Kashrus Be In The Know!

51

Pas Yisroel (Part 2)

May 20, 2021

10:47

What systems do hechsheirim use to make products pas yisroel? Do bars with oats need to be pas yisroel? Do bread crumbs need to be pas yisroel?

52

Pas Yisroel (Part 1)

May 20, 2021

16:45

Can a not-yet-religious Jew  qualify to make a product Pas Yisroel? What are the requirements  that give a product the status of Pas? Do ice cream cones, crackers and breakfast cereals need to be Pas Yisroel? What does a Jew need to do to make a product Pas Yisroel? Do part baked products need to be purchased as Pas Yisroel?

53

Our Veggie Bug Buddies (Part 7)

May 20, 2021

14:31

Can a child check lettuce? Can my non-Jewish maid check lettuce? Can I wash and check lettuce on Shabbos?

54

Our Veggie Bug Buddies (Part 6)

May 20, 2021

13:11

Can one place bug infested herbs in a filter bag to cook in a soup or stew? Can honey have bug issues? Does Nori Seaweed need to be checked? Accompanying information is available here

55

Our Veggie Bug Buddies (Part 5)

May 20, 2021

20:26

Are there bugs in my tap water? Can Orange Juice be infested with bugs? Does one need to check beans, flour, rice etc.? Are there any bugs that are permissible to be eaten? Accompanying information is available here

56

Our Veggie Bug Buddies (Part 4)

May 20, 2021

21:34

Is there a list of produce that cannot be properly checked and shouldn’t be used? Does triple washed lettuce need to be checked? Can one use frozen brocoli or cauliflower without a Reliable Hashgacha? Do dried herbs need Reliable Hashgacha due to bug issues? Do I need to check fruits or vegetables that will be puréed? Follow up: YOUR questions answered. Is pre-washed iceberg ok to use without checking? Does brocoli slaw need to be checked? Does pre-washed cabbage need checking? I thought brocoli was black listed, why are many Reliable Hashgachos saying it’s fine to use these days (after properly checking)? If something is greenhouse grown or hydroponic grown, is there a need to check such produce? Accompanying information is available here

57

Our Veggie Bug Buddies (Part 3)

May 20, 2021

20:40

Does a salt or vinegar base wash work to remove bugs? What does Shamata method mean and does it have any advantage? Can I just check a few leaves from a batch of lettuce and consider the rest fine? Accompanying information is available here

58

Our Veggie Bug Buddies (Part 2)

May 20, 2021

12:54

Do I need to know what I’m looking for in my produce, or will it be obvious when I see a bug? Does different produce have different types of infestation? What color are the bugs I’m looking for? Accompanying information is available here

59

Our Veggie Bug Buddies (Part 1)

May 20, 2021

16:54

Why does it seem that lately there is a bigger bug issue with produce? Can one wash their produce with salt and vinegar to remove bugs? Will it be obvious when I see a bug, or do I need to look very meticulously? Is checking my produce an extra stringency, a rabbinical obligation, or a biblical obligation? Accompanying information is available here

60

Navigating the World of Hechsheirim

May 20, 2021

12:11

What are the structural differences between International Hechsheirim and Chassidishe Hechsheirim? Do Chassidishe Hechsherim rely on International Hechsherim? If a frum yid is responsible for a hechsher, is the fact that I respect him a good enough reason to rely on the hechsher?

61

Kemach Yoshon (Part 2)

May 20, 2021

10:03

What are practical ways in which Kemach Yoshon (old flour) is certified? What does "Winter Crop Wheat" and "Spring Crop Wheat" refer to? How does that apply to Kemach Yoshon? If one is being careful with the laws of Yoshon, is it true that soy sauce, soy milk, beer, and whiskey could present an issue? Are there some products more likely to be Yoshon certified than others? Why? Regarding hechsheirim that certify Kemach Yoshon; if the flour is stored for an extensive period of time, does that present a problem of worm infestation?

62

Kemach Yoshon (Part 1)

May 20, 2021

8:24

What is the mitzvah behind Kemach Yoshon (Old Flour)? What are the different opinions about Kemach Yoshon in areas outside of Eretz Yisroel? Is there a difference in this with regards to non Jewish owned fields?

63

A Knowledgeable Consumer is a Better Consumer

May 20, 2021

5:57

Which types of foods are less complex, Kashrus-wise? Why is the Kashrus of the food service industry (Restaurants, Caterers, Butchers) more complex? Are french fries purchased in a Milchig or Fleishig restaurant considered Pareve?

64

Candy Concerns

May 20, 2021

15:00

Is it true that my candy can be coated with bug secretion? What’s the source of the innocent sounding ingredient ‘confectioners glaze’ found in Mike & Ikes, Jelly Bellies, Dubble Bubble’s Gum-balls and other popular candies? Can red food coloring really come from crushed bugs? Accompanying information is available here

65

Consumer FAQs

May 20, 2021

10:30

Can I drink plain coffee or tea in any coffee shop? What can be wrong with canned products? What's the kosher status of cream of tartar? What does it mean when a product says grape flavor? When do I know when there's actual grape inside? Is there an issue with grapeseed oil? Do spices need a hechsher?

66

Do Vitamins Need a Hechsher

May 20, 2021

9:27

Could it be there are ingredients from non kosher animals in vitamins? What are vitamins made up of? What is the difference between vitamins in gel caps, veggie caps, and liquid form? Halachically, what is the difference between vitamins taken for medicinal purposes vs. vitamins for elective purposes?

67

Ensuring Kosher Food is Properly Sealed

May 20, 2021

7:38

When getting a delivery, which foods need a proper kosher seal, and why? What are foods/drinks that need a double seal? What do I need to know when l have non Jewish help in the kitchen?

68

Kashering Back to Basics

May 20, 2021

13:29

Which materials are able to be Kashered? Which materials are not able to be Kashered? What are the different methods of Kashering, and in what situations do they apply? Accompanying information is available here

69

Keeping Kosher in a Limited Kitchen

May 20, 2021

7:08

How do I navigate cooking with only one stovetop? Can I use the same oven for both fleishig and milchig foods? Can I Kasher my dishwasher? How do I wash dishes with only one sink?

70

Bishul Yisroel (Part 3)

May 20, 2021

8:08

Regarding Bishul Yisroel, what are the differences between Halacha, Chumrah, and Minhag? An agency tells me that a specific product does not need to be Bishul Yisroel. Is there still room to be mehader, and require Bishul Yisroel for this product? How do I go about setting my own standards?

71

Bishul Yisroel (Part 2)

May 20, 2021

8:18

How much Jewish participation is needed to make a product Bishul Yisroel? Do potato chips and corn chips need to be Bishul Yisroel? Do canned foods need to be Bishul Yisroel?

72

Bishul Yisroel (Part 1)

May 20, 2021

4:59

Halachically, what can a non-Jew cook for me? What does halacha define as cooking? If a non-Jew cooked pasta or eggs in my utensils, does that make my pots/pans non-Kosher?

73

Harmful Foods (Part 7)

May 19, 2021

11:33

Part 6 is Here Can one eat food that was left under a bed? Are there certain periods of time when water is dangerous to drink from? Can one eat food that was brought into a bathroom? Part 7 Can one drink water that remained in a closed metal urn overnight? Can one drink sink water that was in metal pipes overnight? Can one drink soda that was in a metal soda can? Can one drink water that remained uncovered overnight? Does one need to spill out some of their drink before drinking it? Can one drink the froth from soda or beer?

74

Harmful Foods (Part 5)

May 19, 2021

11:55

Can I eat food from a restaurant or catering that has non-frum workers handling the food? Can I handle a bottle of milk prior to washing negel vasser? Is there any way to "clean" a food that was touched by someone who didn't wash negel vasser? Accompanying information is available here

75

Harmful Foods (Part 4)

May 18, 2021

19:54

Can I cook my fish with butter? Can I eat lox and cream cheese together? Can I drink chocolate milk while eating a tuna sandwich? Can I eat a tuna melt? Accompanying information is available here

76

Harmful Foods (Part 3)

May 18, 2021

16:22

Fishy Situations Part B Can one use the same dishes and cutlery for meat and fish? Can one use the same pots and pans for meat and fish? Is there any way to cook meat and fish together in the same oven? Can one use a BBQ grill with both meat and fish? Are there other practical questions and answers that I should know about? Accompanying information is available here

77

Harmful Foods (Part 2)

May 18, 2021

24:39

Fishy Situations Part A Is it a medical or spiritual danger to eat fish and meat together? Is fish batel b'shishim (nullified 1 in 60) if it fell into a meat dish? Can I roast marshmallows (which contain fish gelatin) on skewers that had hot dogs on them? Do I need to wash my hands between eating fish and meat? Accompanying information is available here

78

Harmful Foods (Part 1)

May 18, 2021

21:39

How can I keep peeled onions, garlic or eggs overnight without them becoming harmful to eat? Can I buy fully peeled garlic cloves from a store? Are scallions considered onions for this matter? Are frozen garlic cubes ok to use? Accompanying information is available here

79

Fish Facts (Part 6)

May 17, 2021

10:49

Fish By Products Does the fish gelatin found in candies and marshmallows need a Mashgiach Temidi? Do the anchovies found in Worcestershire sauce require Hashgacha Temidis? Can I eat a Caesar salad at any restaurant with a Reliable Hashgacha? What can be wrong with kosher fish oil capsules? Accompanying information is available here

80

Fish Facts (Part 5)

May 17, 2021

11:30

Worms in Fish Do I need to check lox for worms? Can I eat any herring? Can I eat the worms in my salmon? Accompanying information is available here

81

Fish Facts (Part 4)

May 16, 2021

13:47

Cross Contamination Can I buy a salmon fillet from a non kosher fish store? Can I buy a frozen skin-on fillet of fish without a hechsher? Do I need to worry about cross contamination with treif, when buying fish without hashgacha? Accompanying information is available here

82

Fish Facts (Part 3)

May 16, 2021

18:33

Other Forms of ID Can Salmon's unique color be a siman that it's kosher? Does a skin-on fillet of fish have any siman it is kosher besides scales? Can a fish be identified as kosher just by recognition of the eye, without finding scales? Accompanying information is available here

83

Fish Facts (Part 2)

May 16, 2021

15:10

Scaleless = Proof-less What does Mashgiach Temidi mean? Can I buy canned tuna with an OU? Can I buy any Tilapia fillets? Can I buy herring with an OU? Accompanying information is available here

84

Fish Facts (Part 1)

May 16, 2021

9:25

Identifying a Kosher Fish Is any fish with fins and scales kosher? Can I buy a fish that clearly has fins and scales? Can I rely on a kosher fish list? accompanying information available here

85

Cholov Yisroel (Part 4)

May 16, 2021

6:09

Is powdered milk different from fluid milk with regards to Cholov Yisroel? Could it be that milk is considered Cholov Yisroel by using a video camera? Regarding a cow that has been operated on, does this pose a halachik concern to its milk?

86

Cholov Yisroel (Part 3)

May 15, 2021

10:31

How is cheese made, and what involvement is needed in order to make it Kosher? Which cheeses are considered a "6 hour cheese"? Is there a difference according to halacha regarding cheese made by a Jew VS. milk, milked by a Jew?

87

Cholov Yisrael (Part 2)

May 15, 2021

10:45

What does "Made on Dairy Equipment" mean? Are products with D.E. considered parve? Is butter different than fluid milk with regards to the laws of Cholov Yisroel? Do homeopathic remedies have a concern of containing non Cholov Yisroel ingredients? Do I need to wait 6 hours after meat in order to take a pill that has dairy in it?

88

Cholov Yisroel (Part 1)

May 14, 2021

10:49

What is the source of keeping Cholov Yisroel? What is the difference between Cholov Aku"m and Cholov Stam? Is avoiding Cholov Aku"m due to a chumra/ hiddur/ minhag, or is it an actual prohibition? Did Reb Moshe’s psak make Cholov Aku"m permissible to all?