K A S H R U T . C O M_©

December 17, 2019 from Rabbi Wagshal. Letter is here

Hashgacha Termination: Due to serious Kashrus violations, we are terminating he Hashgacha of all produce tomatoes, grape tomatoespeppers, etc.) sold under the following brands:

• Rainbow Fresh - Natural Farms
  Distributed by: Kosher Salad Produce Inc.

One should not use any produce of the above brands, due to the strong possibility that they originate from Israel and are "tevel" (Terumot and Maasrot were not tithed.)

Insect Infestation Alert - Quinoa

December 16, 2019 from the OU:

Kosher Advisory White Quinoa: Some brands of white quinoa were recently found to contain booklice. The Orthodox Union is looking into this matter. Accordingly, white quinoa should not be used without a thorough inspection. The method of checking that has been found to be effective is to pour the quinoa into a thirty mesh sifter and agitate for 30 seconds over a white surface. If any booklice are found on the white surface, the quinoa should be discarded.

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December 13, 2019 from the Scroll K:

There has been an alarming number of cases where quinoa was found to be infested. The infestation seems due to improper storage at some stage in packing or storing. We therefore recommend the following:

1. Quinoa that is at least a year before its expiration (or ‘best by’) date does not require checking.
2. If it is less than one year before the expiration (or ‘best by’) date, the quinoa should be checked for insects. Place the raw quinoa in a strainer, shake for 25 seconds over a white paper or light box, and examine the surface for insects. See here for a visual demonstration.

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December 4, 2019 from the New Square:

Our experienced Mashgichim recently checked various brands of Quinoa that are currently available in the stores and found a substantial amount (miut Hamutzi) that were infested with various types of insects including mites, which according to Halucha there is a Chiuv Bedika.
Since the bedikah is complicated for the average person, it is therefore suggested using only with a reliable hashgucha that certifies that it was checked and found clean at the time of packaging, and packaged in a way that it will remain insect‐free (e.g. vacuum packed).
p.s. it’s advisable to store in freezer immediately after opening the vacuum bag.

December 11, 2019 from the OU:

General Mills Cinnamon Toast Crunch - Club 2-pack, General Mills, is missing D Dairy designation:
The sleeve on the 2 pack, only bears a plain OU symbol. Each individual box, correctly bears a OU D Dairy designation. The product at this time does not contain actual dairy, but is produced on dairy equipment.

Kashrus Alert - Sprouts Frozen Vegetables

December 9, 2019 from the OK:

Sprouts Sprouts Farmers Market, Phoenix, AZ 85054 has an unauthorized Use of OK Kosher Symbol:
The following products are being sold at Sprouts Farmers Market locations bearing an unauthorized OK symbol:

• Sprouts Cut Leaf Spinach
• Sprouts Cut Corn
• Sprouts Broccoli Cuts
• Sprouts California Blend
• Sprouts Brussels Sprouts
• Sprouts Mixed Vegetables

These products are NOT certified by OK Kosher Certification.
Corrective actions are being taken

December 9, 2019 from the cRc:

In November 2015, Today's Temptations' cRc certification was terminated due to kashrus violations. Currently, there are Today's Temptation display racks that still bear the cRc symbol. An example was found at Prisco's Family Market in Aurora, IL. Today's Temptation products are not certified kosher. Corrective action is being taken.

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Kashrus alert on Today’s Temptations, Biondillo’s, Papa Filin and Z Best

February 23, 2016 - From the cRc: Please be aware that certain packages of products under the following brands bear an unauthorized cRc logo.

• Today’s Temptations – Including but not Limited to Bread Crumbs
• Biondillo’s
• Papa Filin
• Z Best

The cRc does not presently certify any products under any of the companies listed above. Corrective actions are being taken.

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The following revised kashrus alert is from the cRc on December 1, 2015.

Effective immediately, all items from Today’s Temptations, Biondillo`s Baking Company, Papa Filin and Z Best are no longer certified by the Chicago Rabbinical Council (cRc), due to kashrus violations.