K A S H R U T . C O M_©

Honey – Kosher Policy

• cRc policy from Kosher Status by Product:
  • Honey, including raw: Requires kosher certification Packaging equipment for retail honey may be heated and may be used for non-kosher sauces
  • Honeycomb: Acceptable Without Certification Pure honeycomb does not need certification
• September 12, 2025 from the COR Detroit:
  • Standard honey goes through a filtering process, which removes the non-Kosher bee parts. Even “raw and unfiltered” honey is usually strained to remove the bee parts. However, some completely unprocessed honeys are neither filtered nor strained. If the label or the manufacturer states that the honey is not strained, or if bee parts are visible, that honey should be avoided.
  • “Forest honey”, “Honeydew honey”, and “Beechwood honey” (or honey named after other types of trees such as Pine, Fir, Oak, etc.), generally refer to honey produced by bees that have consumed the non-Kosher excretions of aphids and scale insects left on trees, as opposed to standard honey that is produced from flower nectar. These are not considered Kosher according to some opinions, and should be avoided. Melipona honey should also be avoided.
  • “Royal Jelly” is a bee product that, unlike regular honey, is an actual secretion of the bee. Some Poskim therefore rule that it is not included in the permitted category of “honey”, and it should be avoided.
  • Honeycomb should be checked [before Yom Tov] for bee parts or insects. Honeycomb made from factory produced synthetic wax may contain non-Kosher ingredients and should not be used without reliable certification.
• September 10, 1015Honey policy from the London Beth Din:
  • Due to an industry-wide honey shortage, companies are supplementing regular honey with Honeydew (also referred to as Forest Honey or Pine Honey). Whilst regular honey is produced by bees collecting nectar from flowers, Honeydew honey is made by bees collecting a sweet substance secreted by aphids (tiny insects that live on tree branches). The Kashrut status of such honey is subject to Halachic debate.
    Because of this concern, KLBD recommends that honey should only be purchased with a reliable hechsher.
    To check which Honeys are KLBD certified click here.

Kashrut.com has information on kashrus issues in honey and other sweeteners at www.kashrut.com/trade/sweetenerslist

September 16, 2025 from the FDA:

Sprout Organics has initiated a voluntary recall of one lot of Sprout Organics® Sweet Potato Apple and Spinach because it may contain elevated levels of lead.

The product, a 3.5-ounce pouch, was sold in Walgreens and some independent stores in the US South region with most sales occurring between September and December 2024. The product was not sold in any other large grocery chain besides Walgreens.

If consumers have product matching the following description in their possession, they should return it to their local store for a full refund. The lot code and expiration date are printed on the bottom strip on the back of the pouch (see photos attached).

Product Name	Purchased From	Lot Code	Expiration Date
Sprout Organics® Sweet Potato Apple and Spinach 3.5 oz pouch	Walgreens and independent stores in US South region	4212	10/29/2025

To learn about Sprout Organics comprehensive testing program of ingredients and products before distribution, please go to https://sproutorganics.com/pages/faq

Consumers with questions should contact the company at 510-833-6089 Monday through Friday 9 am to 5 pm Pacific Time or by email at Info@sproutorganics.com.

Updated September 15, 2025

• cRc Simonim Chart from is here
• Star-K Rosh Hashana Simonim Checking Guide is here
• September 12, 2025 Simanim Information from the COR Detroit:
  • FISH HEADS:
    • The Rainbow Trout fish heads now being sold at Superior Kosher Meats are completely fresh water raised in streams fed by artesian springs, and do not need to be checked for lice.
    • Rainbow Trout from Norway are heavily infested, and require thorough cleaning and checking [see below].
      The following is from New Square Kashrus Council:
    • White fish: White fish heads are free of infestation concern.
    • Salmon/Baby Salmon: Salmon heads [even farm raised] are commonly infested with salmon lice (brownish parasites ranging in size from approximately 1-3 cm).
      • The entire gills must be removed. (It may be easier to first cut the head in half before cleaning).
      • Rinse the head thoroughly with water while rubbing all surfaces of the head (inside and outside), including all cracks, crevices and folds, and under and around the tongue. Inspect the head to make sure it is clean.
      
      One who wants to avoid the checking process may just rinse the head and cook the head in a separate pot, take a small piece from the flesh of the head, and visually inspect it before eating to make sure there is no foreign object on it. 
    • Carp: Carp heads may be infested with very small transparent insects called Argulus that are very hard to detect. There is no known method to clean infested carp heads properly, and they should not be used unless checked by an expert.
  • BLACK EYED PEAS are often infested and require careful checking. The following is based on the Star-K procedure for checking dried, canned or frozen black eyed peas, and applies even if the product bears Kashrus certification. (Note: All canned peas and beans always require Kashrus certification, for general Kashrus concerns.)
    • Dried black eyed peas should first be boiled in water. After they have been fully cooked, turn off the flame and allow them to soak in the water for 2-3 hours.  The peas will swell and the peel will become translucent. Then check as below.
    • Canned or frozen black eyed peas may be checked straight out of the can/bag; there is no need to boil or soak.
    • To check (all types): Take the black eyed peas and inspect for holes or dark-colored stains, as this may indicate an insect beneath the thin peel.  If there is a dark spot on the peel, remove the thin skin and check if there is a cavity with a bug in it. (The black "eye" spot is not a sign of infestation.  Similarly, orange colored stains on the surface are not signs of infestation; only dark or black stains are of concern.)
    
    [Note: For those who prefer not to rely on checking, some Poskim advise that the Rosh Hashana simanim custom can be fulfilled without eating the item, by placing it on the table and looking at it.]

Kashrut.com posts information on Washing and Inspection of Fruits and Vegetable at www.kashrut.com/consumer/vegetables

7-Eleven Slurpee Information and New Soda Information

September 12, 2025: From the COR Detroit:

• THE FOLLOWING NEW SLURPEE SYRUPS [FCB] and FOUNTAIN DRINK are Kosher and pareve (no symbol required except where noted). The label on the syrup box in the back of the 7-Eleven store should be checked to verify the brand and flavor, unless that particular store has store level Kashrus certification of its Slurpee machine(s):
• NERDS STRAWBERRY FCB with HKA symbol
• POWERADE XTRA SOUR GRAPE SHOCKER FCB
• POWERADE GRAPE BLITZ Fountain Drink
• New MOUNTAIN DEW TROLLI ZERO SUGAR CHERRY-LEMON SODA Limited Edition is Kosher-pareve (no symbol required).

Kashrut Alert: ZWEET CANDIES/Galil Brands:

September 12, 2025 from the COR Detroit

Not all Zweet candies are Kosher. Some varieties, including Insanely Sour Belts in Strawberry and Rainbow flavors, Pumpkin candy, and possibly others, are not Kosher and bear no Kosher marking. Some varieties, including Gummies Vampire Teeth, are available in both Kosher and non-Kosher versions, and have been found mixed in the same bin in stores. Carefully check the back label of every package for the Kosher marking. As a further assurance, check the ink-jetted code on the package - the second line should begin with BDMC [= Beth Din Minchas Chinuch].

Kashrut Alert: Galil Zsweet Gummy Vanpire Teeth Candy

August 15, 2025:

Galil Zsweet Gummy Vanpire Teeth Candy comes kosher and non-kosher. They are being sold together in the same bin.
Consumers should check every label every time they shop.