2121stst Century Kashrus Century Kashrus

Agenda• Severity of the Prohibition

• A Historic Outlook

• Types of Insects

• Infested Produce – Halacha

• Infested Produce – the Facts

• Pre-washed Vegetables

• Demonstration

Severity of the Prohibition (1)

• Sheretz Ha’mayim – 4 La’avin

• Sheretz Ha’aretz – 5 La’avin

• Sheretz Ha’of – 6 La’avin Makos (16b)

WHY? Pri Chadash Y.D. siman 84, end

Severity of the Prohibition (2)

Timtum Halev

• Rama Y.D. (81,7)

• Pri Chadash Y.D. (81, 26)

Severity of the Prohibition (3)

The prohibition of insects is severe:

He who upholds the commandment is as if hehas upheld the belief in the exodus fromEgypt

He who denies the commandment is asif he denies the exodus from Egypt (Toras Kohanim)

Infestation – An Overview

History• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ban of

DDT (June 1972)• 1980’s brought on an anti-pesticide movement• “The level of Insect infestation in leafy vegetables

has increased dramatically since the FDA banned several pesticides” (US News & World Report Sept. 1992)

Infestation – USDA Tolerance

Vegetable Tolerance Level

Broccoli Frozen 60 or more Aphids, Thrips, Leaf Miners per 3.6 oz.

Spinach Frozen 50 or more Aphids, Thrips, Leaf Miners per 3.6 oz.

Types of Insects – Aphids

Colors…

• Yellow

• Gray Green

• Black

Found in…

• Broccoli

• Cauliflower

• Berries

• Others

Types of Insects – Thrips

Colors…• White or yellowish turning

into gray or brownish/black

Found in…• Leafy vegetables• Cauliflower, Broccoli • Scallions, Asparagus • Artichoke, Chives • Cabbage, Others

Types of Insects – Spider Mites

Colors…• Yellowish to pale green

when immature becoming brownish-red

Found in…• Strawberries, Lettuce • Celery, Parsley • Spinach, Fennel • Others

Types of Insects – Leaf Miner

Found in…• Leafy Vegetables• Asparagus • Scallions • Others

Size of Insects – Halacha

• Usually range from .85mm to 3mm

• Anything that is visible to the naked eye – even if only recognizable as a bug from under a visual tool Poskim

Categories of Infestation – Halacha

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%

Infestation(%)

MuchzakMiut HamatzuyMiut She'ayno Matzuy

Categories of Infestation - Fact

• Seasonality

• Globalization

Commercially Pre-washed Vegetables

Brands: Dole, Fresh Express, T&A, Bodek,

Goldenflow, Eden and more

What is the Claim?

1) Effective Cleaning; or

2) Usually effective…Reduction of infestation levels…Depending on the seasons…etc.

Household Cleaning and Checking

Methods of Checking

1) The chazakah procedure• Shut Rashba (1,274); Bais Yosef Y.D. (84,8); Rama, Shach, Pri

Megadim ibid.; Shut T.T.V. (1, 123) who all disallow this method under normal circumstances for a product that is infested (>10%)

2) The soaping procedure• Method employed by COR, OU, Kof-K and other

reputable kashruth organizations

Demonstration

Every “Vegetable Checker” Needs…

1. A Light-box

2. Vegetable Wash (Soap)

3. Good Set of Eyes

4. Patience!!