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4 Kislev 5765 - November 17, 2004 | Mordecai Plaut, director Published Weekly
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NEWS
BUG UPDATE, KISLEV 5765

Prepared by Devorah Plaut and Ruth Levy
(based on information provided by Rav Moshe Vaye, except where noted otherwise)

1. ONIONS

The state of onions has improved, and the recommendation to separate all the layers of all onions is no longer in effect. This means that for regular Israeli-grown onions, if: a) no green leaves are sprouting from the top of the onion AND b) the onion is firm, AND c) after cutting off 1/2 cm. from the top of the onion (starting to count the 1/2 cm. from where the onion starts being round), an inspection of the cross-section of the layers shows that all the layers are tightly packed together, with no spaces between them, then only the inside and outside of the first layer and the outside of the second layer need to be cleaned or checked.

During the course of the winter, the new crop of onions will come to market. The way to identify them is that they are open at the top, i.e. the peel does not grow all the way up over the top of the onion, and the inside of the onion is visible. As every year, these onions should be checked or cleaned layer by layer.

2. OATS

People have again been reporting finding infestation (live bugs) in MORNFLAKE OATS. Therefore we are still required to check them. It is preferable to use the English Quaker oats.

QUAKER OATS from England (brown can or foil bag): no change. No checking required.

3. SHELLAC

The following is based on a conversation with the Badatz Eida Chareidis.

The shellac used on APPLES throughout Eretz Yisroel (not only those sold in stores with a Badatz hechsher) is a special kosher shellac.

PERSIMMONS are not shellacked.

CITRUS fruit is still being coated with the non-kosher shellac and the peel should not be eaten. Washing does not remove the shellac.

4. SIFTERS

Reminder: If you haven't taken apart and cleaned your sifter in the past 2 months, it's time to do so (unless you store it in the refrigerator or freezer).

5. BUG-FREE VEGETABLES

Rav Vaye has removed his hechsher from the "Yarok min HaTeva" specially-grown vegetables, also called "Bikurei Katif." Even if the package has his name on it, if it was grown by this company, do not rely on it. It is an unauthorized use of his name.

6. AMERICAN RAISINS

Black and yellow raisins from America that come packaged (either in tiny 1-oz. size boxes, 12-oz. boxes, or 1 kg. bags) can be assumed to be clean, as long as they are fresh. Once the container has been opened, or for prolonged storage, store in the refrigerator or freezer. The American raisins that are sold loose (by the gram) in nut and dried fruit stores in Eretz Yisroel must be checked by soaking in hot water.

7. FRESH MUSHROOMS

When checking fresh mushrooms, be on the alert for red spider mites (tiny live red insects) on the mushrooms or in the bottom of the box. Reports have been coming in lately of sightings of these creatures in Israeli-grown mushrooms. If any are found, do not use the mushrooms in that box.

8. DRY FOOD PRODUCTS

(According to an alert published in newspapers by the Badatz Eida Chareidis, dated 25 Cheshvan) At this time of the year, after the heat of the summer, dry foods (such as flour, spices, noodle products, grains, legumes, and nuts and seeds) have an even higher infestation rate than during the summer itself. Therefore, one should be extra cautious about checking these items now.

 

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