Kosher Australia

Some Yom Tov food suggestions

1. Many of the major brands of honey are Kosher certified – Capilano, Beechworth, Leabrook Farms, Archibald and Pureharvest. Recently, Leabrook developed its spreadable honey range, all Kosher certified and available in most supermarkets.

   In the run up to the Yom Tov season, we’d like to take the opportunity to let people know about some new products and some not-so-new that will help with the Yom Tov cooking or just to sweeten things up.

2. The following alternative sweeteners are kosher approved:
   1. Fruisana made by Danisco and is certified by the Orthodox Union even when the packaging does not bear the OU kosher symbol.
   2. CSR Smart (pack and sticks) is kosher approved by Kosher Australia.
   3. Hermesitas sticks are not kosher approved and contain dairy ingredients. (Hermesitas tablets are Kosher certified pareve by Rav Levinger.)
3. Looking for fish? Contact Clamms Seafoods at www.clamms.com.au for their certified range of skin on filleted and whole fish.
4. Continental Kosher Butchers have launched a new website www.ckb.com.au. All their products are glatt kosher and readily available at select Coles and Franklins stores as well as from their Malvern store and via telephone orders.
5. As an accompaniment for your fish or meat dishes, why not try a selection of gourmet dips from Australian Veggie Gourmet such as Basil pesto, Beetroot, Moroccan Lentil, Thai Carrot and Spinach & Garlic? These are available at kosher retailers and at Coles. Be sure to look out for the Kosher Australia symbol on the packaging.
6. To add that extra flavour to your soups, Massel stock powders and cubes are widely available – all Kosher certified pareve. Note that the Massel liquid stocks are not acceptable.
7. For that savoury tapenade, sauce or topping, try the products from Riverina Grove (www.riverinagrove.com.au) – their 3-Tops Chilli sauce is excellent (the Tomato and BBQ sauces aren’t too bad either). Kosher sauces and products are Kosher certified by Kosher Australia.
8. For the wine enthusiast, try Beckett’s Flat’s new Five Stones range – visit their website (www.beckettsflat.com.au) for more information and ordering details.
9. For Succos, don’t forget the exquisite range of Lark liquors (www.larkdistillery.com.au) – all Kosher certified.
10. Darrell Lea ‘naked’ liquorices and liquorice twists are now kosher certified. Kosher symbols will appear on packaging in the next few weeks but existing stock is already acceptable. Kosher brands include Darrell Lea, Ricci and Coles. Kosher varieties include Original Soft Eating Liquorice, Blackcurrant Soft Eating Liquorice, Strawberry Soft Eating Liquorice, Green Apple Soft Eating Liquorice, Mango Soft Eating Liquorice, Black Liquorice Twists & Raspberry Liquorice Twists. Please note the brocho is Mezonos.
11. Fruitwise make a range of healthy fruitstraps and mueslis all under the supervision of Kosher Australia. Please contact them at www.fruitwise.com.au to find out where these products are available from.
12. Anyone who’s been to Israel is sure to have sampled a Krembo, or as they’re known to us English speakers, Danish Kisses. These are now manufactured locally and available at local retailers with Kosher Australia certification in packets of 1 dozen and in various flavours. Be sure to check for the Kosher Australia symbol on the packaging.
13. For those who are looking for gluten-free bread mixes, the following brands are Kosher certified – Orgran, Casalare and Well & Good (the latter must carry the Kosher Australia symbol).
14. All Kirk’s drinks have now been checked and are acceptable. We are hoping to formally certify them in the next few months.
15. Vegemite is now kosher approved in all sizes including 40g containers and tubes. We are looking to finalise formal certification shortly.
16. The position of the Kosher Australia Rabbinic Board is that Extra Virgin Olive and Virgin Olive Oil now require proper Kosher certification. Brands that Kosher Australia certify are Ollo, Yellingbo, Boundary Bend, and Pendleton Estate. Other widely available brands are Coles, Graparelli (both carrying the OU symbol) and Bertolli.

Vegemite

Kraft Foods and Kosher Australia are pleased to announce that after several months of collaborative efforts, Kosher approved Vegemite will now be available across all retail jar sizes of Vegemite. This change is being made in conjunction with a change in packaging format for Vegemite. Some existing Vegemite packs including the 175g Kosher approved jar size will by superseded by a range of new jar sizes. In the future Kosher approved Vegemite will be available in the existing 235g size and new 150g, 220g, 400g and 600g packs.

The Kosher approved product will continue to be denoted by a "K" before the 'best before' date and the new jar sizes are expected to be in general distribution by the end of September 2007. During the transition period always check for the "K" designation to ensure you are purchasing the new Kosher approved stock.

Consumers are invited to contact the Kraft Advistory Team on 1800 033 275 or visit www.kraftfoods.com.au with their comments.

Akta Vite

Kosher Australia would like to congratulate Myerton Australia who manufactures Akta Vite. Late 2006 they obtained Kosher certification and new containers of Akta Vite proudly carry the Kosher Australia symbol. Akta Vite is Kosher certified pareve and available in most retail outlets. You can contact Myerton Australia on (03) 9419 8255 or visit the Akta Vite website www.aktavite.com.au.

The Old Colonial Cookie Company

Recently the Old Colonial Cookie Company gained kosher certification for their entire range and have gradually incorporated the Kosher Australia symbol into their packaging. Well done! All their products are Kosher certified dairy (non Cholov Yisroel) and Pas Yisroel. Selected varieties are available at the major supermarkets and duty free stores. Visit www.butterfingers.com.au or call on (03) 9735 0855.

Availability of Golden Circle Juices:

We have received a number of queries re the availability of the Golden Circle juice varieties in the major food retailers. Golden Circle have assured us that their products are well ranged in the supermarkets. However, they recommend the following:

“Any customers who cannot purchase a juice of their choice in their local store, should phone the Woolworths Help Desk on 1300 767 967 (or visit www.woolworths.com.au), or Coles Customer Relations 1800 357 021 (or visit www.coles.com.au) or enquire with the particular store manager. (Preference is for the Help Desk, as this is referred to the Regional Managers).

A store's ranging is generally determined by the size or footage of their juice section. Unfortunately it does not always cater for the local demographics of a particular area.

However, if a store or region receives numerous requests, then sometimes a product can be ‘ranged in’ to a store.”

Missing Kosher symbol on Vita Brits:

For a number of years, a number of Uncle Toby’s products such as Vita Brits have carried the Kosher Australia symbol. Recently with the change of ownership, the packaging artwork has been revamped by Nestle without the Kosher symbol. This was done ‘to reduce clutter’.

Please note that this has no impact on the Kashrus status of the product. VitaBrits, VitaBrits Organic, VitaHoney Malt Weeties, Uncle Toby’s Oats and Vita Weeties remain Kosher-certified pareve even without the logo.

Consumers have been invited by Nestle to call 1800 025 361 or visit www.nestle.com.au to express their opinion.