K A S H R U T . C O M_©

The following kashrus alert is from the Star-K on September 13, 2010..
It has recently been discovered that Red Cabbage can be infested with insects. As a result, the Star-K has upgraded its Red Cabbage inspection procedures from a simple thorough wash to the same procedure used for other leafy vegetables. See Star-k.org/cons-vegdetail.php?ID=15 for details. Packaged Red Cabbage that is kosher certified as insect-free remains acceptable.

The following kashrus alert is from the Chicago Rabbincal Council, on August 25, 2010.
Recently it has been discovered that red/purple cabbage may be infested with small white bugs. The insects might not be noticed during a casual check of the cabbage, but if the leaves are removed from the head and checked carefully (before the leaves are washed), the bugs can easily be seen standing or crawling on the inside of the leaves.
The insects have been found in cabbage checked in New York, Baltimore, and Chicago, but the exact extent of the infestation or the reason for its sudden appearance is not yet understood.
We therefore recommend that until further notice one should only used red/purple cabbage in one of the following two ways:

• It is purchased pre-washed and pre-shredded (i.e. bagged cabbage).
• The leaves are removed from the head and each leaf is rinsed thoroughly under a stream of water.

To the best of our knowledge, green cabbage is not affected by this infestation. We will continue to monitor the issue and inform the public if the infestation ends and/or if there are alternative washing methods which are sufficient.