12:44PM EST: Update added below from the Chicago Rabbinical Congress. [FYI: People should beware that there are TWO organizations by the name CRC!]
UPDATE 11:20AM EST: Please read extended article for update from CRC, and letters from Rabbinical Organizations. [Click on letters to ENLARGE them.]
10:10AM EST: As many of you are aware, there is a serious bug problem with this years crop of Strawberries. Yeshivaworld has received dozens of emails from readers asking if they may eat strawberries. We have decided to post the latest information made available to us – and the readership should read it, and consult with their local Poskim / Rabbonim for a P’sak Halacha. The following is all the info that is currently available to us. As additional info becomes available it will be posted.
The following insect infestation alert is from Central Rabbinical Congress on May 17, 2007:
The Central Rabbinical Congress’ Hisachdus Hurabbonim 85 Division Av. Brooklyn, NY (CRC) notified their establishments on Thursday May 17th, that for the time being they should not use fresh strawberries, due to a high infestation on all strawberries. The special soap wash instructions is not to be used until further notice, The CRC is monitoring the crop on a daily basis and is in contact with many other Kashrus agency’s and professionals. All frozen strawberries from Bodek are under the CRC supervision and is insect & bug free and does not need any checking.
[Click on image to ENLARGE it] The following letter was issued by the Central Rabbinical Congress on May 30, 2007 announcing to the public not to use any frozen strawberries including those from Bodek:
The following policy on strawberries was received from the Chicago Rabbinical Council on May 25, 2007:
The following is the cRc’s policy on strawberries: Fresh strawberries that are smooth and rounded in shape should have the tops cut off and the strawberries should be gently rubbed while rinsed well under a strong stream of water. Strawberries that have an unusual shape and are curved, causing some crevices and overlaps on the surface where small insects may hide, must have the tops removed and then also must be soaked for a short while in a kosher vegetable wash or a soap solution. They then must be rinsed off under a strong stream of water. All frozen strawberries without added flavors or colors are acceptable. Canned strawberries need a reliable hashgacha.
12:44PM EST: Update on June 4, 2007 from the Chicago Rabbinical Council:
There has reportedly been a recent high level of insect infestation in strawberries. The situation is being investigated, but in the meantime, the cRc recommends the following procedure:
A) Cut off the leafy top of the strawberry, being careful not to cut too much as to open the cavity in the strawberry. (This will keep the soapy water from entering the center of the strawberry. If too much was cut, this does not invalidate the procedure.)
B) Wash the strawberries in a soapy solution, rubbing them with a sponge. If the strawberries have creases and/or folds, then special care should be made in those areas.
C) Rinse the strawberries and enjoy!
Click on image to ENLARGE the letter issued by the New Square Rabbinical Kashruth Council:
The following Statement was given to us by the OU:
Fresh strawberries have long been recognized as being prone to insect infestation, including aphids, small mites and thrips, and should not be consumed unless prepared in a proper manner. These insects are found primarily under the green leafy crown at the top of the strawberries. They can also be nestled on the surface of the berry. The insects tend to migrate from the top of the strawberry downward.
Recent claims have been made questioning the viability of any cleaning and checking procedure for strawberries. These claims have caused much confusion and concern in the kosher consuming community. The OU has carefully investigated these claims, and a series of experiments were performed to address this issue. Research has determined that when prepared and washed properly, the insects will be removed from the strawberry (this result has been confirmed by a group of Rabbonim and experts in the field, meeting in Lakewood on May 29, 2007).
The following is the OU’s recommended method for preparing strawberries as excerpted from the soon-to-be published “OU Guide to Checking, Fruits, Vegetables, and Berries” (2nd edition).
1. Remove the green leaves from the top of the strawberries, careful to not make a hole in the top of the strawberry. If a hole was made, the strawberry should then be cut in half, allowing you to wash both the inside and outside of the strawberry.
2. Place the strawberries in water that is concentrated with liquid soap.
3. Vigorously agitate the strawberries in water.
4. Allow the strawberries to soak in water for several minutes after agitation.
5. Wash each strawberry individually under a strong stream of running water, ensuring that the entire surface of the strawberry is thoroughly washed.
6. Dry strawberries, wiping their surface.
Cautionary note: This procedure must be performed meticulously to achieve desired results. A visual inspection should be made following the process.
Consumers wishing to receive additional direction from the OU how to prepare fresh strawberries according to OU guidelines should contact our office at 212-613-8241.
Drasha in Yiddish on Strawberry crisis:
To listen to an excellent talk in Yiddish by Rav Yehoshua Katz Shlita (Magrov Rov) about this problem and the meeting of many rabbonim to discuss this (where strawberries were washed and checked etc) 646-278- 1168 (#57).
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35 Responses
Please issue the dates on each of these alerts so as this story takes shape we will know what the latest information is.
better late then never yw
WHAT IS NEW ABOUT THIS? RABBI FALK FROM GATESHEAD HAD SAID THIS FOR YEARS ALREADY AND YEARS LATER THE KEDASSIA PEOPLE FROM LONDON AGREE ON THIS PRACTICE.
We are now at the very end of the strawberry season… why didn’t this come out earlier? are strawberries frozen from the begining of the season a problem as well?
The Skvere Bais Din also announced that their frozen strawberries from Fairmont are bug free.
Reading the statements above, it doesn’t strike me as much of a “crisis”. It sounds more like an “hysteria”. BTW, what ever happened to the treif meat crisis in Bnei Brak?
RE:”All frozen strawberries from Bodek are under the CRC supervision and is insect & bug free and does not need any checking.”
Can someone please explain what Bodek does, with thousands and thousands of strawberries, that others can’t or don’t do? Can’t we do the same at home?
How does this affect products with a strawberry (for flavor) ingredient.
I just called the Hisachdus myself – they said that Bodek frozen strawberries should NOT be used unless you puree or really cook them up.
Their number is (718) 384-6765
Fairmont Frozen Strawberries I believe is still OK – caveat emptor.
“CRISIS” ? using the word crisis and strawberries together is a tad over the top ,dont you think?There are problems in our kehilos with shalom bayis ,internet abuse,kids at risk,and lets not forget people with sticky fingers when it come to “dinei mamon”,those i might deem appropriate to use the word “crisis”.Im not belittleing chalila the issur of machalos assuros ,and the consumption of shratzim and tolaim.The tolaim have been a problem in strawberries since the begining of time ,and rabbanim mumchim be’hilchos tolaim came up with a process to clean them,however there seems to be a group of people with not much to do ,nor concerned with mamon yisroel that are causing and stirring up the silliest baseless nonsense spewed for a long time ,if one yenta claims and i emphasize the word claims she found a bug or whatever ,does that mean that a reputable company of almost 20 years pulls thousands of dollars woth of merchandise from shelves ??? helloooooooo have you ever heard of the terms “miut hamatzui” “neerah la’ayin”,let these so called rabbonim check with real experts before dismissing a good thing or make recalls.
Ijust wish someone could explain to me why eating strawberries are so important. The water crisis demanded a solution as it is integral to our existence. But strawberries…. Just don’t eat them until this problem goes away and if it dosn’t go away then live without them
ARE BODEK STRAWBERRY’S GOOD?
This “crisis” is not a “crisis!” Just wash them the way you are supposed to and its not a problem. At the recent meeting one of the rabbonim was jumping up and down about it but when he was asked, “nu, so how should one clean them?,” he shut up. In order to talk, you have to know and if you dont know, you should let those who know, do the talking. There is nothing wrong with not knowing something.
Listen to the OU letter and it will be good.
Those of you attacking the Rabbonim should be ashamed of yourselves.
ARE BODEK STRAWBERRY’S GOOD?
Delicious!
Bodek frozen strawberries are as good relative to fresh strawberries, as melted ice cream is good relative to frozen.
Are Bodek strawberries only good in their frozen state? The minutes before they get frozen, in their pre-frozen state, they’re no good?
What is the source of this ou statement, as it is not on their website? The method shown there is different. (please don’t say ‘yw is the source too bad’ In this case it makes a big difference.)
Editors response: It was written VERY clearly in the article the following “The following Statement was given to us by the OU”.
Is that clear enough now? Just in case it’s not (which for some reason we suspect is the case), there is a phone number – also – CLEARLY written in the article. 🙂
I called the posted number. He was unaware of any statement having been released. After looking on this site, he did confirm the method here. The one on their site is an older method. It’s amazing how yw is more updated on ou policy than their own site! (It is quite strange that this is here and not there)
p.s. I was trying to ascertain if this is an official statement because I was told yesterday by one of those at the mentioned meeting that they will be meeting again at the END of this week to decide on an official policy statement. My suspicion that this is an unofficial statement seems to have been confirmed.
“does that mean that a reputable company of almost 20 years pulls thousands of dollars woth of merchandise from shelves ??? helloooooooo have you ever heard of the terms “miut hamatzui” “neerah la’ayin”,let these so called rabbonim check with real experts before dismissing a good thing or make recalls.”
Uh, Shnitz
No, I guess no one has ever heard of it.
Good thing you brought it up.
At least now the Rabbanim will know with whom to consult.
I doubt are forefathers checked the man for insects. Chumros upon chumros is a way of life unknown until the last few decades.
I heard in the name of Rabbi Beryl Gershenfeld that this is our self defense mechanism at work. We do less of what really is important, so we make ourselves righteous by keeping chumros.
Case in point: Chalav stam is muttar according to Rav Moshe, the Chazon Ish, and Rav Henkin. (Although, Rav Shternbuch and the Chelkas Yaakov say that the Chazon Ish was matir it l’halacha v’lo l’maaseh). I don’t know of any posek in that league that says it’s assur. (disclaimer: Rav Moshe does say that one should be machmir). Chalav akkum is only an issur d’rabanan.
Chodosh is assur according to most poskim, and the issur is min hatorah.
Yet many people who would never eat chalav stam (or do a shidduch with someone who does), merrily eat chodosh.
If the chumrah of not eating chalav stam is accepeted because of yiras shomayim, that same yiras shomayim would dictate that it’s more important not to eat chodosh.
Who knows,
What an interesting analogy. Eating aphids, small mites and thrips= eating Chalav Stam. How low we have become, to mind eating a harmless and even pretty insect. Altogether too many Chumros.
FYI- thrips are particularly tasty, but watch out for the aphids- low quality insect.
Very loud noises!
ok, I did not read all the oosted letters and I only glanced at the comments – one comment was that you can eat a particular brand of frozen strawberries, but only if you puree it.
stupid question of the day:
could someone please explain to me what happens to the thrips, aphids and small mites when the berries go through the puree process? don’t they just become smaller and harder to remove?
dear md,
its a good question but it is ok. speak to someone who can answer it for you.
this is not a chumra as some of the laytzonim have been writing. the issue is that over the past number of years the insects that were killed or kept away by our use of pesticides are back because of the environmentalist wakkos out there who have lobbied to make those pesticides that actually work illegal.
ok – i waited 1/2 hour for the answer – I’m going to bed (tomorrow, or is it later today – I will be competing with grumpy old man to see who will be grumpier)
Who knows,
I beieve there are 16 lavim pertaining to eating bugs. Would you call that a Chumra??
(FYI, when the use of pesticides on crops were widespread, people didn’t check for bugs as there were none.)
Mdlevine: the bugs are pochus mikeshiur. They are only ossur when whole because of Berya (whole creatures). When pureed, they are no longer berya, and therefore muttar.
follow-up questions: – 1) is the same true if they are fresh and 2) if it is intentional (the grinding) why is it so?
mark levin: I plan on posing the questions to my Rav, however, pehaps someone here also has the answers (similar to most people here, I do not follow halacha on from a blog, only from a Rav).
chatzi shiur asur min hatorah. You are getting confused with the chiyuv malkos. The question is actually a very good one and many are probably confused about this issue. Min hatorah there is no issur in eating the strawberries with the bugs since they are botel according to most poskim. Others hold that since it is possible, albeit difficult to remove them they cannot become botel. According to them the ONLY way to eat any vegetables that require checking is by visually checking each one. Washing would not be enough, and neither would the prewashed. Even he one will rely on the accepted psak that they are botel min hatorah, midirabonon they are not botel since berya aino bitelo. Grinding them, and possibly cooking them, will make them no longer whole and therefore botel. To grind them without washing them first would be mivatel issur lichatchila and would not help. Checking is only required if the food is infested at a level of miut hamotzui, otherwise we can assume that there are no bugs. The idea of the washing process is to bring the infestation level to below miut hamotzui at which point one would not be required to check. Whether it is enough to make something which is infested enough to require checking below this threshold is questionable, but the custom is to rely on it.
To those who question the headline, and ask what the crisis is:
The Crisis is not that we cannot eat strwberries. Big Deal. Rather the crisis is that those who don’t know/care, will be eating tolaim.
As a former mashgiach, I have been washing strawberries with a soapy (OU certified) solution – i try to use a lemon flavor soap – so the berries get some additional “fruity” flavor! 🙂
The ou statement is now OFFICIAL! Only a day after it was posted on yw!
Comment by shnitz — June 4, 2007 @ 11:29 am
In response to you. You appear to have an extremely basic idea of Hilchos Toloim enough to belittle what you refer to as not “real Rabbonim” which you appear to infer is anyone who can’t be mattir something because of sensitivity to momonos issues. I find this totally out of the realm of both you and I. Please leave our (yes you and me) ignorance out of the picture.
Ok but if i dont see the bugs then how is it a problem? How did people eat fruits/veggies 200 years ago or 2000 years ago?
Should we all invest in a microscope just to be sure? Does bacteria count as bugs? How small/large do they have to be to be considered bugs?
I think this issue is getting out of hand.
The big question of the day is…
And we are supposed to wash everything with vegetable soap right? But what were those vegetables washed with (to create the soap)?