By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for the Five Towns Jewish Times

Well, the Kedem Company has shown that their erlichkeit amounts much more than a hill of beans in this world.

In a dispatch to the public, Charles Herzog of Kedem and Kenover Marketing writes:

“It has come to our attention that our Chulent Mix date code # 091218 as well as #090518 and # 090522 has been found to have some instances of infestation.”

Although these are the two lots with infestations, there may be others as well. Specifically, a white colored worm has been seen inching along among the beans.

The letter continues: “This may be the result of a hot summer season or other causes. We are addressing this with our growers.. we would like to take a precautionary measure and pull all above mentioned product from the shelves and replace with new product which has been checked and cleared as clean.”

The letter urges consumers to “get in touch with your sales rep for a full credit and we’ll replace with fresh product as soon as we are assured of the cleanliness and quality.”
In this author’s opinion, it is quite admirable when companies issue their own recalls.

The posuk says, “asher nassi yecheta” Rashi explains, “Asher – Ashrei haDor – blessed is the nation, when its leaders admit to error.” We can apply this yardstick to our companies as well. Blessed is the generation when the companies themselves issue their own recalls.

Bug infestation is a very serious halachic matter, and is one situation where it might be more kosher to each pork, chalilah, than cholent.

The Five Towns Jewish Times and Yeshiva World News urges everyone to check your date lot numbers. They are printed in black ink on the back of the package. Once again they are:

date code # 091218 as well as #090518 and # 090522

A Lakewood Avreich has just sent me evidence of a fourth infestation [NOT in the Original Letter from Kedem] Date Lot number: 082218

The author can be reached at [email protected]