K A S H R U T . C O M_©

August 20, 2025, re-confirmed July 8, 2026: from the OU

Skittles (various sizes and varieties), Mars Wrigley
Issue: Clarification of Skittles Kashrut Status At this point, some Skittles are certified kosher pareve even when not bearing the OU symbol - others are not. To determine if you have a certified product, please look at the ink-jetted codes printed on the package. 1. If the production code contains "YRV" in it, or it 2.Contains "WAC" and has a best-buy date of June 2026 or later then those products are certified kosher by the Orthodox Union. Eventually, the OU symbol will appear on the packaging.

From the OU, Skittles Pop'd are currently not certified as kosher.

July 5, 2026 from Food Safety News:

"Frozen blueberries sold at Publix grocery stores have been recalled because of contamination with E. coli O145:H28. Twelve people have fallen ill.

"On July 3, Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. the Chilean grower-packer that sells under the Comfrut brand announced the recall of its 10-ounce GreenWise Organic IQF (individually quick frozen) Blueberries after the product tested presumptively positive for E. coli O145:H28, a Shiga toxin–producing E. coli (STEC). The frozen berries were distributed exclusively to Publix stores across eight states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

"The recall covers a single lot – code 6040 01 -with a Best By date of Feb. 9, 2028. According to the company, the recall was prompted by reports of consumers who fell ill after eating the berries, and the notice states there have been 12 confirmed cases of stomach illnesses between May 11 and June 5, 2026 linked to E. coli O145:H28."

July 3, 2026 FDA alert is here.

Posted July 2, 2026

June 24, 2026 FDA recall information is here

May 4, 2026 – from the BusinessWire

Utz Quality Foods, LLC, a subsidiary of Utz Brands, Inc., is issuing a voluntary recall in the United States of certain limited varieties of Zapp’s® and Dirty® potato chips. This voluntary recall follows notification to Utz that a seasoning containing dry milk powder, sourced from California Dairies, Inc. and supplied by a third-party supplier, may contain the presence of Salmonella. The affected seasoning batches tested negative for Salmonella prior to use; however, out of an abundance of caution, Utz is recalling the limited varieties of Zapp’s and Dirty brand potato chips identified below.

This recall is limited exclusively to the limited products listed here, which are available at retail stores nationwide. No other products produced by Utz Quality Foods are included in this recall.

Consumers who have these products should not eat them and should discard any products they may have. For questions or refunds, consumers may contact the Utz Customer Care team email customerservice@utzsnacks.com or call 1-877-423-0149, Monday through Friday from 9:00 am – 6:00 pm Eastern Time. Retailers should check their inventories and shelves to confirm that none of the products are present or available for purchase by consumers. This voluntary recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the United States Food and Drug Administration.

FDA from May 4, 2026 is here.

Kosher South Africa June/July 2026 Newsletter

June 17, 2026 Alerts & Notices from Kosher South Africa:

• BEACON SWEETS REBRANDING: Many Beacon products have recently been rebranded under the Maynards name, including Sparkles, Fizzers, Jelly Tots, and Fizz Pops. The ingredients and manufacturing processes remain unchanged and are still kosher certified.
• PRONUTRO ORIGINAL FLAVOURED PROTEIN CEREAL 750G INCORRECT STATUS: Pronutro Original Flavoured Protein Cereal 750g bears the incorrect Parev logo but is in fact Dairy. Corrective action has been taken.
• RITEBRAND CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES INCORRECT STATUS: Ritebrand Chocolate Chip Cookies bears the incorrect Parev logo but is in fact Dairy. Corrective action has been taken.
• PURE LIFE GROUP UNAUTHORISED LOGO: Pu Buttr Chocolate products bear unauthorised kosher logos and are not kosher certified. Corrective action has been taken. re Life Group health products bear unauthorised BD logos and are not kosher certified. The company apologises for the error and corrective action has been taken.
• BUTTR CHOCOLATE UNAUTHORISED LOGO: Buttr Chocolate products bear unauthorised kosher logos and are not kosher certified. Corrective action has been taken.