Here’s the Buzz on Certifying Veggies as Insect-Free
Vegetables have forever been a basic staple of a person’s diet. Rich in fiber and vitamins, God’s gift to mankind is essential to maintaining one’s health. Unexpectedly, certain types of vegetables also provide a good source of protein. Vegetables rich in protein are those that provide a safe haven for insects, with the protein found in the insect itself. This trend has made the kosher certification of vegetables highly challenging. Insects are naturally found in the environment and in farm fields. However, kosher law strictly prohibits the consumption of insects.
Miss Roben’s Allergen-Friendly, Gluten-Free Baking Mixes
The Orthodox Union announced today that it has certified as both kosher pareve (containing neither meat nor dairy) and gluten-free Miss Roben’s baking mixes. Miss Roben’s is one of the first companies to be certified through OU Kosher’s relationship with the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO), a program of the Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG). Gluten-free diets are a medical necessity for individuals who cannot consume storage proteins found in grains such as wheat, rye and barley. Under the OU-GFCO ties, the OU’s nearly 500 field representatives all over the world, proficient as they are in modern food production techniques and chemical and biological processes, will conduct plant inspections and product reviews for GFCO as they are certifying products as kosher for the OU.
“Cow Water”
In the previous issue of The Daf HaKashrus, Rabbi Avraham Juravel alerted RFR’s to the serious Kashruth concerns involved with “cow water”. In the following article Rabbi Dovid Cohen discusses, in more depth, these Halachic issues.
Harry H. Beren Foundation Grant Provides Valuable Support to Orthodox Union’s Growing List of Kosher
The Orthodox Union’s ever-expanding list of programs of kosher education are beneficiaries of a grant from the Harry H. Beren Foundation of Lakewood, NJ., in memory of Mr. Harry H. Beren z”l.
Gluten-Intolerance, Celiac, and Allergies on Pesach
Pesach Kashrus professionals are familiar with the intricacies of ingredients and food production. Often, consumers who have health concerns contact kashrus agencies in order to obtain information about foods and ingredients. This is especially true when it comes to Pesach. Before Pesach, the consumer information lines at the major Kashrus agencies are constantly ringing. Many of these consumers ask question about Pesach and their health needs. This article will discuss some of the ways in which Pesach certified foods may impact on health issues. However, it is important to note that kashrus agencies and Rabbonim are not health specialists. Persons who need guidance with respect to health matters should obtain advice from qualified health specialists, not from kashrus agencies.
Infant Formula For Pesach
HaModia, March 29, 2006
Once, not long ago, executives of a global health-nutritional manufacturing company met with representatives of a kosher certifying agency. One of the topics the certifying agency was keen on raising was the Jewish community’s need for Passover certified infant formulas. Outside of Israel few, if any, infant formulas are produced and certified specifically for Passover. Would the health nutrition company, already certified kosher for its infant formulas year-round by the agency, be interested in producing a Passover certified product? After discussing the measures that would need to be taken to certify the product for Pesach, the executives were not willing to commit to the project. The economic incentive for producing a special Passover infant formula did not, apparently, justify the disruption in standard production nor the limitations on ingredients suppliers the manufacturer would have to accommodate.
Orthodox Union and Rabbinical Council of America Present Annual Pre-Passover Kashrut Seminar
The Orthodox Union and the Rabbinical Council of America presented their annual Pre-Passover Seminar for Rabbis this week, addressing a variety of issues that involve the laws of kashrut and holiday observance. The program was webcast and viewed by rabbis around the country and as far away as Germany. Rabbi Yoel Schonfeld was Program Coordinator.
OU Launches New Website, OUPASSOVER.COM, To Answer Passover Queries
To answer questions that frequently arise during the Passover season, when the dietary laws are different from the ones that govern the rest of the year, OU Kosher has launched a brand new website, http://www.oupassover.com.
The Great Matzah Controversy – Or, Should Matzah Be Made By Hand Or Machine?
Dating back to the time of Moses, the practice had always been to make matzah by hand. With the advent of the Industrial Revolution in the first half of the nineteenth century, however, things changed. In France, in 1838, Isaac Singer invented the first machine for baking matzah.
Tevilat Keilim
The Mitzvah of tevilas keilim is alluded to in Bamidbar 31:23 where Elazar HaKohen instructs the army returning from war with Midyan regarding the booty they have captured “Kol davar asher yavoh ba’aish ta’averu ba’aish v’taher”—All utensils that have been used to cook ma’achalos assuros must be purged of the flavor they have absorbed in the manner that they were used. V’taher—they are then made tahor through an added step of purification.