By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for the Five Towns Jewish Times
The proliferation of insects in leafy vegetables brings up a very pertinent question: Is there an obligation to check vegetables with a mesh filter and a water shpritzer?
Thus far, many of the Kashrus agencies have recommended it, but have not required it.
This author would like to suggest that, in fact, it should be required based upon two factors. The first is that we find numerous precedent in the achronim to maximize our ability to detect insects. The second is a videotape that demonstrates how a typical salad in a restaurant with a “good hechsher”, but one that until now does not use mesh filtering inspection, contains numerous insects. The reader is asked to read the first section before jumping to the video.
IN THE ACHARONIM
The issue of taking extra steps to help spot insects is not something new. We must keep in mind that the topic of magnification is not what is under discussion. It is rather the issue of taking extra steps to help the naked eye see the insect.
GOING INTO THE SUN
The Bach at the end of Yore Deah 84 discusses a small insect called “Milvan” which can only be seen in the sun. Yet nowhere does the Bach ever entertain that there is no obligation to look for these insects in sunlight. The Chochmas Adam 38:8 also writes of the obligation of examining them in sunlight. This is also the view of the Divrei Chaim (Vol. II #54) and the Tzemach Tzedek (Responsa #62).
OBTAINING ITEMS THAT AID
The Knesses HaGedolah YD 84:62 discusses the obligation of banging a certain vegetable upon a black cloth in order to see the white insects. We see, therefore, that to consume that vegetable it is necessary to both a] bang it down and b] obtain a black cloth. We also find that when something is muchzak b’tolaim, there is often an obligation of sinun – filtering. The Chochmas Adam 38:15 mentions this method as one of the only ways to consume elements in pickle production. The Sheailatz Yaavetz (Vol. II #124) writes that in order to consume rice there is a three-fold examination obligation – heat, careful visual inspection and sunlight.
We see from the above that there is an obligation to obtain items that help our naked eye see the insects in uestion. Whether it is an obligation to go outside and look at it in the sun, or to bang it on a black cloth or obtaining a filtering device or using heat, the Achronim tell us that we must do it.
The use of the mesh cloth and water shpritzer to aid in searching for insects is actually much faster than individual leaf by leaf inspection. Nor is it more expensive. It can also readily be learned by being trained by someone who is adept at using the cloth.
Below we find a video of the process and how it revealed insects in a salad purchased in a restaurant from a frum neighborhood (not the Five Towns) with an accepted hechsher, but one that does not use mesh inspections.
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16 Responses
“from a frum neighborhood (not the Five Towns)”
I guess the Five Towns is too close to home…
It well known that bugs have been an issue in restaurants for years. One of the problems is the time consumption to check for bugs in salads. Another, is the sheer quantity needing to be checked. The worst problem is making sure that the checking is done by a true yireh shamiyim (not always easy to find).
The question is what about in the home? Is this method necessary? Perhaps in the home it may be a better or easier method, but does that negate the method used until now? Is the present method sufficient enough or not? Would we get similar results to the one in the video if we checked salad that was previously check in the home using the standard method?
I’m not trying to challenge Rabbi Hoffman, Chalilah. Just curious to know to what extent this newer method applies.
Just saw the video,
Everyone should realize this is after the first wash, a mashgiach usually washes lettuce at least 3 times
coffee addict,
This was actually AFTER the mashgiach did all of his washing and sold the salad as ready to eat.
Not sure what you’re talking about “3 time wash”. Which mashgiach have you spoken to? It’s not how many times it’s washed, It’s how it is washed.
Softwords,
Reb Vaye was here in U.S. a couple of months ago and gave shiurim all around N.Y. and Lakewood. He said that Romaine lettuce cannot be cleaned or checked by most people in their homes.
Besides requiring training and expertise, we simply don’t have he equipment needed. For example, most people do not even have the required clothes with the proper mesh. The store I visited had pumps installed in the sinks to create high water pressure when shpritzing the lettuce.
Anonymouschochom,
I’m a mashgiach, and I know at least from my vaad, I didn’t realize it was already washed I thought he was just showing how may bugs were in the lettuce before washing
coffee addict,
If your Vaad just does the triple washing method, perhaps this lettuce was from one of your Vaads establishments.
1] The Five Towns is actually very very good on insects
2] I think that we should be doing the newer method at home too or buy from Positive or Bodek or from a store that checks very very well such as 5t Seasons or 5t GG.
3]This video was of a salad bought – after the checking was done
4] AnonymousChochom is on the money
5] Excellent point, but the training and eqpmnt are available.. Every house should have a mesh, light box and shpritzer..
Rabbi Hoffman.
First of all, thank you for the article, the video,and for spreading awareness.
Just a few points:
1] As you yourself write, the Five Towns is way ahead of the game at the two establishments you mentioned. 5t GG is probably the only place in this country who would allow Reb Vaye and Rabbi Goldstein to inspect their facility. Reb Vaye commented that he has never seen such a set up in the entire world. But not all of the Five Towns establishments reach that high standard.
2] It is true that the training and equipment is available. However, not all that claim to be trainers are actually qualified themselves to train. And according to the qualified trainers, not all people are capable of being trained. It is an expertise which not all can learn. I myself have spent many hours with some of the biggest experts, but do not feel competent to check in my own home. Nobody should check at home without being double-checked and tested by a true expert first.
3] Not all “heimeshe” brands of prepackaged lettuce are truly bug free either. I spoke to Reb Vaye and he only recommended very limited brands. He also said that NO strawberries, even frozen with hashgocho can be eaten unless they are pureed.
Rabbi Hoffman – do you know if in Israel the level of infestation is the same as in America? Here, in Israel, most buy the prewashed lettuce and wash it well. Do you know if there exists the same issue with these tiny bugs in those prewashed bags as well?
There needs to be more public education (shiurim, etc for men and women) regarding halachic checking of vegetables. When I mention to people that bug checking is sometimes the most challenging part of meal preparation, they laugh it off. I usually find bugs in store bought (unchecked)triple washed conventional (heavy pesticide spraying was used) leafy vegetables. The problem is a lack of knowledge by many in our frum community.
Only Postiv/Kosher Gardens and 5T GG.
These are the only brands where they have mashgichim who know mites checking.
Most hashgachos don’t know mites.
We need to boycott hashgachos where this is a problem. Check out the Youtube channel, Spotlight on Queens Vaad. They did an experiment on salads being sold under VHQ and found bugs galore.
Anonymouschacham,
If your Vaad just does the triple washing method, perhaps this lettuce was from one of your Vaads establishments.
You misread my words, my vaad uses a mesh and washes it three times before checking the mesh
I’m surprised the vaad of the five towns uses it, I heard it’s not used in a lot of places
At least three times
For the next article, perhaps it’s time to revisit the orange juice issue. Maybe we can read about Reb Vaye’s latest findings in American juice and about the new production of bug-free orange juice which is being worked on.
Btw,
If the vaad of the five towns is so good why are there approved lists