K A S H R U T . C O M_©

Rosh Hashanah Information

August 31, 2021 Information from the Star-K:

At this time of year, when many of us are enjoying fresh figs and dates as well as leeks and black eyed peas, STAR-K reminds you to check these items properly.

• DATES*: Open a few dates in each container and visually inspect. If no insects can be seen, the rest may be eaten without further checking.
• FIGS*: Open each one and check carefully for infestation (typically wasps, beetles or worms). <
  * Checking instructions for dates and figs apply even if they have a hechsher, due to the possibility of improper storage.
• LEEKS: Examine the outside for any leaf miner trails. Check in between the leaves for thrips or other insects.

Star-K Rosh HaShana Checking Guide is here

September 2, 2021 Information from the cRc Twitter Feed:

Plain dates (dried or fresh - domestic, pitted etc.) don't need to be kosher-certified, but they do need to be checked for bugs. Slice open a handful from the container & check inside. If no insects are found, the rest may be eaten without checking.

August 25, 2021 Information from the COR- Detroit:

• HONEY:
  • 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 or should be strained by the consumer.
  • “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 produced from flower nectar). These are not considered Kosher according to some opinions, and should 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.
• FISH HEADS:
  • The frozen Rainbow Trout fish heads now being sold at Superior Kosher Meats are completely fresh water raised, 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 (small 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.