Kashrut.com - Kosher Food Alerts and Mislabeled Products

OU Kosher Alert Birch Benders Blueberry Muffin Mix

January 22, 2024 from the OU:

Birch Benders Blueberry Muffin Mix, Hometown Food Company, Toledo OH has a missing D - Dairy Designation:
The Orthodox Union certifies Birch Benders Blueberry Muffin Mix as an OU D - Dairy product. This product contains dairy as indicated in the ingredients and allergens statements. Some packaging bears an OU mark 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=A8756

Euroland, Europa Market, Matryoshka – Unauthorized Use of OK Mark

January 19, 2024: From OK Kosher:

The following supermarkets – Euroland (Deerfield Beach, FL), Europa Gourmet (Hollywood, FL) and Matryoshka (Sunny Isles Beach, FL) are displaying an unauthorized OK certification mark on various signage, as well as on snack items under brands Euroland/Euroline.

OK Kosher does not certify this company’s products or establishments.

The previous item can be cited with the URL: https://www.kashrut.com/Alerts/?alert=A8755

Brightfarms Recalls Spinach and Salad Kits Because of Possible Health Risk as a Result of Supplier Element Farms Recall

January 17, 2024 from the FDA:

BrightFarms has issued a voluntary recall of spinach grown by its supplier Element Farms in their Pompton Plains, New Jersey farm and distributed under the BrightFarms brand because the spinach has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The recalled products were distributed to retailers in seven states including Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.

The products come in 4-oz, clear, plastic containers. Information about the “best by” date, UPC, and facility code can be found at the bottom of the package. Pictures to assist customers in identifying the recalled products are found at the end of this announcement.

Product	Ounce	UPC Codes	Facility Code	Best-By Date
BrightFarms Baby Spinach	3.5oz	8-57062-00492-3	PEN8	1/11/2024, 1/13/2024, 1/18/2024, 1/20/2024

Consumers with questions are encouraged to call 1-866-857-8745 between 8:00am-6:00pm EDT or email info@brightfarms.com with the subject line: Recall.

Ed; note: I have only listed the plain spinach and not the other recalled products.

The previous item can be cited with the URL: https://www.kashrut.com/Alerts/?alert=A8754

Kashrut Information: Hershey's Chocolate Syrup and Hershey's Simply 5 Syrup

January 18, 2024 from the OU in response to a question from the editor:
The Hershey's Simply 5 Syrup is labeled OUD, but in fact, its true status, at the present time, is DE (Dairy Equipment).
September 18, 2023 and January 17, 2024 from the OU in response to a question from the editor:
The Hershey's Original Syrup is labeled OUD, but in fact, its true status, at the present time, is DE (Dairy Equipment).
What does DE mean? A DE product does not contain actual dairy ingredients, but it is manufactured with heat on dairy equipment. DE items may be eaten after meat, but not with meat at the same time.
Many products qualify to be DE but are labeled OUD because OUD is a less confusing symbol for the kosher consumer. Also, to be a true DE product, the equipment must be properly cleaned of residue after dairy production, and that level of cleanliness is sometimes difficult to maintain and guarantee.
Please note that it is possible that the manufacturer will reformulate this product and add a true dairy ingredient. You will not be able to know this, since the OUD kosher symbol will remain the same. We recommend that you contact our office every few months to reconfirm the DE status of this product.

The previous item can be cited with the URL: https://www.kashrut.com/Alerts/?alert=A8649

Kashrut Alert: Bond Coffee Collective, Chicago, IL

January 17, 2024 from the cRc:

As a reminder, Bond Coffee Collective, located at 7555 N. California Ave., Chicago, IL 60645, has changed management and is not kosher. We continue to hear stories of people who were not aware of this important change and have unwittingly gone there.

October 31, 2023 from the CRC:

Please be aware that effective immediately, Bond Coffee Collective, located at 7555 North California Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60645, is no longer certified as cRc Kosher. The new management has opted to introduce a non-kosher menu.

The previous item can be cited with the URL: https://www.kashrut.com/Alerts/?alert=A8668

Cinnaholic, Evanston, IL no longer cRc Kosher Certified

January 16, 2024 from the CRC:

Please note that Cinnaholic, located at 1596 Sherman Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201, is no longer certified by cRc Kosher.

The previous item can be cited with the URL: https://www.kashrut.com/Alerts/?alert=A8752

European Kashrus Alert: Heinz Mayonnaise

January, 2024: From the Manchester Beth Din

"Due to changes, we would like to confirm that only the following Heinz Mayonnaise products and sizes in Plastic bottles are certified without the MK logo.

Mayonnaise 70% Seriously good 500ml - 565ml, 800ml
Mayonnaise Light 25% Seriously good 565ml - 800ml
Mayonnaise Creamy & Smooth 500ml/490g, & 800ml/775g

"All other sizes are kosher only when bearing the MK logo on the original Heinz label."

The previous item can be cited with the URL: https://www.kashrut.com/Alerts/?alert=A8750

Kashrut Information: Whole Wheat re: Challah

January 16, 2024: From the Scroll-K and Kemach (Rabbi Nusen N. Horowitz):

Scroll-K: When performing hafrashas challah from whole wheat flour, one should be cognizant of the fact that the bran (usually in the range of 15%; Kemach announced that they add 27%) is generally added back after the milling. As such, one should not make a bracha unless using aprox. 6 lbs. of flour.

From Kemach: Information on Hafrashas Challah (Separating Challah) & Whole Wheat Flour
Text in English is here
Text in Hebrew is here

The previous item can be cited with the URL: https://www.kashrut.com/Alerts/?alert=A8749

Insect Infestation Alert - Sugar Snaps and Snow Peas

January 16, 2024: From the Scroll-K:

Sugar Snap Peas and Snow Peas now require washing. Other Peas do not require checking or cleaning.

Produce sold in retail bags marked ‘Washed (or Triple-Washed), Ready-to-Eat’: No checking or further washing is required.
Bulk (loose)/ Raw / Unwashed: Follow these steps:
- Prepare a basin of detergent solution, using at least 2 tablespoons of detergent per gallon of water.
- Agitate the peas in the solution for 10-15 seconds. Let the peas soak in the solution for at least one minute. Rinse the peas well to ensure the soap is removed. No checking or further washing is required.
IQF (Individually Quick Frozen): At the current time, IQF snap/snow peas are only recommended from brands that are certified as being already checked.

The previous item can be cited with the URL: https://www.kashrut.com/Alerts/?alert=A8748

Israeli Allergy and Food Safety Recalls

Israeli Food Safety Recall: January 13-15, 2024 from the Efoodalert.com:
Strauss recalls Quaker Oatmeal Squares breakfast cereal (411g; All use by dates from 11.1.24 to 4.6.24, inclusive; Product of USA) due to possible Salmonella contamination.
Israeli Food Safety Recall::January 13-15, 2024 from the Efoodalert.com:
SM Castel Food Industries Ltd` recalls four Alhassan spices brand seasoning products due to elevated alfatoxin. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products
Israeli Sesame Allergy Alert: January 9-10, 2024 from the Efoodalert.com:
Eden Shir Sachar Ltd. recalls three Coffee Time brand cookie varieties due to undeclared sesame. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

The previous item can be cited with the URL: https://www.kashrut.com/Alerts/?alert=A8745

K A S H R U T . C O M_©

The Premier Kosher Information Source on the Internet

Consumer Kashrut Alerts

OU Kosher Alert Birch Benders Blueberry Muffin Mix

Euroland, Europa Market, Matryoshka – Unauthorized Use of OK Mark

Brightfarms Recalls Spinach and Salad Kits Because of Possible Health Risk as a Result of Supplier Element Farms Recall

Kashrut Information: Hershey's Chocolate Syrup and Hershey's Simply 5 Syrup

Kashrut Alert: Bond Coffee Collective, Chicago, IL

Cinnaholic, Evanston, IL no longer cRc Kosher Certified

European Kashrus Alert: Heinz Mayonnaise

Kashrut Information: Whole Wheat re: Challah

Insect Infestation Alert - Sugar Snaps and Snow Peas

Israeli Allergy and Food Safety Recalls

K A S H R U T . C O M©

The Premier Kosher Information Source on the Internet

Consumer Kashrut Alerts

OU Kosher Alert Birch Benders Blueberry Muffin Mix

Euroland, Europa Market, Matryoshka – Unauthorized Use of OK Mark

Brightfarms Recalls Spinach and Salad Kits Because of Possible Health Risk as a Result of Supplier Element Farms Recall

Kashrut Information: Hershey's Chocolate Syrup and Hershey's Simply 5 Syrup

Kashrut Alert: Bond Coffee Collective, Chicago, IL

Cinnaholic, Evanston, IL no longer cRc Kosher Certified

European Kashrus Alert: Heinz Mayonnaise

Kashrut Information: Whole Wheat re: Challah

Insect Infestation Alert - Sugar Snaps and Snow Peas

Israeli Allergy and Food Safety Recalls

K A S H R U T . C O M_©