In a letter to roshei yeshivos and local rabbonim in the US, Maran HaRav Yosef Sholom Eliashiv shlita wrote a psak halochoh regarding the Torah prohibition against eating fish infested with the Anisakis worm, following false rumors that he held eating such fish is permitted.
To clarify the issue, which was muddled by incorrect statements by rabbinical entities, including some from kashrus organizations, Maran wrote a rare letter in which he reiterates his position and even said the figures behind the rumors cause harm through "devious means."
The letter was written in the presence of HaRav Shraga Feivel Cohen, the moro d'asro of Tomchei Torah in Brooklyn and author of Badei Hashulchon on Yoreh Dei'ah, who was visiting Maran at the time.
Rabbonim alert to kashrus issues say the letter was written to clear up confusion caused by rabbinical figures, some of whom come from kashrus organizations with a vested interest that have even granted kashrus certification to sardines full of intestinal worms, citing various questionable heteirim. No authority ever considered permitting intestinal worms.
Kashrus organizations should be aware, said these rabbonim, that even if they grant various dispensations, in all matters great and small Klal Yisroel heeds the halachic rulings of gedolei hador and abhors all fish meat that has any possibility of containing worms prohibited by Torah law.
For further clarification and a list of fish infested with Anisakis, call 052-760-2125.
