the miscommunication. There is no problem with the Chicken soup powder. The only problem is with the "Mana Chama" instant noodle soups. Thank you to all those who for their corrections. – Thursday, February 05, 2009

February 4, 2009 AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH REGARDING RAISIN INFESTATION AND ONGOING DISCUSSIONS WITH LEADING EXPERTS IN THE FIELD OF KASHRUS, IT HAS BEEN DECIDED THAT AT THE PRESENT TIME RAISINS MAY BE USED. WE WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE SITUATION AND ADVISE THE CONSUMER REGARDING ANY CHANGES. PLEASE POST AND/OR DISTRIBUTE THIS NOTICE.

Products: Raisins Issue: The OU has long maintained that raisins packed and stored under normal industry conditions do not pose a halachic infestation concern and may be consumed without further checking on the part of the consumer. Recent public reporting of widespread infestation in packaged raisins has led the OU to reexamine its prior held position vis-Ã -vis raisins. Following careful investigation, extensive testing and consultation with our Halachic authorities, the OU upholds its original position that raisins, when stored under normal conditions (cool, dry and clean environments) do not require checking for the presence of worms or insects. Many food items, when packed or stored in warm, moist or unclean environments should be avoided until fully checked for the presence of insects, particularly when exhibiting telltale signs of infestation (webbing, insect feeding damage).

KOSHER REQUIREMENTS FOR DRIED FRUIT & NUTS: SHVAT 5769 – JANUARY 2009 • APPLES – Must bear a reliable Hechsher • APRICOTS – DOMESTIC – No Hechsher required. • APRICOTS – TURKISH – No Hechsher required. Must be checked for infestation. • BANANA CHIPS – Must bear a reliable Hechsher. • BLACKBERRIES – Must bear a reliable Hechsher. Must be checked for infestation. • BLUEBERRIES - Must bear a reliable Hechsher. Must be checked for infestation. • 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 have 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 • RAISINS – Not to be used at this time. • RASPBERRIES – Must bear a reliable Hechsher. Must be checked for infestation. • STRAWBERRIES - Must bear a reliable Hechsher. Must be checked for infestation. • 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 – do not require a Hechsher. • 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.

*This alert has been updated on Feb. 4 to say: AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH REGARDING RAISIN INFESTATION AND ONGOING DISCUSSIONS WITH LEADING EXPERTS IN THE FIELD OF KASHRUS, IT HAS BEEN DECIDED THAT AT THE PRESENT TIME RAISINS MAY BE USED. WE WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE SITUATION AND ADVISE THE CONSUMER REGARDING ANY CHANGES. Original Alerts: DUE TO RECENT FINDINGS OF INSECT INFESTATION IN RAISINS, REGARDLESS OF THE BRAND, HASHGACHA, OR THE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN, RAISINS OR PRODUCTS CONTAINING RAISINS SHOULD NOT BE USED AT THE PRESENT TIME. THIS INCLUDES WHETHER THE RAISINS ARE TO BE EATEN PLAIN, COOKED OR BAKED. PRODUCTS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN COOKED OR BAKED WITH RAISINS MAY BE USED. THIS INCLUDES ITEMS BEARING MK CERTIFICATION. WE WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE SITUATION AND ADVISE THE CONSUMER REGARDING ANY CHANGES.