Kashrut.com - Kosher Food Alerts and Mislabeled Products

OU Kosher Alert Baker's Treat Apple Cinnamon; Pumpkin Spice Mini Muffins-reissued and revised

September 8, 2025 – from the OU

Baker's Treat Apple Cinnamon Mini Muffins; Pumpkin Spice Mini Muffins, Aldi Inc., Batavia IL is missing D - Dairy Designation.
The Orthodox Union certifies Aldi Apple Cinnamon Mini Muffins and Pumpkin Spice Mini Muffins as an OU D - Dairy product. This product contains dairy as indicated in the ingredients and allergens statements. Some packaging was printed with a plain OU mark, without the D - Dairy designation. Corrective actions are being implemented.

October 10, 2024 from the OU:

Baker's Treat Apple Cinnamon Mini Muffin and Pumpkin Spice Mini Muffin, Aldi Inc.- Batavia, IL:
Issue: The Orthodox Union certifies Apple Cinnamon Mini Muffin and Pumpkin Spice Mini Muffin OU D-Dairy products. The products contain dairy as indicated in the ingredients and allergens statements. Some packaging was printed with an OU Symbol, without the D-Dairy designation. Corrective actions are being implemented.

The previous item can be cited with the URL: https://www.kashrut.com/Alerts/?alert=A9022

Haifa Smoked Fish Recalls “Cold Smoked Salmon” and “Cold Smoked Seabass” Due to Possible Health Risk

September 17, 2025 from the FDA:

HAIFA SMOKED FISH OF JAMAICA NY is recalling “COLD SMOKED SALMON” 8 OZ., LOT # 219 and “COLD SMOKED SEABASS” 8 OZ., LOT # 212, because it may be contaminated with Listeria Monocytogenes.

Haifa “COLD SMOKED SALMON” 8 OZ., LOT # 219 and “COLD SMOKED SEABASS” 8 OZ., LOT # 212 were distributed nationwide through direct delivery to retails stores and distributors.
Haifa ”COLD SMOKED SALMON” 8 OZ., LOT # 219 and “COLD SMOKED SEABASS” 8 OZ., LOT # 212 are vacuum packaged on a paper board with flexible plastic.

The contamination was discovered after sampling by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Food Inspectors and subsequent analysis of Food Laboratory personnel revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in the Haifa” COLD SMOKED SALMON” 8 OZ., LOT # 219 and “COLD SMOKED SEABASS” 8 OZ., LOT # 212.

Consumers who have purchased Haifa “COLD SMOKED SALMON” 8 OZ., LOT # 219 and “COLD SMOKED SEABASS” 8 OZ., LOT # 212 are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 718-523-8899.

The previous item can be cited with the URL: https://www.kashrut.com/Alerts/?alert=A9777

Honey – Kosher Policy

cRc policy from Kosher Status by Product:
- Honey, including raw: Requires kosher certification Packaging equipment for retail honey may be heated and may be used for non-kosher sauces
- Honeycomb: Acceptable Without Certification Pure honeycomb does not need certification
September 12, 2025 from the COR Detroit:
- Standard honey goes through a filtering process, which removes the non-Kosher bee parts. Even “raw and unfiltered” honey is usually strained to remove the bee parts. However, some completely unprocessed honeys are neither filtered nor strained. If the label or the manufacturer states that the honey is not strained, or if bee parts are visible, that honey should be avoided.
- “Forest honey”, “Honeydew honey”, and “Beechwood honey” (or honey named after other types of trees such as Pine, Fir, Oak, etc.), generally refer to honey produced by bees that have consumed the non-Kosher excretions of aphids and scale insects left on trees, as opposed to standard honey that is produced from flower nectar. These are not considered Kosher according to some opinions, and should be avoided. Melipona honey should also be avoided.
- “Royal Jelly” is a bee product that, unlike regular honey, is an actual secretion of the bee. Some Poskim therefore rule that it is not included in the permitted category of “honey”, and it should be avoided.
- Honeycomb should be checked [before Yom Tov] for bee parts or insects. Honeycomb made from factory produced synthetic wax may contain non-Kosher ingredients and should not be used without reliable certification.
September 10, 1015Honey policy from the London Beth Din:
- Due to an industry-wide honey shortage, companies are supplementing regular honey with Honeydew (also referred to as Forest Honey or Pine Honey). Whilst regular honey is produced by bees collecting nectar from flowers, Honeydew honey is made by bees collecting a sweet substance secreted by aphids (tiny insects that live on tree branches). The Kashrut status of such honey is subject to Halachic debate.
  Because of this concern, KLBD recommends that honey should only be purchased with a reliable hechsher.
  To check which Honeys are KLBD certified click here.

Kashrut.com has information on kashrus issues in honey and other sweeteners at www.kashrut.com/trade/sweetenerslist

The previous item can be cited with the URL: https://www.kashrut.com/Alerts/?alert=A9774

Yoshon, Pas Yisroel Information 5786

Updated Sepember 17, 2025

OU Pas Yisroel List for 5786-2025 is here
KVH Certified Pas Yisroel List is here
The Star-K Yoshon Quick Reference Guide is here
Kof-K Pas Yisroel List is here
MK Yoshon Updates Establishments and Products
September 12, 2025 Pas Yisroel Information from the COR Detroit:
PAS YISROEL: The K-COR reminds consumers of the accepted custom to be stringent on Pas Yisroel during Aseres Yemei T’shuva. Please be advised that many K-COR certified establishments produce or sell some bread and cake products that are not Pas Yisroel. Ask the Mashgiach or call the K-COR office for details regarding specific establishments.
- The following establishments are totally Pas Yisroel, except where noted: BAKE STATION, DAKOTA BREAD COMPANY, ZEMAN’S, JERUSALEM PIZZA [except for wraps], PIZZA STOP, ESS IN [except for Keto Taco], PRIME 10, SOUL CAFÉ RESTAURANT, KAPLAN CAKES, SAY CHEESE, SUGAR & CRUST and YODELS ‘N MORE. At THE GROVE FRESH BAKERY dept., all items that are sold loose, or repackaged with a Grove label, are Pas Yisroel.
- KORDAS’ BREADS, ROLLS, AND BUNS from Metropolitan Baking Co. that bear the K-COR symbol are Pas Yisroel*. Note that Kordas’ Greek Style Pita Bread and Kordas’ English Muffins are not K-COR certified.
- MILANO BAKERY BREADS and ROLLS that bear the K-COR symbol are Pas Yisroel* except for Milano Bread Sticks which are not Pas Yisroel.
- SPECIALLY SELECTED brand SMALL BATCH SOURDOUGH LOAF, SMALL BATCH ITALIAN LOAF, ITALIAN BREAD and any other Specially Selected breads at Aldi that bear a Scroll K symbol are Pas Yisroel, and state “P.Y.” under the symbol in fine print. [Note that some Specially Selected breads with other symbols may not be Pas Yisroel, or may not have reliable certification. Some bear no certification at all.]
- TRADER JOE'S brand of CHOCOLATE BROOKLYN BABKA and HALF MOON COOKIES that bear OU Pareve are Pas Yisroel.
- TRADER JOE’S ORGANIC FRENCH ROLLS and TRADER JOE’S ORGANIC FRENCH BAGUETTE that bear MK certification [Montreal] are Pas Yisroel*.
- TRADER JOE'S CHALLAH - BRAIDED EGG BREAD with an Earth K symbol is Pas Yisroel, as stated on the label.
  NOTE: Trader Joe's Sprouted Wheat Sourdough Bread and Sprouted Wheat Multigrain Bread bearing a Star-K are not Pas Yisroel.]
- KRONOS PITA BREAD with a cRc symbol is Pas Yisroel*, as stated on the label, except for packages with lot codes 5160 and 5167 that are not Pas Yisroel due to an oven maintenance issue, despite the Pas Yisroel labeling.
- FOOD FOR LIFE EZEKIEL SPROUTED GRAIN BREADS with the Kof-K symbol are Pas Yisroel*. The Pocket Bread, however, is not Pas Yisroel.
- MATT’S BAKERY COOKIES that bear a plain OK symbol are “Pas Yisroel”*, as stated on the label. Those that bear OK-D or OK-DE are not Pas Yisroel.
  * per the “glow-bar method” [an electrical heating element turned on by the Mashgiach], which most Kashrus agencies consider Pas Yisroel. (The OU, however, does not accept this as Pas Yisroel, based on the psak of Rabbi Yisroel Belsky zt’l.)

Kashrut.com posts information on yoshon and pas yisroel year-round at www.kashrut.com/consumer/baked_goods

The previous item can be cited with the URL: https://www.kashrut.com/Alerts/?alert=A9775

Sprout Organics Voluntarily Recalls One Lot of Sweet Potato Apple and Spinach Due to Possible Health Risk

September 16, 2025 from the FDA:

Sprout Organics has initiated a voluntary recall of one lot of Sprout Organics® Sweet Potato Apple and Spinach because it may contain elevated levels of lead.

The product, a 3.5-ounce pouch, was sold in Walgreens and some independent stores in the US South region with most sales occurring between September and December 2024. The product was not sold in any other large grocery chain besides Walgreens.

If consumers have product matching the following description in their possession, they should return it to their local store for a full refund. The lot code and expiration date are printed on the bottom strip on the back of the pouch (see photos attached).

Product Name	Purchased From	Lot Code	Expiration Date
Sprout Organics® Sweet Potato Apple and Spinach 3.5 oz pouch	Walgreens and independent stores in US South region	4212	10/29/2025

To learn about Sprout Organics comprehensive testing program of ingredients and products before distribution, please go to https://sproutorganics.com/pages/faq

Consumers with questions should contact the company at 510-833-6089 Monday through Friday 9 am to 5 pm Pacific Time or by email at Info@sproutorganics.com.

The previous item can be cited with the URL: https://www.kashrut.com/Alerts/?alert=A9776

Kashrut Alert: Member’s Mark Ranch Dressing and Dip and Golden Crown Yellow Rice with Saffron

September 15, 2025 from the cRc:

Consumers are reminded to always check product labels to verify the kosher status, especially with online purchases. Below are two recent examples:

Member’s Mark Ranch Dressing and Dip is certified as cRc-Dairy. However, some online retailers, including Sam's Club and Amazon, mistakenly display the product with the cRc Pareve logo. Corrective action has been taken.
Golden Crown Yellow Rice with Saffron is being sold on various websites with images that contain the cRc logo. This product is not kosher. Corrective actions have been taken.

The previous item can be cited with the URL: https://www.kashrut.com/Alerts/?alert=A9772

Simonim Information 5786

Updated September 15, 2025

cRc Simonim Chart from is here
Star-K Rosh Hashana Simonim Checking Guide is here
September 12, 2025 Simanim Information from the COR Detroit:
- FISH HEADS:
  - The Rainbow Trout fish heads now being sold at Superior Kosher Meats are completely fresh water raised in streams fed by artesian springs, and do not need to be checked for lice.
  - Rainbow Trout from Norway are heavily infested, and require thorough cleaning and checking [see below].
    The following is from New Square Kashrus Council:
  - White fish: White fish heads are free of infestation concern.
  - Salmon/Baby Salmon: Salmon heads [even farm raised] are commonly infested with salmon lice (brownish parasites ranging in size from approximately 1-3 cm).
    - The entire gills must be removed. (It may be easier to first cut the head in half before cleaning).
    - Rinse the head thoroughly with water while rubbing all surfaces of the head (inside and outside), including all cracks, crevices and folds, and under and around the tongue. Inspect the head to make sure it is clean.
    One who wants to avoid the checking process may just rinse the head and cook the head in a separate pot, take a small piece from the flesh of the head, and visually inspect it before eating to make sure there is no foreign object on it.
  - Carp: Carp heads may be infested with very small transparent insects called Argulus that are very hard to detect. There is no known method to clean infested carp heads properly, and they should not be used unless checked by an expert.
- BLACK EYED PEAS are often infested and require careful checking. The following is based on the Star-K procedure for checking dried, canned or frozen black eyed peas, and applies even if the product bears Kashrus certification. (Note: All canned peas and beans always require Kashrus certification, for general Kashrus concerns.)
  - Dried black eyed peas should first be boiled in water. After they have been fully cooked, turn off the flame and allow them to soak in the water for 2-3 hours. The peas will swell and the peel will become translucent. Then check as below.
  - Canned or frozen black eyed peas may be checked straight out of the can/bag; there is no need to boil or soak.
  - To check (all types): Take the black eyed peas and inspect for holes or dark-colored stains, as this may indicate an insect beneath the thin peel. If there is a dark spot on the peel, remove the thin skin and check if there is a cavity with a bug in it. (The black "eye" spot is not a sign of infestation. Similarly, orange colored stains on the surface are not signs of infestation; only dark or black stains are of concern.)
  [Note: For those who prefer not to rely on checking, some Poskim advise that the Rosh Hashana simanim custom can be fulfilled without eating the item, by placing it on the table and looking at it.]

Kashrut.com posts information on Washing and Inspection of Fruits and Vegetable at www.kashrut.com/consumer/vegetables

The previous item can be cited with the URL: https://www.kashrut.com/Alerts/?alert=A9768

More Ground Cinnamon Products Added to FDA Public Health Alert Due to Presence of Elevated Levels of Lead

September 12, 2025 from the FDA:

he FDA is updating the alert below with an additional product, Jiva Organic ground cinnamon, that contains elevated levels of lead. The samples were collected at a retail establishment by the FDA. Exposure to this product may be unsafe. Please view the table and recommendations below for more details.

A list of the recalled cinnamon products is here

The previous item can be cited with the URL: https://www.kashrut.com/Alerts/?alert=A9773

K A S H R U T . C O M_©

The Premier Kosher Information Source on the Internet