• Does a salt or vinegar base wash work to remove bugs?

• What does Shamata method mean and does it have any advantage?

• Can I just check a few leaves from a batch of lettuce and consider the rest fine?

Hands on Bug Checking Video with Rabbi Nissan Zibell 

Elul 5784/ September 2024

It is recommended to specifically use a vegetable wash or soapy solution to wash produce. Available vegetable washes in order of preference include:

An important point:

To make the water sudsy enough to feel slippery, a significantly larger amount than stated in the package instructions might be needed, due to the diluted consistency of the washes.

A. Environne Purely Essential Fruit & Vegetable Wash under the OU and CRC. Can be found on Amazon. Can also be found at Trader Joe's product called "Fruit and Vegetable Wash" under the OU and CRC.

B. Fit Fruit and Vegetable Wash, under the OU (www.fitorganic.com/)

C. Veggie Wash, under the CRC (www.veggie-wash.com)

D. Any other unscented concentrated soap solution that produces soapy / sudsy water can be used. Recommended brand is Seventh Generation free & clear soap.

Detailed videos of Shmatah method:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_wobTUx4k0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=416&v=sHTuFQ1SJys&feature=emb_title

Leaf by leaf checking method:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xz9k053vSMGlf6RD9IkdNF0dhIFrBWcG/view

To acquire a thrip cloth or light box contact:

OK Kosher- Veggies@OK.org or Star K- www.star-k.org/articles/articles/insect-checking/4044/checking-equipment-prices/