Note: The information here is only with regard to the
incidence of bugs in the products mentioned. It does not
address other issues of kashrus or suitability for eating
such as chodosh.
GRAINS in Eretz Yisroel
Woodlice (or book lice), the tiny gray or beige insects
sometimes found among grains, have put in a major appearance
lately in Eretz Yisroel. Therefore, we would like to review
the procedure for checking grains here. In other countries
the procedure may vary.
Strain all grains (barley, wheat, buckwheat, and rice,
including white rice) dry in a strainer with holes
just a bit smaller than the grain, holding the strainer over
a solid-colored surface. Then examine the debris that fell
through the holes. If you find a lot of woodlice, dead or
alive, it is best not to use that package.
If just a few woodlice were found, they can be removed and
the grains may be used after straining a second time and then
continuing as usual, i.e. spreading out the grains and
checking between them, and then putting them in salt water --
3 Tbs. salt to 4 cups water -- and removing any grains that
float. The salt-water float is not necessary for white rice
and pearl barley unless beetles, weevils, or moth larvae were
found.
The most effective strainer for straining grains is the Kal-
Bodek, which is now available at Mercaz HaElectronica on
Rechov Hayeshiva in Geula, Jerusalem, as well as other
stores. Its price has come down.
Latest on MORNFLAKE OATS
After a break of a few months, reports have started coming in
again of sightings of small brown beetles in canned oats
manufactured by Mornflake. The Quaker brand in the brown can
from England is clean and does not have to be checked.
HELSI and KI-TOV products
Helsi insect-free grains and legumes have been disappearing
from the grocer's shelves in Eretz Yisroel, and products by a
new company, Ki-Tov, have been appearing instead. The
explanation is that Helsi (located in Belgium) opened a
branch here to produce vacuum-packed bug-free products. The
name of the Israeli company is Ki-Tov. It has a Badatz
hechsher, which includes their approval of the
products as bug-free.
When asked for his opinion about Ki-Tov, Rav Vaye said that
he cannot take responsibility without having toured the plant
and seen the arrangements and precautions used there. In a
conversation I had with the company, they said that they are
planning to invite Rav Vaye to inspect the facility.
Flour
There is a new electric sifter on the market, called Pele-
Matic which has Rav Vaye's approval and is fast (sifts a kilo
in a minute) and quiet. It can be ordered by phone at (02)
571-2487 and is also available at housewares stores.
Raisins
There are raisins available in Israel now in tightly closed
round containers from America, produced by Champion. These
raisins are clean and do not require checking.
The American raisins that come in very small boxes (6 or 8
boxes come wrapped together in a cellophane wrapper), when
fresh, are also clean. Therefore if you bring them over
yourself from the U.S. and use them up quickly, or keep them
in the fridge, you do not have to check them.
All other raisins, whether Israeli or American, yellow or
black, should be soaked in hot water for 10 minutes and then
swished around in the water. Wait a minute, then pour the top
part of the water through a white cloth and check if there
are any insects on the cloth. If insects are found, it is
best not to use the raisins.
