August 16, 2019 from the CRC:
The cRc has been conducting extensive research on the infestation of blueberries and has been finding a very high rate of infestation in non-organic Somerfield Farms blueberries. These blueberries are being sold at some of the local Chicago supermarkets and should be avoided at this time.
August 12, 2019 from the CRC:
While regular blueberries fresh must be rinsed well in water and a cursory inspection for maggots is needed, organic blueberries have been found to be very infested and the cRc recommends that they should be avoided altogether. U-pick farms are using less pesticides than commercially sold berries. Therefore, the cRc recommends that berries from a U-pick farm should be soaked and agitated vigorously in a solution of water with soap or veggie wash before use. Additionally one should cut open a handful of blueberries to check if there are any worms present.
August 16, 2019 from the FDA
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local partners, are investigating a multistate outbreak of Cyclospora illnesses linked to fresh basil exported by Siga Logistics de RL de CV located in Morelos, Mexico.
Siga Logistics de RL de CV recalled potentially affected basil on July 24, 2019.
Recommendations
August 15, 2019 from FDA:
AWERS, Inc. of Bellevue, WA is recalling Grained Salmon Caviar 95g (Sockeye Salmon Caviar) with “BEST BEFORE OCT 07 2020”, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium which can cause life-threatening illness or death. Consumers are warned not to use the product even if it does not look or smell spoiled.
Grained Salmon Caviar 95g was distributed in California, New York, Oregon, Washington and product may have further distributed to other states and Canada.
Product is packed in a metal tin with Cyrillic lettering. The tin is green, with red and white writing with an easy open pull lid. The “BEST BEFORE OCT 07 2020” is printed on the bottom on the tin (See attached photo).
Consumers must inform AWERS, Inc. if they possess any Grained Salmon Caviar 95g tins with “BEST BEORE OCT 07 2020”. Customer must ship remaining affected product back to the firm or destroy it with permission from AWERS, Inc. for a full refund.
AWERS, Inc. can be reached by phone at (425) 747-7866, Monday-Friday, 8 am - 6 pm PST, or by email at awersinc1@gmail.com.
August 14, 2019 from CFIA:
Kananaskistrade is recalling Grained Salmon Caviar from the marketplace because it may permit the growth of Clostridium botulinum. Consumers should not consume the recalled product described below.
| Brand Name | Common Name | Size | UPC | Code(s) on Product |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A (Cyrillic characters only) | Grained Salmon Caviar | 95 g | 8 85202 00044 3 | Best before OCT 07 2020 |
This recall was triggered by Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) test results. The CFIA is conducting a food safety investigation, which may lead to the recall of other products. If other high-risk products are recalled, the CFIA will notify the public through updated Food Recall Warnings. The CFIA is verifying that industry is removing recalled product from the marketplace.
August 13, 2019: From Matzav.com:
From HaRav Yisroel Pinchas Gornish, Rav Khal Chizuk Hadas:
"We would like to publicly thank Rav Yosef Wikler, editor-in-chief of the KASHRUS Magazine for all his help and for directing us to Rabbi Aaron Metzger, the New York State Kashrus inspector, who immediately took action and traveled on Wednesday, August 14, to investigate the 24-Hour Bistro restaurant located in World Resort Casino."
"In the course of the investigation, Rabbi Metzger has had the kashrus certificate removed and prohibited the casino from displaying any signs indicating that kosher food is served on the premises."
"All kosher signs in the casino have been removed and there is no kosher food served at the World Resort Casino."
August 13, 2019: From the Kashrus Magazine and Matzav.com:
Bistro 24/7 in Resort World Casino, Monticello, NY, a non-kosher restaurant, is posting an outdated kosher letter from Rabbi Yisroel P. Gornish which had been issued to a restaurant that has closed (La Cuisine, 1911 Avenue M, Brooklyn). The letter is dated 2017 (5777) and is expired. It has been placed near the food items. Many kosher observant people have been misled by this sign over the last year since the restaurant opened.
August 12, 2019 from One Kosher Mexico Instagram:
David Kosher Market deja de contar con supervisión One Kosher a partir de hoy.
David Kosher Market stops having One Kosher supervision as of today.
August 09, 2019 from the FDA
Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc. is voluntarily recalling a limited number of cases of baby spinach. The products being recalled are 6 oz Dole Baby Spinach bag, Lot code W20308A (UPC code 0-71430-00964-2), and 10 oz Dole Baby Spinach clamshell, Lot code W203010 (UPC code 0-71430-00016-8), both with Use-by dates of 08-05-2019, due to a possible health risk from Salmonella.
The lot code and Use-by date are located on the upper right corner of the bag or on the top label of the clamshell; the UPC code is located on the bottom left corner of the back of the bag or on the bottom label of the clamshell. The impacted products were distributed in IL, IN, KY, MI, NJ, NY, OH, TN, VA, and WI. This product is expired and should no longer be on retail shelves. Consumers are advised to check product they have in their homes and discard any product matching these lot and UPC codes and Use-by dates.
This precautionary Recall notification is being issued due to a sample of Baby Spinach which yielded a positive result for Salmonella in a random sample test conducted by the Department of Agriculture in Michigan.
No other Dole products are included in the recall. Only the specific Baby Spinach products listed, with the exact Lot codes, UPC codes and Use-by dates identified above, are included in the recall. Consumers who have any remaining product with these Lot codes, UPC codes and Use-by dates should not consume it, but rather discard it. Retailers and consumers with questions may call the Dole Consumer Center at 1-800-356-3111, which is open 24 hours a day.
Information from from Mrs. Rosskamm, The Guide to Chodosh, Hot Line 718-305-5133. Email: yherman20@gmail.com
August 13, 2019:
August 6, 2019:
July 31, 2019:
July 23, 2019: The oat harvest has begun. The wheat harvest is due to start shortly. Barley and Durum Wheat used in pasta are not far behind. While I do not have a cut off date yet, I am expecting to have one by next week.
From the COR Detroit: Those who want to purchase Yoshon items to store over the Chodosh season should do so now.
August 13, 2019 from the Vaad HaKashruth of Greater Kansas City:
A few months ago we submitted an alert regarding our client Boulevard Brewery, declaring that the beer products should be considered DE.
We have since researched this further together with experts in kashrut, and we have now determined that the beer is indeed halachically pareve.
March 19, 2019 from the Vaad HaKashruth of Greater Kansas City:
All beer manufactured by Boulevard Brewery should be assumed DE (produced on dairy equipment) even when these letters are not printed alongside the KCK.