Kashrus Alerts

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Common Cheese Confusions

Elul 5783 September 2022

There are a few cheeses on the market in which the same company will produce Cholov Yisroel Cheeses, as well as non Cholov Yisroel cheeses.

Most of the companies do have different labels and brand names to differentiate between the Cholov Yisroel and non Cholov Yisroel cheeses. However, many times, the colors, fonts, and general styles of the designs are similar enough, that many people have been led to mistakenly confuse the two and assume that a non Cholov Yisroel cheese was really the Cholov Yisroel kind.

Below are just some examples of cheeses that were unfortunately confused, leading to mistakes of consuming non Cholov Yisroel, and issues involving the need to kasher different equipment and utensils in the kitchen.

The brands of cheeses - Migdal, Haolam, and Millers are all owned by the same company, and produce cheeses with different brand names and labels.

Only the Haolam label is Cholov Yisroel. The Migdal, and Millers labels are not Cholov Yisroel. Since the packaging of Miller’s or Migdal often may have similarity to the Haolam packages, there can definitely be confusion for one not paying proper attention, or for one who doesn’t know the difference between them. One needs to be careful to check the wording to make sure the product explicitly says Cholov Yisroel on it.

The brand Natural and Kosher which has cheeses that are Cholov Yisroel is the same company as the brand Les Petites Fermieres which is not Cholov Yisroel. Although these two also have different packaging and names, nevertheless, they still look similar due to their font, design and style, and many people have confused the two. One should also be aware that the OK certifies cheeses that are non Cholov Yisroel. A dairy product under the OK needs to specifically say Cholov Yisroel on it to confirm that it is so.

The brand Schtark, which is Cholov Yisroel and Oneg ,which is not Cholov Yisroel, are the same company with different labels. They may look similar but one should be aware that only Schtark is Cholov Yisroel.

An additional company, The Cheese Guy, actually has the same name for both Cholov Yisroel and Non Cholov Yisroel, and the way to differentiate between the two, is to pay close attention to the wording on each label to see if it says Cholov Yisroel bear the OU or not.

Spring Valley as well has cheese blintzes which are Cholov Yisroel and non Cholov Yisroel. One should make sure to see that it says clearly Cholov Yisroel.

Common Cheese Confusions.pdf

Candies

Adar 5780/ March 2020

There are some candies out there, which are sold in Crown Heights stores and beyond, that are NOT recommended.

The following should NOT be used:

Candies with Ko Kosher Service Vaad of Philadelphia, aren’t acceptable whatsoever. Candies can have pig gelatin in them or carmine (food coloring extracted from a type of beetle). These include many types of Lemon heads and gummy worms.

The Following Products
Should Not Be Used

Shevat 5780/ February 2020

The following products have been seen in many homes of Anash in Crown Heights and beyond.

These products aren't acceptable and should not be used:

1) Flavored seltzer under the Triangle K. The most famous is the Vintage brand. Most national hashgachos aren’t comfortable with the level of supervision for the flavored seltzer. Plain seltzer is fine for year round consumption without a hechsher. (See picture of seltzer bottle).

2) Canned vegetables, beans, or tomato sauce with Triangle K. There can be significant kashrus concerns with these items. The cans can be cooked in the same water that cooked treif things prior (including and not limited to tomato and meat or cheese sauces or pork). The method with which this treif water would be dealt with isn’t acceptable. See above pictures for some examples.

3) Canned fruits with Triangle K. Many have grape juice in the syrup and the grape juice isn’t on an acceptable level.

Bell Peppers From Israel

Teves 5780/ January 2020

(Red, yellow and orange) are beginning to appear in U.S. stores, and require taking of Terumos and Maaseros before consumption. They are being sold in various stores across the country. They have been seen in Kroger, Walmart, Holiday Market, Trader Joe’s and other stores. The brands include Sunset, Gilad, Pero Family Farms, and others, both regular and organic. Consumers should carefully check the fine print on the package, or the sticker on individual peppers sold loose, for the country of origin. Often the same brand has some peppers from Israel and some from other locations, so each individual package or pepper should be checked.

Quinoa