Kashrut.com - Kosher Food Alerts and Mislabeled Products

McKee Foods Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Pecans in Little Debbie® Mini Nutty Buddy Cookie Bites Sandwich Cookies

September 10, 2021 from FDA:

McKee Foods of Collegedale, Tenn., is recalling 25 cases of Little Debbie® Mini Nutty Buddy Cookie Bites Sandwich Cookies, because they may contain undeclared pecans. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to pecans run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products. This recall does not impact Little Debbie® Nutty Buddy® Wafer Bars or any other Little Debbie products.

Little Debbie® Mini Nutty Buddy Mini Cookie Bites Sandwich Cookies are sold in individual bags with a product weight of 2.5 oz. The only products covered by this recall have best-by dates of Dec. 24 and Dec. 25, 2021 as shown below: The covered Little Debbie® Mini Nutty Buddy Cookie Bites Sandwich Cookies were distributed through retail stores in the following locations:

States	Cities
Kentucky	Jackson, Columbia, Somerset and surrounding areas
North Carolina	High Point, Greensboro, Asheville, Clemmons and surrounding areas
Tennessee	Sweetwater, Jackson, Piney Flats, Lebanon, Powell Crossroad, Knoxville, Maryville, Clarksville, Morristown, Crossville, Nashville, Collegedale and surrounding areas

The recall was initiated after it was discovered that product containing pecans was included in packaging that did not reveal the presence of tree nuts. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the production processes of the contract manufacturer that makes and packages the product for McKee Foods.

Consumers who have purchased these Little Debbie® Mini Nutty Buddy Cookie Bites Sandwich Cookies from the geographic areas listed above may contact the company at 1-800-422-4499 with the package code information for refunds, Mon.-Thurs., 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m., and Fri., 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. ET.

The previous item can be cited with the URL: https://www.kashrut.com/Alerts/?alert=A7768

Kosher Alert Kroger Kickin' Buffalo Dipper + Spread

September 9, 2021 from the OU:

Kroger Kickin' Buffalo Dipper + Spread, The Kroger Company, Cincinnati OH has an unauthorized OU:
The Orthodox Union does not certify Kroger Kickin' Buffalo Dipper + Spread. Some labels bear an unauthorized OU symbol. Corrective actions are being implemented.

The previous item can be cited with the URL: https://www.kashrut.com/Alerts/?alert=A7767

Corrected Yoshon Information- GOLD MEDAL ALL PURPOSE FLOUR and BREAD FLOUR with “KC”

September 5, 2021 from the OU:

GOLD MEDAL ALL PURPOSE FLOUR and BREAD FLOUR with “KC” in code, may be viewed as yoshon with a use by date of February 9, 2023 or before. The packing date is August 9. (A use by date for Gold Medal Flour is 18 months after the packing date.)

The previous item can be cited with the URL: https://www.kashrut.com/Alerts/?alert=A7762

Insect Infestation Alert - O’Goody’s Dates Pitted 9 oz. from ESKD

September 6, 2021: From the Scroll-K :

Anyone who purchased O’Goody’s Dates Pitted 9 oz. from the East Side Kosher Deli, Denver, CO should not use this product, as it has been found to be infested. The product should be discarded or returned to the East Side Kosher Deli for a full refund. ESKD apologizes for any inconvenience.

The previous item can be cited with the URL: https://www.kashrut.com/Alerts/?alert=A7765

Kashrut Alert - Starbuck’s Refreshers

September 5, 2021: From the AKC :

Starbuck’s Refreshers contains non-kosher grape juice and is not kosher.

The previous item can be cited with the URL: https://www.kashrut.com/Alerts/?alert=A7764

Atlanta Kashrus Information

September 5, 2021: From the AKC :

Pas Yisroel in Atlanta, GA

Pas Yisroel: Pas Yisroel (The halacha of bread products that are not only kosher, but a Jewish person participated in the baking) is an area of Jewish law that some follow year-round, some only on Shabbos, and some follow these requirements only on the 10 days of teshuva starting with Rosh Hashanah.
Local Caterers all use both Pas Yisroel and Non-Pas Yisroel products. If not marked, check with the caterer’s mashgiach.
Local Bakeries (Kroger Toco Hills Bakery, Kroger Sandy Spring Bakery, and Publix Toco Hills Bakery). Products baked in these facilities are Pas Yisroel and are usually marked. Sometimes special orders or an occasional product is not marked, and one should check with in-store mashgiach. These bakeries also carry fully baked kosher products that are not baked in-store are not Pas Yisroel.
Ali’s cookies products are not Pas Yisroel unless marked.
Restaurants: Toco Grill, Chai Peking, and The Spicey Peach (not Spicey Peach Catering) are currently all Pas Yisroel. All other facilities use both Pas Yisroel and Non-Pas Yisroel.
Fuego Mundo Yucca Bread is not considered bread and Pas Yisroel does not apply. One does not wash or bentsch for Yucca Bread.
Most local wraps are not Pas Yisroel
Most local pita comes from Classic Pita and is Pas Yisroel
The Kroger Deli subs are Pas Yisroel, but wraps and sandwiches are not Pas Yisroel

Additional Kashrus Information for the Atlanta Area

EB Catering is now operating out of the AJA Kitchens (5200 Northland Dr, Atlanta, GA 30342) which are AKC certified. (347) 988-4279.
Cinnaholic Edgewood: The following two drinks are currently not AKC approved:
- Black Mountain Natural Foods Sunshine Lemonades
- Shi Lachef
- Beverages that are not approved are kept in a separate section marked non approved.
- Fresh Berries are also not approved.

The previous item can be cited with the URL: https://www.kashrut.com/Alerts/?alert=A7763

Kashrut Alert - GEFEN dried GARBANZO BEANS (CHICK PEAS)

September 3, 2021 from the COR Detroit:

GEFEN dried GARBANZO BEANS (CHICK PEAS) in 16 oz. bags has been found to have a serious infestation problem in many bags, and is not recommended at this time.

Ed. note (1) (from the COR Detroit: These products were seen at Lakewood and Monsey.
From the OU (2)2: The infested products are no longer in the stores.

The previous item can be cited with the URL: https://www.kashrut.com/Alerts/?alert=A7761

Frito-Lay Issues Limited Voluntary Recall on Undeclared Milk in Wavy Lay’s Original Potato Chips Distributed in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia

August 11, 2021 from FDA:

Frito-Lay today issued a voluntary recall of a limited number – 31 bags – of 7 3/4 oz. Wavy Lay’s Original Potato Chips as they may contain undeclared milk ingredients. The recall is the result of an investigation following a consumer contact.

The products were distributed to certain retail stores in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, and consumers would have been able to purchase them as early as July 23, 2021.

No other Lay’s products, flavors, sizes or variety packs are recalled.

Consumers with the product described below can contact Frito-Lay Consumer Relations at 1-800-352-4477 (9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. CST, Monday-Friday).

Product Description	Size	UPC	Code Date & Manufacturing Code	Representative Image
Wavy Lay’s Original Potato Chips	7 3/4 oz. (219.7 grams)	0 28400 04380 9	Either (1) or (2)	See image above
			(1) Must have both “Guaranteed Fresh” date of 02 Nov 2021 And the Manufacturing Code 1712 17944 85 21:30
			(2) Must have both “Guaranteed Fresh” date of 19 Oct 2021 And the Manufacturing Code 1713 20044 18 03:37

September 3, 2021 From the COR Detroit: LAY’S WAVY ORIGINAL POTATO CHIPS bearing an OU mistakenly contains Sour Cream & Onion potato chips [not OU certified, and dairy] in a small number of 73⁄4 oz. bags.

The previous item can be cited with the URL: https://www.kashrut.com/Alerts/?alert=A7727

Rosh Hashanah Information

August 31, 2021 Information from the Star-K:

At this time of year, when many of us are enjoying fresh figs and dates as well as leeks and black eyed peas, STAR-K reminds you to check these items properly.

DATES*: Open a few dates in each container and visually inspect. If no insects can be seen, the rest may be eaten without further checking.
FIGS*: Open each one and check carefully for infestation (typically wasps, beetles or worms). <
* Checking instructions for dates and figs apply even if they have a hechsher, due to the possibility of improper storage.
LEEKS: Examine the outside for any leaf miner trails. Check in between the leaves for thrips or other insects.

Star-K Rosh HaShana Checking Guide is here

September 2, 2021 Information from the cRc Twitter Feed:

Plain dates (dried or fresh - domestic, pitted etc.) don't need to be kosher-certified, but they do need to be checked for bugs. Slice open a handful from the container & check inside. If no insects are found, the rest may be eaten without checking.

August 25, 2021 Information from the COR- Detroit:

HONEY:
- 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 or should be strained by the consumer.
- “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 produced from flower nectar). These are not considered Kosher according to some opinions, and should 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.
FISH HEADS:
- The frozen Rainbow Trout fish heads now being sold at Superior Kosher Meats are completely fresh water raised, 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 (small 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 put in a pot with an ample amount of water (about 3 times the volume of the peas), bring them to a boil, then turn off the flame and allow the peas 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 "ey"" 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.]

The previous item can be cited with the URL: https://www.kashrut.com/Alerts/?alert=A7750

Kashrut Information LUDEN’S & CVS THROAT / COUGH DROPS

August 24, 2021 - from the OU in response to a question from the editor:

The CVS and the Luden's cough drops are labeled OUD, but in fact, their true status, at the present time, is DE (Dairy Equipment).

What does DE mean? Parve products made with heat on dairy equipment may be eaten after meat, but not with meat.
Some kashrus agencies use a DE symbol, but the OU has chosen not to use a DE designation because it is felt it may be confusing to the kosher consumer. Also, to be a true DE product, the equipment must be properly cleaned of residue after dairy production, and that level of cleanliness is sometimes difficult to maintain and guarantee.

Please note that it is possible that the manufacturer will reformulate this product and add a true dairy ingredient. You will not be able to know this, since the OUD kosher symbol will remain the same. We recommend that you call our office every 3 months to reconfirm the DE status of this product.

Kashrut Advisory - LUDEN’S and many STORE BRANDS of THROAT / COUGH DROPS

December 30, 2019 - From the COR Detroit:
LUDEN’S and many STORE BRANDS of THROAT / COUGH DROPS (e.g., CVS, Rite Aid, Kroger, Meijer, etc.) were in the past produced on dairy equipment and stated OU-D on the label. The manufacturing process has changed, and now they are being produced on dedicated pareve equipment and are fully pareve. New labels therefore bear a plain OU. Stores may have a mixture of OU and OU-D labeled product; check each package for its correct status.

From the OU: Luden, CVS Rite Aid and Meijer may now be available with an OU; At the moment Kroger is still OU-D.

The following kashrus notice was received from Chicago Rabbinical Council on on January 2, 2004 and confirmed by the OU.

Ludens Cough Drops with an O.U.D are not dairy but are Dairy Equipment.

The previous item can be cited with the URL: https://www.kashrut.com/Alerts/?alert=A1115

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