K A S H R U T . C O M_©

The following kashrus alert is from the Orthodox Rabbinical Council Of San Francisco on May 5, 2008.

Please be advised that it has come to our attention that produce from PREMIUM FRESH FARMS OF SALINAS, CA is being sold under an obsolete kosher certification which has been altered to make it appear as current. Certification for that facility was discontinued two years ago by the Orthodox Rabbinical Council of San Francisco for cause and the certificate was nullified. Any kashruth certificate signifying our approval of their products is false and misleading.

The following health alert is from the FDA on February 7, 2008.

New Era Canning Company of New Era, Michigan is recalling all cans of vegetable products in #10 cans (large cans containing between 6 and 7 pounds) on the list at FDAbecause they may have been processed under conditions which could have led to contamination by Clostridium botulinum bacterium spores. While the UPC on the can label may be helpful in determining whether the product might be under recall, customers will need to also examine the lot code information on the can end to determine whether the can is subject to recall, as some distributors may purchase these products from more than one supplier. The UPC and lot code information has been included on the product list for each product under recall to make the identification of any recalled products easier.
I have listed the ones as kosher by the Chabad House of Westen Michigan.

• Fancy all green asparagus cuts & tips (asparagus, water, salt) in 6 lb. 5 oz. cans, reorder no. 229601 (UPC 9390122960). All lot codes beginning with "00249" are included.
• Italian cut green beans (Italian green beans, water, salt) in 6 lb. 9 oz. cans, reorder no. 769878 (UPC 9390176987). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "ITAL" are included.
• Fancy Mexican style chili beans (soaked red beans, water, chili seasoning, salt, corn starch, tomato paste, sugar, calcium chloride) in 6 lb. 12 oz. cans, reorder no. 192015 (UPC 9390119201). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "CHILI" are included.
• Fancy cut wax beans 4 sieve (wax beans, water, salt) in 6 lb. 5 oz. cans, 118834 (UPC 9390111883). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "WAX" are included.
• Fancy black beans (black beans, water, salt) in 6 lb. 12 oz. cans, reorder no. 557714 (UPC 9390155771). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "BLACK" are included.

The following health alert is from the FDA on January 18, 2008.

New Era Canning Company of New Era, Michigan is recalling all cans of green beans and garbanzo beans in #10 cans (large cans containing between 6 and 7 pounds) because they may have been processed under conditions which could have led to contamination by Clostridium botulinum bacterium spores, which can cause life-threatening illness or death. The codes on the affected product begin with the numbers "00249," or the letters "GREEN" or "GARB". This recall does not include Italian Green Beans because that is a different product. (ed note: Garbonzo beans not certified as kosher.)

The following health alert is from the FDA on January 9, 2008.

New Era Canning Company of New Era, Michigan is announcing a new recall to include Mexican style chili beans, green beans, and dark red kidney beans that were shipped to food service and retail customers because a records review identified the possibility that a small number of cans from each lot may not have been adequately cooked. (ed note. The Mexican style chili beans are certified as kosher): This recall only affects a small number of cases from the products with the specific codes listed below: GFS brand Fancy Mexican Style Chili Beans in 6 lb. 12 oz. cans, GFS Reorder #192015, UPC 9390119201. The recall is limited to 43 cases of product with 6 cans per case of lot number 00249 5AJ6LC with a 4 digit time stamp number ranging from 2113 through 2235 printed on the end of the can after the lot number (For example: 00249 5AJ6LC 2113). Only product bearing time stamps of 2113 through 2235 are included in the recall. The canned Mexican style chili beans were distributed to Gordon Food Service foodservice customers in AK, IL, IN, KY, MI, MO, TN, VA and WI sold through GFS Marketplace stores in IL, IN, KY and MI.
. We have been alerted that some of our cans may be missing the can codes. Any cans of these products without a code should not be opened or used, and should be disposed of as outlined below.

The following health alert is from the FDA on December 21, 2007.

New Era Canning Company, New Era, Michigan is voluntarily recalling 171 cases/ 6 cans per case of 6 lbs. 5 oz. GFS Fancy Blue Lake Cut Green Beans, 4 Sieve, lot code 19H7FL , because they may be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium which can cause life-threatening illness or death from botulism. Consumers are warned not to use the product even if it does not look or smell spoiled. The canned green beans were distributed to foodservice customers in AL, AK, GA, IL, IN, KY, MS, MO, NC, TN, and VA and sold through GFS Marketplace stores in IN, KY, and TN. The canned green beans are packaged in 6 lbs. 5 oz. cans under the GFS brand (GFS reorder #118737; UPC 93901 11873) with lot code 19H7FL printed on the end of the can. No other reorder numbers or lots are included in this recall. Any food that may be contaminated should be disposed of carefully. Even tiny amounts of toxins ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the eye or a break in the skin can cause serious illness. Skin contact should be avoided as much as possible, and the hands should be washed immediately after handling the food. Customers should not be encouraged to return product to Gordon Food Service. Customers who have the product or any foods made with these products should throw them away immediately. Double bag the cans in plastic bags that are tightly closed then place in a trash receptacle for non-recyclable trash outside of the home. Restaurants and institutions are encouraged to assure that such products are only placed in locked receptacles which are not accessible to the public. Additional instructions for safe disposal can be found at www.cdc.gov/botulism/botulism_faq.htm. Customers with questions may contact New Era Canning at 1-800-282-9007 Ext. 111.

The following kashrus alert is from the OU on December 20, 2007.

Non Dairy Creamer, Gordon Food Service- Grand Rapids, MI: This product contains dairy ingredients as listed on the ingredient panel but the dairy designation has been inadvertently omitted. Consumers should be aware that “Non Dairy Creamers” may, and often do, contain dairy ingredients.

The following kashrus alert is from the OU on September 5, 2007.

Sysco House Recipe Buttermilk Ranch Salad Dressing Mix, Sysco Product Code: 4428298 or 5197694, Sysco Corporation- Houston, TX: This certified product contains dairy ingredients as listed on the ingredient panel but the dairy designation has been inadvertently omitted. Future packaging will be revised.

The following kashrus alert is from the Chicago Rabbinical Council on August 15, 2007 .

Effective immediately, the cRc does not certify any product being distributed by Acid Products of Chicago, IL, even when bearing the cRc on the label or when accompanied by a cRc letter of kosher certification. Acid Products distributes various industrial acids and other raw materials to the to the manufacturing industry.