Notes
2023-6-7 KosherGram PDF SUGAR SNAP PEAS and SNOW PEAS: Last year it was discovered that these are infested with thrips on the outside of the pods. Currently, there are various opinions among the Kashrus agencies regarding washed, unwashed and frozen types, with some not recommending their use, and others allowing them with certain washing procedures. Regarding unwashed types, at the very minimum the following procedure is required: Agitate the snap/snow peas in soapy water for 30 seconds. Let them soak in the soapy water for at least one minute. Rinse very thoroughly under a strong stream of water. THE FOLLOWING NEW SODAS are Kosher and pareve (no symbol required): MOUNTAIN DEW SUMMER FREEZE Limited Edition – regular and Zero Sugar PEPSI X PEEPS Marshmallow Flavored Pepsi – Limited Edition SUNKIST MANGO ORANGE SUNKIST WATERMELON LEMONADE THE FOLLOWING NEW SLURPEE SYRUPS are Kosher and pareve (no symbol required): FANTA DRAGON FRUIT ZERO SUGAR FCB FRUITWORKS LEMON CANDY FREEZE FCB [Note: The flavor cards posted on the Slurpee machines in front cannot be relied upon to determine the Kosher status of the Slurpee, because they often do not show the correct brand and variety of the syrup that is actually in the machine. The above information is for the benefit of Kashrus Supervisors and consumers who inspect, with permission of store management, the labels on the 2.5 / 5 gal. bag-in-boxes of syrups in the back of the store, which feed the Slurpee machines.] HARD MOUNTAIN DEW ZERO SUGAR MALT BEVERAGE in several flavors is Kosher when bearing the Star-K symbol. JACK DANIEL’S TENNESSEE WHISKEY “MIXED WITH COCA-COLA” RTD [pre-mixed ready to drink in cans], regular and Zero Sugar, is certified OU pareve (even without OU symbol). However, Jack Daniels Whiskey products with “Cola”, without the “Coca-Cola” brand name (such as Whiskey & Cola, or Black Jack Cola), are not certified. SNAPPLE ELEMENTS “FIRE” DRAGON FRUIT JUICE DRINK contains grape juice. It is not Kosher certified and does not bear an OK. Only those Snapple drinks that bear the OK symbol are Kosher. (Also check for their pareve / dairy status. A plain OK symbol indicates pareve; OK-D = dairy; OK-DE = dairy equipment.) MARSHMALLOW FLUFF mfg. by Durkee-Mower, Inc. does not bear an OU symbol on some 16 oz. containers due to a printing error, but is still Kosher and pareve. GERBER GOOD START “GENTLE SOY” INFANT FORMULA POWDER, Stage 1 and Stage 2, are certified Kosher and pareve when bearing the OU symbol. The “DE” next to the OU on some labels is a printing error; the product is pareve. [See also Recalls below.] MILANO BAKERY BREAD and ROLLS, K-COR certified, are no longer Pas Yisroel. BETTER MADE CORN POPS are no longer made by a Kosher manufacturer, and no longer bear an OU. RED GOLD TOMATO KETCHUP in 1 oz. “DUNK” [dipping] CUPS, a Foodservice item, is not OU certified and does not bear an OU. Only Red Gold products that bear the OU symbol are OU certified. BERKLEY COFFEE on 11 Mile Rd. is a non-Kosher establishment. No products can be considered Kosher unless they are in their original sealed packaging bearing a reliable certification. Bagels come unsealed from multiple sources and are not acceptable. PEREG BASMATI BROWN RICE, all lot codes, has been recalled due to insect infestation in the rice shell, and cannot easily be checked or cleaned by the consumer. SHAHIA STUFFED VINE LEAVES, produced in Turkey and distributed by Lipari Foods /Tut’s International with a production code after 4/30/2020 (on the bottom of the can), bear an unauthorized Star-K symbol. NATURE BLESSED frozen SLICED STRAWBERRIES, distributed by Coloma Frozen Foods, Coloma, MI, bear an unauthorized cRc symbol. KRINOS brand MANOURI [Greek] CHEESE bears an unauthorized Kashrus symbol. FORRELLI GRAPE JELLY bears an unauthorized KVH symbol. This product is not Kosher. GLUTINO GLUTEN FREE OVEN BAKED BARS in Apple Cinnamon, Blueberry Acai and Strawberry flavors bearing a Scroll K symbol mistakenly contain a non-Kosher filling in some packages. Details are at https://scrollk.org/alerts/glutino-products-with-non-kosher-filling/ . SALENTO ORGANICS CHOCOLATE PRODUCTS bear an unauthorized Kosher Check symbol. From Kashrut.com: FAKE KOSHER SYMBOLS designed to appear like Kosher symbols are being offered by fraudulent companies, many in Asia and particularly in India, that sell “certification” services but have no Rabbinical certification associated with them. One should not rely on a new symbol without verifying that it is from a reliable Kashrus agency. See many examples at https://www.kashrut.com/Alerts/?find=faux . RECALLS in recent months (with sources for details and further information) GOLD MEDAL UNBLEACHED ALL PURPOSE FLOUR (5 lb. and 10 lb.) and GOLD MEDAL BLEACHED ALL PURPOSE FLOUR (2 lb. and 5 lb.) with Better if Used by Dates 27MAR2024 and 28MAR2024 – potential Salmonella Infantis. 800-230-8103 / https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/general-mills-recalls-four-gold-medal-unbleached-and-bleached-all-purpose-flour-varieties-dated FROZEN ORGANIC STRAWBERRIES – Potential Hepatitis A Virus contamination. Various brands, including in Michigan: Simply Nature [Aldi], and Made-With [Meijer Woodward Corner Market]. https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-hepatitis-virus-infections-frozen-strawberries-february-2023 TRADER JOE’S ORGANIC TROPICAL FRUIT BLEND – Potential Hepatitis A Virus contamination. 626-599-3817 / https://www.traderjoes.com/home/announcements?category=recalls&id=175203194 TRADER JOE’S INSTANT COLD BREW COFFEE with Exp. date codes 6/13/2024, 11/26/2024 and 12/30/2024 – possible glass in product. https://www.traderjoes.com/home/announcements?category=recalls&id=547485915 / 626-599-3817. GERBER GOOD START “SOOTHEPRO” MILK BASED INFANT FORMULA POWDER – potential Cronobacter sakazakii bacteria. [Note: This formula is not Kosher certified, but may be Halachically permitted upon consultation with a Rav.] 800-777-7690 / https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/perrigo-announces-voluntary-recall-limited-quantity-gerberr-good-startr-sootheprotm-powdered-infant MIGHTY SESAME ORGANIC TAHINI 10.9 oz. squeeze bottle with Exp. date 9/25/23 – potential Salmonella contamination. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/rushdi-foods-issues-voluntary-recall-one-lot-their-mighty-sesame-organic-tahini-109-oz-squeeze-0 / 718-369-4600. LAY’S CLASSIC PARTY SIZE POTATO CHIPS (13 oz.) and LAY’S CLASSIC MIX AND MATCH POTATO CHIPS (15 5/8 oz.) – may contain dairy sour cream and onion potato chips. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/frito-lay-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-milk-lays-classic-potato-chips-distributed-connecticut / 800-352-4477.