K A S H R U T . C O M_©

March 10, 2026 from Matzav.com:

"A major change in the production of kugel under the supervision of Badatz Eidah Hachareidis has stirred discussion in the chareidi community after the kashrus committee announced that following Pesach it will no longer grant certification for kugel prepared in reusable aluminum pots. The decision comes amid concerns that the pots circulate without supervision. Rabbonim have given manufacturers time to prepare for the transition and have pointed to a producer who has already developed a suitable disposable pot solution.

"For many years, members of the kashrus committee of Badatz Eidah Hachareidis have grappled with the issue of the well-known kugel pots used to prepare Yerushalmi kugel served at kiddushim and simchos throughout the community.

"These pots are regularly delivered to kiddushim and events on weekends and later returned to the manufacturer. However, the pots often circulate widely before being retrieved, raising concern that they may be used in kitchens that are not under proper supervision. Such use, rabbonim warned, could create serious kashrus concerns.

"In recent months, the kashrus committee of Eidah Hachareidis announced an end to the use of aluminum pots. A kugel manufacturer has since developed a new solution in the form of specially designed disposable pots intended for kugel production.

"Kugel producers have welcomed the move, as it eliminates the logistical challenge of collecting pots from shuls and removes the need to employ workers to wash them. The main technical difficulty that had to be overcome was ensuring that heat reaches the upper portion of the pot. If the top of the kugel does not cook properly, it can spoil, raising the question of whether a disposable pot could provide adequate heat distribution."