Kosher Alerts

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.

Brands: Pillsbury Sweet Minis Products: 1. Mini Donuts (UPC #018000157815) 2. Brownie Bites (UPC #018000157822) 3. Chocolate Chip Cookies (UPC #018000157839) Company: General Mills Sales Inc.,- Minneapolis, MN Issue: These products were originally manufactured as OU certified. They are for use in individual cups at convenience stores. The integrity of the cup packaging may be compromised at the store level and the product should not be eaten as kosher certified. This previously released alert is being reissued for the benefit of the kosher public.

Tropicana Ruby Red Grapefruit Juice does NOT contain cochineal or carmine. A recent article in the media stating that Tropicana Ruby Red Grapefruit Juice contains cochineal and carmine is completely untrue. This is erroneous and malicious misinformation. Cochineal and carmine are not used in any of the Tropicana pure juice products that are certified by OK Kosher. They are only used in Tropicana cocktail mixes, which are not found in the refrigerator section. The cocktail mixes are not and have never been certified kosher.

Notice sent by The Scroll K/Vaad Hakashrus of Denver Products: Celestial Seasonings Teas - English Toffee & Decaf Vanilla Maple Issue: Were labeled incorrectly as pareve with the Star K hechsher. Products are actually certified by the Scroll K and are dairy (cholov stam).

Please note, it has come to our attention that GOLAN brand MOSCATTO (2008), produced under the supervision of Rabbi Shmuel Oerbach during the shmittah year under the auspices of the Otzer Bais Din, was inadvertently sold at Kosher Bite in Baltimore, MD. This wine is vested with kedushas sheviis and must be handled with special sanctity. See http://www.star-k.org/kashrus/kk-shmitta-5768.htm for more details about the proper handling of wines possessing kedushas sheviis. In general, when purchasing from any vendor, consumers are urged to check all Israeli wine labels to ascertain whether they were produced during a shmittah year. Star-K Certification 410-484-4100

Please be advised that Kettle Bagels and Bialys Produced by Bell Bagel are no longer Pas Yisroel. They continue to be certified Kosher, Pareve by OK Kosher Certification

Please be aware that Tropicana Brand Orange Juice with Omega 3 correctly bears an OK-Fish certification and should not be used together with meat or poultry. Consumers should always check each label before purchasing.

Kraft Foods has introduced a new product Crystal Light Hunger Satisfaction powdered beverage in Strawberry Banana flavor. This item is unique among Crystal Light varieties in that it contains whey, a milk protein, and is therefore dairy/cholov stam. It is certified OK-D, as stated on the package.

Brands: Hoody’s Products: Serve & Snack Party Tray Company: Harvest Manor Farms - Cedar Rapids, IA Issue: This product contains dairy ingredients as listed on the ingredient panel but the dairy designation has been inadvertently omitted. Future packaging will be revised.

Confiserie Leonidas, a fine Belgium chocolatier which also has a retail outlet on Madison Avenue in New York City, has mistakenly labeled some of their products omitting the Dairy designation. All of their kosher products are indeed cRc dairy, Cholov Stam.