Kosher ram
A PROJECT OF THE MERKAZ—THE LAYMAN'S ASSOCIATION OF THE
VAAD HORABONIM OF GREATER DETROIT
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PESACH 1994
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This special Pesach KosherGram is compiled from reliable and knowledgeable sources, both in the
Detroit area and across the country. Because the most accurate information becomes available only shortly
before Pesach, we have waited until this time in order to present a more complete and up to date list. We
want to thank our members/sponsors for their warm support throughout the year, and we wish them and
all our readers a Chag Kosher V'someyach. (If you wish to be added to the KosherGram mailing list,
please contact the Merkaz office at (810) 424-8880 or return the form from the bottom of page 4.)
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I. GENERAL INFORMATION
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cautioned not to take for granted that a product is Kosher for Pesach just because it is in the Passover section of their store
or because a "Kosher for Passover' sign is posted. Each year there are numerous instances, even in Jewish stores, of
non-Pesach products mistakenly being mixed in with Pesach products, usually because their labels are almost identical.
This occurs frequently with Telma soup mixes and cubes, Haddar, Season and Festive brands of products, Empire
prepared poultry, Manischewitz wines, General Foods coffees, etc., all of which have both Pesach and non-Pesach
versions of the same products with almost identical labels.
Storekeepers likewise should not take for granted that everything received in their Pesach shipment, even from a
Jewish distributor, is indeed Pesach certified; non-Pesach products are frequently inadvertently mixed in. There have also
been several instances where the outsides of cases were marked Kosher for Pesach, but the products inside were not.
Each individual label must always be checked.
EGG MATZOH Matzoh made with fruit juice or eggs, which includes "Kosher for Passover' Egg Matzohs, Egg Matzoh
Crackers, etc., may not be eaten on Pesach, according to Ashkenazic practice, except by the sick or elderly who cannot eat
regular matzoh. Most brands of egg matzoh now state this restriction clearly in English on the package. Streit's, however,
mistakenly omitted this notice from its packages this year. - Please note that even the sick and elderly cannot fulfill the
obligation to eat matzoh at the Seder with these types of matzohs.
FROZEN VEGETABLES require special Pesach certification because many frozen vegetable plants process pasta,
macaroni, breaded vegetables, etc. on the same equipment as plain vegetables.
This year the following brands are available with Pesach certification. BODEK brand offers both retail and institutional
size packages. The other brands are available only in institutional sizes.
1. BODEK (Bodek Kosher Produce Inc., Brooklyn, N.Y.) - (Dp Broccoli, Spinach, Onions.
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2. FROSTY ACRES (Frosty Acres Brands Inc., Norcross, GA) - only with Star-K on the case: Asparagus, Broccoli,
Brussel Sprouts, Cauliflower, Spinach, Dutch Mix, Swiss Mix.
3. SYSCO IMPERIAL [no other Sysco brands] (Sysco Corp., Houston, Texas) - NK endorsed without any marking on
the case or package: Asparagus, Broccoli, Carrots, Cauliflower, Okra, Spinach, Squash, Zucchini, California Blend, Winter
Blend.
4. HA-TOV/THE BEST (Nick Penachio Co., Bronx, N.Y.) - with Kof-K - Kosher for Passover on the case: Broccoli,
Carrots, Cauliflower, Spinach, Yellow Squash, Zucchini.
5. B-TAM (S. Bertram Co., Brooklyn, N.Y.) - with Kof-K - Kosher for Passover on the case: Broccoli, Carrots,
Cauliflower, Spinach, Zucchini.
PEELED VEGETABLES & FRUIT Hotels, restaurants and caterers often buy peeled potatoes, peeled apples, shredded
lettuce or cabbage, etc. from produce suppliers, who often treat these products with antioxidants to prevent them from
turning brown. We have found that many of these antioxidants, in particular the non-sulfite types, contain ingredients that
may not be Kosher for Pesach, such as dextrose, citric acid, ascorbic acid and others. One type also contains lactose, a
dairy ingredient.
CHARCOAL BRIQUETS contain approximately 5% starch as a binding agent. It has been found that some companies are
using wheat starch. In addition, some companies use recycled charcoal that has been used in distilleries to filter whiskey.
We therefore suggest that one consult a Rav before using charcoal briquets on Pesach to barbecue food.
PAPER TOWELS & NAPKINS Some brands of 2-ply paper towels and napkins use a starch-based material to bond the
plies together. Even in 1-ply varieties, some companies occasionally add starch as a dry-strength agent. We have found
that manufacturers' assurances that no starch is being used cannot be relied upon, because suppliers and procedures
change without notice. In addition, most brands use recycled paper, which contains starch, and all brands that we know of
now use reclaimed plant scrap from products containing starch. (A starch-based glue is also usually present on the first
three and last two sheets of paper towels.) For all these reasons, it may be advisable not to use paper towels and napkins
In direct contact with hot or wet food on Pesach; consult your Ray.
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