K A S H R U T . C O M_©

February 21, 2022 - from the London Beth Din Twitter:

PLEASE NOTE! The Wrecking Coast Gins listed on p.113 and Rums listed on p.118 are no longer KLBD certified and are not approved

The Royal Ice Cream Company, Inc. Expands Recall All Products Within Expiry Because of Possible Health Risk

February 11, 2022 from the FDA.

The Royal Ice Cream Company, Inc. of Manchester, CT is expanding its recall to include all products manufactured at the facility within expiry, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

All effected products will have the manufacturing plant number “CT121” or “CT#121”.

The effected brands manufactured at Royal Ice Cream Company, Inc in Manchester, CT with the above plant number are:

• Batch brand pints, all flavors
• Royal Ice Cream Brand half Gallons, pints, cakes, all specialties.
• Ronny Brook Ice cream all flavor pints & 3 gallon tubs
• New Orleans Ice cream all flavor pints & 2.5-gallon tubs
• Maple Valley Ice Cream all flavor pints
• Art Cream all pint Flavors
• Sweet Scoops Yogurt all pint Flavors
• Gelato Fiasco all pint Flavors
• Biggy Iggy’s Ice Cream Sandwiches
• Munson Chip Wich Ice Cream sandwiches
• Giffords Ice cream Sandwiches all flavors
• Chewy Louie Ice Cream Sandwiches
• Snow Wich Ice Cream Sandwich
• Newport Creamery – Crazy Vanilla, Van & Choc , Vanilla & Coffee HG – only
• Dough Wich- Conn. 4 oz Cookie Dough sandwich -in flavors of , Vanilla, Chocolate and French Vanilla
• Doris Italian Markets- Florida- Spumoni wedge, Spumoni Half Gallon, Tartufo, Cannoli, Spumoni pie Slices.

The recall is for all product that is within expiry.

The effected ice cream was distributed in retail stores in MA, CT, RI, VT, NY, LA, FL, TX, NH.

Products are packaged in pints, half gallons, Sandwiches, portion control slices.

The recall was initiated by Royal Ice Cream after FDA sampling revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes on processing equipment. The company is holding future product and testing before releasing distribution of the products as FDA and the company continue their investigation as to what caused the problem.

Consumers who have purchased any of the effected products are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 860-649-5358, Monday thru Friday 7:30 to 5:00. EST.

February 14, 2022 from the OU:

Hill Country Fare Blue Cheese, H.E.B., Monterey Mexico has an unauthorized OU The Orthodox Union does not certify Hill Country Fare Blue Cheese. Some packaging made for the Mexican market bears an unauthorized OU symbol. Corrective actions are being implemented.

Insect Infestation Alert - Barley, Brown Rice, Cashews

February 1, 2022 - From the COR Detroit:

• BARLEY CHECKING REMINDER: There have been several reports recently of insects found in Gefen Pearl Barley. Many Kashrus agencies recommend that all barley (and in particular Yoshon brands) be checked prior to use. Following are two options for checking:

  Soaking Method:

  1. Place all the barley you wish to use in a white bowl, and fill the bowl with water, a few inches over the top of the barley.
  2. Allow to sit for 15-20 minutes. If insects are present, they will float to the top. If any do, repeat the process, and if no more are then found, the barley may be used.

  Plate Method:

  1. Place a small pile of barley - about two ounces at a time - on a white paper plate (not plastic, which creates a shine) with good overhead light that illuminates the plate.
  2. Use a finger or a fork to drag a small amount of barley away from the pile, spreading that barley in a single layer. Visually inspect the spread-apart barley, looking for webbing, black insects and white or tan worms between or under the kernels.
  3. Repeat this until the entire pile has been checked. Then do the same for the rest of the barley in the package.
• BROWN RICE CHECKING REMINDER from Star-K: There are reports in a number of cities that infestation is being found in brown rice. Star-K recommends checking brown rice for insects prior to use, as follows:
  1. Place the brown rice (no more than 16 oz. at a time) in a mesh strainer. Mesh size should ideally be #12 mesh or larger.
  2. Shake the brown rice over a lightbox or white paper for 25-30 seconds.
  3. Examine the surface of the lightbox or paper for any insect presence. If no insects are found, the brown rice may be used. If any insects are found, the brown rice should not be used.
• CASHEWS notice from OK: The OK Kosher Tolaim Committee has been finding insects and worms in cashews. Consumers should split them open and make a cursory inspection, especially when holes are visible.

February 14, 2022 from the OU in respose to a question from the editor:

The Bowl and Basket frozen dessert is labeled OUD, but in fact, its true status, at the present time, is DE (Dairy Equipment).

What does DE mean? A DE product does not contain actual dairy ingredients, but it is manufactured with heat on dairy equipment. DE items may be eaten after meat, but not with meat at the same time.

Many products qualify to be DE but are labeled OUD because OUD is a less confusing symbol for 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 contact our office every few months to reconfirm the DE status of this product.