K A S H R U T . C O M_©

Updated Information on DRIED FRUIT & NUTS on Kashrut.com is here.

February 1, 20230 from Hakhel:

• REMINDERS FOR TU B’SHVAT SHOPPERS: The following question and answer is excerpted from the English Sefer Shulchan HaLevi; Halachic Responsa of HaRav Yisroel Belsky, Z’tl:

  Q: Many stores sell nuts and dried fruits from large sacks and bins, or repackage them without supervision. May the consumer assume these items are kosher, or should one insist on buying only sealed containers that carry kosher certification?

  A: Nuts and dried fruit have always been sold from large sacks. To say that one should never buy these items when sold this way would be an unnecessary restriction, and for many of these products there are no issues at all. On the other hand, any processing or cooking raises potential kashrus issues.

  Hakhel Note: Among the items that Rabbi Belsky writes require a reliable Hechsher are dried apples, dried pineapples and other dried tropical fruits, banana chips and of course, any nuts roasted in oil. One should certainly consult with his Rav before Tu B’Shvat on the items he intends to purchase, as well as any necessary Bedikas Tolaim that must be done on these items or fruits of the Shivas Minim. We additionally note that supermarkets and fruit/nut/candy stores without a hashgacha may themselves re-package these items and claim that they come from a larger container with a reliable hashgacha. Let the buyer beware!

• From the Star-K: Tu B'Shvat 5783: This year, TU B'SHVAT (15 Shvat) will occur on Sun. Night Feb. 5-Mon. Feb. 6. Please refer to the STAR-K Checking Fruits chart below for guidance and chart of shmitta dates:

January 13, 2022 from the CDC.

Listeria in Enoki Mushrooms

Enoki mushrooms are white and have long, thin stems. They are often sold in a bunch with roots in sealed plastic packaging. They are popular in Japanese, Chinese, and Korean food, and they are almost always eaten cooked in soups, hot pots, and stir-fried dishes.

Recalled and Contaminated Food

• Enoki mushrooms distributed by Utopia Foods
  • Sold in plastic packaging that is clear on the top half and blue on the bottom “
  • UTOPIA” and “UTOPIA FOODS INC” on front of packaging
  • Bar code number 8928918610017
  • FDA found the outbreak strains of Listeria in an import sample of these enoki mushrooms.
• Enoki mushrooms produced by Shandong Youhe Biotechnology Co.
  • Sold in plastic packaging that is clear on the top half and brown on the bottom
  • “Enoki Mushrooms” on front of packaging; “Producer: Shandong Youhe Biotechnology Co., Ltd.” and “Distributed By: Sun Hong Foods, Inc” on back of packaging
  • Maryland Department of Health found the outbreak strains of Listeria in these enoki mushrooms.

FDA information is here.

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December 13, 2022 from the FDA.

Utopia Foods Inc of Glendale, NY, is recalling its 200g packages of “Enoki Mushrooms”, imported from China and distributed nationwide in the US, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The recalled “Enoki Mushrooms” were distributed nationwide in produce wholesale companies.

The product comes in a 200g, clear and blue plastic package with brand name “Utopia” and barcode# 8928918610017 marked on the packaging.

All Utopia branded Enoki Mushrooms imported from China and within expiry are effected by the recall. Consumers who have purchased the 200g packages of “Enoki Mushrooms” within expiry are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a refund.

Consumers with questions may contact the company at 718.389.8898 Monday-Friday EST 8AM-4PM.

January 27, 2023 from Star-K:

It has come to STAR-K's attention that there is a potential halachic issue with some Wolf cooktops that have the auto-ignite feature. 

When a burner is on, opening or closing a drawer or cabinet door near the cooktop might extinguish the burner flame, which will automatically reignite.

The manufacturer has informed us that this poses no safety concern, as the flame comes back right away. However, this does present a halachic concern for Shabbos and Yom Tov.

STAR-K advises consumers to conduct the following test on a weekday:

• Observe the cooktop under normal cooking conditions while opening and closing drawers and cabinet doors in the vicinity of the cooktop.
• Verify that the burner remains on without interruption.

f testing indicates that opening or shutting a particular door or drawer does cause the burner to extinguish and reignite, that drawer should not be opened or closed on Shabbos and Yom Tov when the burner is on. It is recommended that these doors or drawers be taped down before Shabbos and Yom Tov if the burner will be left on.

January 25, 2022 from the FDA:

Snack Innovations Inc. of Piscataway, NJ is issuing a voluntary recall on several batches of Drizzilicious branded mini rice cake bites, and drizzled popcorn products with the lot numbers listed below due to an undeclared peanut residue.

The Drizzilicious products listed below were distributed nationwide through retail stores, and online ecommerce sites like Amazon.

Product size	Flavor Lot Code		Best by	UPC
Drizzilicious mini rice cake bites 4oz and/or .74oz Bags	Birthday Cake	N3-11BHNV3552	21SEP2023	4oz - 857900005402 .74oz - 857900005419
Drizzilicious mini rice cake bites 4oz and/or .74oz Bags	Birthday Cake	N3-11BHNV3462	12SEP2023
Drizzilicious mini rice cake bites 4oz and/or .74oz Bags	Birthday Cake	N3-21BHNV0093	09OCT2023
Drizzilicious drizzled Popcorn 3.6oz Bags	Birthday Cake Popcorn	N3-11BHNV3322	28JUL2023	857900005525
Drizzilicious mini rice cake bites 4oz and/or .74oz Bags	Cinnamon Swirl	N3-11BHNV3562	22SEP2023	4oz - 857900005167 .74oz - 857900005181
Drizzilicious mini rice cake bites 4oz and/or .74oz Bags	Cinnamon Swirl	N4-11BHNV0163	16OCT2023
Drizzilicious mini rice cake bites 4oz and/or .74oz Bags	Cinnamon Swirl	N3-11BHNV0053	05OCT2023
Drizzilicious mini rice cake bites 4oz and/or .74oz Bags	Cookies & Cream	N4-11BHNV0183	18OCT2023	4oz -857900005167 .74oz - 857900005181
Drizzilicious mini rice cake bites 4oz and/or .74oz Bags	Cookies & Cream	N3-11BHNV0093	09OCT2023
Drizzilicious mini rice cake bites 4oz and/or .74oz Bags	Salted Caramel	N3-11BHNV0083	08OCT2023	4oz - 857900005167 .74oz - 857900005181
Drizzilicious mini rice cakes 32-ct Variety box	Variety (3-Flavors)	N4-11BHNV3562	9/22/2023	853762002993
Drizzilicious mini rice cakes 32-ct Variety box	Variety (3-Flavors)	N4-21BHNV3532	9/19/2023

The products are packaged in Drizzilicious branded pillow bags and/or stand-up zip pouches and must have one of the lot codes listed above printed on the back of the bag.

Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-888-445-5122 or visit our website at https://www.drizzilicious.com/recall/food-safety

Israeli Allergy Alert: Loacker Best of Moments Wafers

January 20, 2023 from the efoodalert.com:

Allergy Alert (Israel): Lim Company Ltd. recalls Loacker Best of Moments Wafers (300g; Sell by 8/2023) due to undeclared peanuts, barley (gluten), almonds and sesame.