Notes
2022-2-1 KosherGram PDF POMEGRANATES FROM ISRAEL are being sold in the U.S., and require taking of Terumos and Maaseros. (They are not Shemitah produce at this time, and will not be until July 2022.) Check the sticker or original case for the country of origin. – We have reason to believe that the pomegranates currently being sold at Westborn Market in Berkley, that do not list any country of origin on their stickers, are from Israel. GREENFIELD NOODLE CO. has exhausted its stock of Yoshon flour, and is now using Chodosh flour. Chodosh product will not state “Yoshon” next to the expiration date. LAFFY TAFFY LAFF BITES: Although most Laffy Taffy candies are OU certified, Laffy Taffy Laff Bites contain gelatin and are not OU certified, and do not bear an OU symbol. A Candy Favorites website that lists them as Kosher is incorrect. ONLINE SHOPPING REMINDER: When shopping online for grocery delivery or curbside pickup, be sure to check the actual label on each item when the order is received. This is essential because many online descriptions or pictures give inaccurate or outdated information regarding the product’s Kosher status. In addition, the store may substitute non-Kosher or non-approved products if the requested item is not available. One recent example: Member’s Mark California Almonds Roasted with Sea Salt (oil roasted) from Sam’s Club is still pictured online with an OU symbol, but the actual product currently does not bear an OU. THE FOLLOWING PRODUCTS BEAR AN UNAUTHORIZED KOSHER SYMBOL: PS SEASONING ROASTED GARLIC CREAMY POTATO SOUP MIX bears an unauthorized KSW symbol [Kosher Supervisors of Wisconsin / Wisconsin Kosher] and contains a non-Kosher ingredient. SPIRITLESS KENTUCKY 74 – The OU does not certify Spiritless Kentucky 74 beverages or any products made by Spiritless. Some of their marketing materials bear an unauthorized OU symbol. BLACKBURN’S JELLIES – Notice from the cRc: Due to Kosher violations, Blackburn’s Grape Jelly and other jelly/jam products produced by T J Blackburn Syrup Works, Inc., Jefferson, TX, are no longer certified and are being recalled. Products with an expiration date of 3-25-23 and later should not be treated as Kosher even when bearing a cRc or Texas-K (a cRc subsidiary) Kosher symbol. VILLA CAPE WINES Villa Cape 2018 vintage wines which have the importer’s name on the label listed as “Israco International Food Brands Marketing Ltd” bear an unauthorized OK symbol. (The Villa Cape 2018 wines with an OK that do not list “Israco…” are certified.) Villa Cape 2021 vintage wines bear an unauthorized OK symbol – OK Kosher did not certify any productions in 2021. MISSING DAIRY DESIGNATION: The following Kosher certified products contain dairy ingredients, but are not labeled correctly as Dairy: COUNTRYSIDE CREAMERY “TASTES LIKE BUTTER!” VEGETABLE OIL SPREAD sold at Aldi mistakenly bears a plain OU symbol without the D on some containers. GREAT VALUE RICOTTA CHEESE sold at Walmart mistakenly bears a plain OU symbol without the D on some containers. WELLSLEY FARMS MINI CINNAMON ROLLS sold at BJ’s – Update from the OU: The correct status of this product is DE [dairy equipment]. The label mistakenly bears only a plain OU. BARLEY CHECKING REMINDER: There have been several reports recently of insects found in Gefen Pearl Barley. Many Kashrus agencies recommend that all barley (and in particular Yoshon brands) be checked prior to use. Following are two options for checking: Soaking Method: Place all the barley you wish to use in a white bowl, and fill the bowl with water, a few inches over the top of the barley. Allow to sit for 15-20 minutes. If insects are present, they will float to the top. If any do, repeat the process, and if no more are then found, the barley may be used. Plate Method: Place a small pile of barley – about two ounces at a time – on a white paper plate (not plastic, which creates a shine) with good overhead light that illuminates the plate. Use a finger or a fork to drag a small amount of barley away from the pile, spreading that barley in a single layer. Visually inspect the spread-apart barley, looking for webbing, black insects and white or tan worms between or under the kernels. Repeat this until the entire pile has been checked. Then do the same for the rest of the barley in the package. BROWN RICE CHECKING REMINDER from Star-K: There are reports in a number of cities that infestation is being found in brown rice. Star-K recommends checking brown rice for insects prior to use, as follows: Place the brown rice (no more than 16 oz. at a time) in a mesh strainer. Mesh size should ideally be #12 mesh or larger. Shake the brown rice over a lightbox or white paper for 25-30 seconds. Examine the surface of the lightbox or paper for any insect presence. If no insects are found, the brown rice may be used. If any insects are found, the brown rice should not be used. CASHEWS notice from OK: The OK Kosher Tolaim Committee has been finding insects and worms in cashews. Consumers should split them open and make a cursory inspection, especially when holes are visible.