K A S H R U T . C O M_©

The following Passover alert is from the OK on April 7, 2009.

Please be advised that Grand vin de Bordeaux from Chateau Gardut Haut-Cluzea Premieriers Cotes de Blaye may have an unauthorized OK-P sticker on the label. This wine is NOT kosher. At this time, it is only known to be distributed in Europe. Anyone who sees it should contact the OK office at 718-756-7500.

The following Passover health alert is from the FDA" on April 7, 2009.
The Illinois Nut & Candy Company, Skokie, IL is recalling all Pistachios and Passover Mixed nuts containing Pistachios as well as Passover Mixed Nut Bark containing pistachios. The nuts were supplied to them from Setton Farms which has issued a recall.
To date there have been no illnesses reported from any of the product which has been sold or consumed by customers of Illinois Nut & Candy. The product had been sold in the store and online at www.raisingthecandybar.com from March 19, 2009 until April 7th 2009.
As a cautionary measure we urge you to immediately return any such food items that you purchased from them for a complete refund. In no event should you consume any such product. If you should have any questions please contact David Levine at Illinois Nut & Candy www.raisingthecandybar.com.

The following Passover health alert is part of the alert from the FDA on April 3, 2009 and FDA2 on April 6, 2009.

Setton International Foods has recalled a number of pistachio product due to the possiblilty of salmomella contamiation. More information can be found at www.kashrut.com/Alerts/?alert=A2696
The products that have been recalled that are certified for Passover are listed below: 2715

• 2715 Setton Farms Dark Chocolate Pistachios (Passover) 15 lbs. PA39847-PA39892
• 288 Setton Farms Dark Chocolate Pistachios (Passover) 12X12 oz. 034325076723 T139847-T239891 1/2/10-3/18/10
• Setton Farms PISTACHIOS ROASTED & SALTED (PASSOVER) 16 oz. 034325010086
• PISTACHIOS JUMBO/MAMMOTH ROASTED & SALTED (PASSOVER) 25 lbs. BULK
• PISTACHIOS SUPER COL.ROASTED & SALTED (PASSOVER) 25 lbs. BULK
• PISTACHIOS SUPER COL.ROASTED & UNSALTED (PASSOVER) 25 lbs. BULK
• ) 25 lbs. BULK

Ed. note: This recall is ongoing and more products may be recalled.

The following Passover alert is from the UOS on April 7, 2009.
We have received queries from people who inadvertently used Telma soup cubes with the OU Hechsher but were not marked OU P. The non-Pesach product looks almost identical to the Pesach product. We have been in contact with the Rabbi who is responsible for the Kashrut of Unilever in Israel who says that it may contain actual Chometz (yeast extract) which is a flavour enhancer. Any products prepared with such cubes may not be eaten on Pesach. Vessels used before Pesach are unaffected.
Always check each and every item you buy to make sure it carries a Pesach Hechsher from a reliable Kashrut authority – even if you find it on the “Pesach” shelves of the supermarket.

The following Passover information is from the cRc, the Koshergram and the editor for Passover 2009.

Do not assume that when making a purchase at a non- kosher certified store that the products you are buying are free of chometz, or even kosher. Finding it in "the kosher aisle" is meaningless in these stores, as there is no guarantee that the store clerk did not place the product on the shelf in error. There is also no guarantee that another shopper did not place one of the items they intended to buy but changed their mind, in the kosher section after changing their mind. Many packages look alike. Please inspect each individual item that you are purchasing for a reliable kosher and/or kosher L’Pesach certification.

Some kosher brands with almost identical labels for Passover and non-Passover products are Telma soup mixes and cubes, Osem, Gefen, Haddar, Manischewitz, Empire and Aaron's.

ed. note: Many food producers, supermarkets, restaurants and caterers are advertising "Passover" products that ARE NOT KOSHER and are therefore not certified as kosher for Pasover. I received an email from Charles Chocolates advertising their Passover products that after investigation are not certified as kosher.

The following revised Passover notice is from KOAOA on March 16, 2007, March, 2008 and confirmed in discussion by various Kashrus agencies in March and April, 2009.

Quinoa seed (i.e. not flour, and not flakes) under the certification of Kosher Overseers is acceptable kfp without further checking (for those who use quinoa on Pesach, consult your Rabbi for your own practice). These products are sold under the brand names of Ancient Harvest and Trader Joe's.
ed. note: Quinoa must be in closed boxes.
ed .note: Quinoa from Arrowhead Mills (bearing the OK symbol) is produced a facility containing chometz including flour (dust).
ed. note: Eden quinoa is usable, must be checked.
ed. note: All quinoa must be rinsed before using to remove saponins, unless the package states othewise.
From the COR: Northern Quinoa Corp. Quinoa bearing a COR 541 is usable for Passover for people who eat Quinoa.

The following Passover information is from the cRc for Passover 2009.

Baby Food: Certain varieties of Healthy Times brand baby food are available for Pesach. The jars must bear an OU-P on the label.

Information on Beech Nut baby food for Passover from the OU can be found at oukosher.org/index.php/passover/article/9584.

List of formulas that are free of chometz is at oukosher.org/index.php/passover/article/5710.

The following Passover alert is from the kosherquest on March 22, 2009.

The difference between the two types of Ko-Sure Hot Chocolate Mixes. One - Instant Hot Cocoa Mix has the Star-Kp and is Kosher for Pesach. The other Kos-Sure Chocolate Mocha Mix (also under the Star-K) is NOT Kosher for Pesach.

The following Passover information is from the Star-K for Passover 2009.
All fresh packaged salads bearing the Star-K symbol are Kosher for Passover without any additional Passover symbol. Please note exception: Dole Very Veggie Salad Blend contains peas which are Kitniyos and may not be used on Passover.

The following Passover information is from the OU for Passover 2009.
Baby Carrots under the OU are fine to use for Passover without special Passover certification.

The following Passover information is from the cRc for Passover 2009.
Fresh Vegetables: All RAW products from E-Z Spuds, Evanston, IL, may be used for Pesach with the exception of their cole slaw which is a processed product and is not certified for Pesach.

The following Passover information regarding frozen fish is from the OU posted on March 18, 2009.

Frozen fish that contain any ingredient other than fish (except for water and salt) require special Passover certification. Fish that contains no other ingredient other than fish (except for salt and water) does not require special Passover certification.
Ed. note from a reader's question to the OU: The Kirkland Frozen Salmon (from Costco) with an OU is acceptable for use on Passover.
From the Kof-K: The following items are KOF-K Kosher for Passover even without special Passover designation: C Worthy Frozen Raw Salmon- only unseasoned Wholley Whiting Fish Fillets with skin Great Fish Company Frozen Whiting with Skin

The following Passover information regarding canned salmon is from the cRc.
Pillar Rock canned Salmon is accepted for Pesach use, even without the Pesach certification on the label. The Salmon in pouches is not recommended for Pesach.

The Kashrus Status of Raw Fish on Pesach by Rabbi Fishbane of the cRc.

The following Passover information is from the Kof-K for Passover 2009.

Pepsi products which are marked kosher for Passover say sugar and or corn syrup on the label. IN FACT THERE IS NO CORN SYRUP IN IN THE KOSHER FOR PASSOVER PRODUCTS. In addition, the only Pepsi products that are certified for Passover are those with the KOF-K-P or KP on the label or cap. Color coding is not an indication of Passover certification.

The following Passover alert is from the Star-Kon on March 19, 2009.

Please be aware that some matzohs being sold in the Passover sections of local BJ's and Giant stores are chometz and NOT Kosher for Passover. Consumers are always urged to check that boxes state "Passover Matzoh", even if the matzoh is located in Passover sections of stores. Non-Passover matzohs state “Chometz” and “Not For Passover” in small print on the box.