Kosher Australia - The Promise of the Highest Standard in Kosher Certification

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.

Please note that the next Kosher Kontact will be sent out shortly.

Friday, 15 June 2007, Sivan 29, 5767
IMPORTANT KASHRUS ADVISORY

Lentils, Beans and Peas
In response to recent enquiries and rumours regarding the Kosher status of LENTILS, BEANS, SPLIT PEAS etc we wish to inform Kosher consumers of the following information.

Various brands of packaged split peas and split lentils have been found to be polished with vegetable-based oil whose kosher status is, however, currently questionable and certainly not certified.

Ward McKenzie (who also supplies many other companies) has confirmed that they apply this oil only to the following varieties: Yellow Split Peas; Red Split Lentils and Green Split Peas. These “split” products should therefore not be used pending further investigation and are certainly not of Mehadrin standard.

According to formal information supplied by Ward McKenzie no other of their packaged pea, bean or lentil products is polished with oil or contains any other suspect ingredient.

Accordingly, all McKenzie brand packaged pea, bean and lentil products, other than Yellow Split Peas, Red Split Lentils and Green Split Peas, can be considered as acceptable and of Mehadrin standard.

Kosher Australia will publicise further details and brand names as soon as reliable information is received and properly confirmed.

Clarification Regarding Kosher Australia Policy on Fruit Juices and Soft Drinks
In recent years, the extraordinary advancement and changes occurring in food technology in general and the current tendency to ensure maximum rationalisation and usage of plant and equipment, have impacted in a major way on the kashrus status of items that in earlier times may have been considered as otherwise acceptable in their own right. Recent experience has taught us that previously accepted, general blanket rulings, even on seemingly innocent products, have time and time again simply proven to be inaccurate and/or too generalised due to the discovery of unforseen and unexpected changes in ingredient, production aids and/or the shared usage of equipment with non-kosher items.

For this reason, and in keeping with the formal policy of the vast majority of reliable Kosher certification agencies in North America and Israel, Kosher Australia's policy has been to move away from blanket general endorsement of even seemingly simple items such as dairy products, canned fruits, fruit juices and other beverages, and to formally list as acceptable only those products about which we have definite information.

This policy does not necessarily mean that any particular product not listed or removed from listing in the Kosher Australia Food Bulletin may not be acceptable. While this may certainly be the case in some clearly publicised situations, in others it may simply be that in the absence of definite information regarding a particular product or its production details we cannot, and will not, formally approve such items.

The recent announcement issued by Kosher Australia regarding various fruit juices is simply a restatement of a cautious policy regarding fruit juices and beverages in general that was adopted and publicised by Kosher Australia a number of years ago. The restatement of the policy now was prompted by the unfortunate, recent refusal of a major fruit juice company to continue to co-operate in providing formal detailed information or assurances regarding their current ingredients, production methods and equipment usage in an industry that has shown a tendency in recent years to use unacceptable ingredients and shared equipment. Unacceptable ingredients can include not just questionable flavours, (for which post facto (“bedieved”) rulings have recently been publicised in some circles) but also include the increasing prevalence of the ad hoc use of uncertified, imported Israeli juices and concentrates which, unfortunately, according to clear advice from the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, cannot be accepted as Kosher (even “bedieved”) due to the problems of Terumah, Maaser, Orlah (and, next year, Shemita) that they say applies to all fruits and juices exported from Israel without specific, reliable certification.

Some other agencies have been reported as informally providing a more lenient and/or post-facto (‘bedieved’) approach to such situations that, we believe, may be based on the different, less complicated circumstances regarding additives and equipment usage that existed or exists at the time or venue when and where the lenient ruling was formulated. Consumers are of course free to discuss such generalised and lenient rulings with their own Rav or Halachic authority. However, Kosher Australia’s current policy of only formally listing and approving individually investigated products is in keeping with the formal, publicised policy of the vast majority of reliable and accepted, international kosher-certifying agencies – including the major community-based agencies such as the Orthodox Union, the Chicago Rabbinical Council, the Vaad HaKashrus of Baltimore, the OK Laboratories and others.

Kosher Australia remains committed to a conscientious and responsible policy of ensuring the integrity of the information it provides by formally publicising and listing as approved or certified only those items about which it has up-to-date, reliable and specific information that allows precise and up-front approval of each item listed.

Please see the relevant categories in the 2007 Kosher Australia Food Bulletin for a full list of the many fully investigated, approved and certified locally produced fruit juices and other beverages that are readily available in local supermarkets and other retail outlets.

Fresh Strawberry Usage
Reports of extraordinary infestation in current strawberry crops in the USA and elsewhere have recently been circulated internationally. Information has now been received concerning strawberries grown in Australia (which is generally less prone to the kinds of infestation regularly found in overseas fruits and vegetables). This information, that has been confirmed by local testing carried out in recent days under our auspices, has not revealed any discernable change in the rate or form of infestation of Australian strawberries.

Consequently Australian grown strawberries may continue to be used until further notice provided the normal checking process is carried out conscientiously.

This includes cutting off the green leafy top (taking the top of the actual strawberry flesh with it) followed by a thorough rinsing and cleaning of the strawberries in running water. This should be followed by visual inspection for any remaining thrips and aphids (which are readily discernable to the naked eye) and further rinsing should be carried out , if required, until the strawberries are clearly infestation free. Any spoiled or rotten part of the strawberry should be cut away and discarded - as should any mouldy or spoiled whole berries. Particular care should be taken to properly inspect and clean any crevasses or folds on the strawberry surface. (Please see the 2007 Kosher Australia Food Bulletin p197).

(Hint: The green, yellow or brown little mounds, (sometimes referred to as the strawberry’s “seeds” but technically known as “achenes”) that often have a short black hair-like protrusion at the bottom, that are found dotted over the outside strawberry surface, are a natural part of the strawberry itself and should not be mistaken for infestation.)

Fresh Garlic Usage
Reports have been received and confirmed concerning recent infestation in some locally available garlic. This infestation generally does not involve the inside of the garlic cloves but the areas between each individual clove. The bugs concerned are small and black but are readily discernable to the naked eye. As a consequence it is highly recommended that all garlic cloves be broken up and the cloves separated and inspected before removal of the outside skin of the clove(s) to be used. Any infestation found can readily be washed away in cold running water.

Kosher Australia continues to monitor current fruit and vegetable crops and will issue further announcements if and as applicable.

Rabbi Mordechai Gutnick
Rabbinic Administrator

April 20, 2007
Re Kosher Approved Fruit Juices

Dear Kosher Consumer,

In the 2007 Kosher Australia Food Bulletin you will have noticed some significant changes to those juices that Kosher Australia approves as Kosher.

1. Golden Circle brands of juices (Golden Circle, Original Juice Company & Popper) are now approved. (Please note that GC juice varieties not listed below are NOT approved.)

2. A number of Sunraysia juices, particularly Cranberry Juice are now approved. (Please note that Sunraysia juice varieties not listed below are NOT approved.)

3. Berri brands of juices (Berri, Just Juice, Prima, Australian Fresh, Valencio, Sunny Boy, & Zooper Dooper) are no longer approved – note that the Daily Juice Company (another Berri brand) has never been approved.

4. The global Kosher approval of pure juices has been removed as FSANZ (Food Standards Australia New Zealand) allow companies to use ‘add back’ ingredients without listing those ingredients on the label – thus a ‘pure’ juice may not be pure. There are also concerns with production equipment being shared with non-kosher or dairy production. Lastly, some companies use Israeli juice concentrates that have not had the appropriate tithing or use Orla fruit.

To assist consumers we have listed the approved juices below as at 20/4/07. Those marked with a # are Kosher certified. Kosher Australia recommends that where possible Kosher certified products should be used.

Please note that the Rabbinic Board of Kosher Australia only approve juices that have been investigated.

BACO’S APPLE TREE:
# Apple & Banana Juice
# Apple & Blackcurrant Juice
# Apple & Guava Juice
# Apple & Mango Juice
# Apple & Orange & Mango Juice
# Apple & Passionfruit Juice
# Apple & Pineapple Juice
# Apple & Tropical Juice
# Cloudy Apple Juice

CLASSICS 350ML (MADE BY ORIGINAL JUICE):
Apple Blackcurrant Juice
Apple Juice
# Apple Mango Banana Juice
# Orange & Mango Juice
# Orange Juice
# Pineapple Juice
# Tomato Juice
Tropical Juice

GEOFF’S VANTASTICS: For delivery call (03) 9558 7171 / 0407 740 577
# All products including, Fresh squeezed Fruit and Vegetable juices in 300 ml and 1 litre size

GOLDEN CIRCLE:
# Fruit Smoothie – Apple Guava Pine & Coconut 750ml
# Fruit Smoothie – Orange Mango & Passionfruit
# Healthy Life – Apple Carrot Ginger Juice, Prune Juice in 1L size

250ml Tetrapak Golden Circle:
Apple Blackcurrant Fruit Drink
# Apple Juice
# Golden Pash Fruit Drink
# Mango Nectar
# Orange Fruit Drink
# Pineapple Juice

750ml (Plastic Bottle) Fruit Smoothie Golden Circle:
# Fruit Smoothie – Apple Guava Pine & Coconut 750ml
# Fruit Smoothie – Orange Mango & Passionfruit

1l Tetrapak Golden Circle:
Apple Blackcurrant Fruit Drink
# Apple Juice
# Golden Pash Fruit Drink
Orange Fruit Drink
# Pacific Fruits Fruit Drink
# Pineapple Juice
Premium Juice 100% Squeezed Apple Juice
# Premium Juice 100% Squeezed Orange Juice
Premium Juice 100% Squeezed Pineapple Juice

1l (Plastic Bottle) Golden Circle:
# Apple Mango Juice
Apricot Nectar
Breakfast Juice
Guava Nectar
# Mango Nectar
Pine Orange Juice
# Tomato Juice
Unsweetened Pineapple Juice

2l (Gable Top) Premium Chilled Juice Golden Circle:
Breakfast
Cloudy Apple
# Orange
# Orange Pulp Free
Pineapple

2l (Plastic Bottle) Golden Circle:
# Apple Juice
# Apple Mango Juice
Breakfast Juice
# Mango Nectar
# Orange Juice
Pine Orange Juice
Tropical Juice
Unsweetened Pineapple Juice

3l (Plastic Bottle) Golden Circle:
# Apple Mango Juice
Breakfast Juice
# Orange Juice
Pine Orange Juice
Tropical Juice

Canned Juices Golden Circle:
# Pineapple Juice 850ml & 3L
# Pineapple Juice Unsweetened 850ml & 3L

Chilled Juice Golden Circle Plastic Bottle:
Chilled Breakfast Juice 500ml & 2L
Chilled Cloudy Apple Juice 2L
# Chilled Grapefruit Juice 2L
# Chilled Lemon Juice 2L
# Chilled Orange Juice (N.A.S.) 1, 2 & 3L
Chilled Orange Passionfruit Juice 500 ml
Chilled Pineapple Juice 2L
# Chilled Tomato Juice 2L
# Premium Chilled Orange Juice 300 & 500 ml; 2 & 3L
# Pulp Free Chilled Orange Juice 2 & 3L
Strained Chilled Apple Juice 500 ml & 2L

Crush Chilled Drink (2.2l Size) Golden Circle:
# Guava Drink
# Mango Crush

GOULBURN VALLEY:
ONLY the following canned juices are acceptable:
# Apple
# Pear

JUICEMAN 250ML:
Apple Blackcurrant Juice
Apple Juice
# Orange Juice

LAZY LEMON:
Lemon Juice Range

ORCHARD AVE 3L:
Apple Juice
# Orange Juice N.A.S
# Orange Juice Pulp Free
# Pineapple Juice

ORIGINAL JUICE CO:
# Apple Apricot Strawberry Smoothie
# Apple Banana Berry Smoothie
# Black Label Breakfast

Black Label Chilled Juice:
Apple
# Apple Guava
# Apple Lime Lemon
# Apple Pine
# Grapefruit
# Orange

Chilled Juice (In Plastic Containers):
Cloudy Apple Juice
# Grapefruit
# Lemon Juice
# No Added Sugar – Orange Juice
# Orange Juice
# Orange Mango Juice
Orange Passionfruit Juice
Pineapple Juice
# Premium Orange Juice
# Pulp Free Orange Juice
Strained Apple
# Tomato Juice

Portion Control 110ml:
Apple Juice
# Orange Juice
# Pineapple Juice

Premium Chilled Juice (2 Lt Gable Top Cartons):
Premium Breakfast
Premium Cloudy Apple
# Premium Orange Juice
# Premium Orange Mango Juice
# Premium Pulp Free Orange Juice

Premium Juice (1 Lt Tetra Pak):
Premium Apple Juice
# Premium Grapefruit Juice
# Premium Orange Mango Juice
# Premium Pineapple Juice
# Premium Tomato Juice

POPPER:
Popper Juice 125ml & 250ml
# Apple Juice
Apple & Blackcurrant Juice
# Apple & Mango Juice
# Orange Juice
Popper Juice 1l
# Apple Juice
Apple & Blackcurrant Juice
Breakfast Juice
# Orange Juice

PUREHARVEST:
# Apple Concentrate – 250 ml
# Apple Juice Organic – 1 litre UHT
# Orange Juice Organic – 1 litre UHT
# Pear Concentrate – 250 ml

RIVERSIDE FOOD PRODUCTS:
# Apple Juice 100% Organic
# Apricot Juice 100% Organic
# Carrot & Apple Juice Concentrate Organic
# Carrot Juice
# Carrot Juice 100% Organic
# Cherry Juice Organic
# Pear Juice 100% Organic
# Strawberry Juice 100% Organic
# Tomato Juice

SPRING VALLEY:
Apple & Blackcurrant Juice
Apple Juice
Apricot Nectar
Mango & Banana Nectar
Orange & Passionfruit Juice
Orange Juice
Orange Mango Juice
Pineapple Juice
Tomato Juice

SUNRAYSIA:
# Blackcurrant Juice 250ml
# Cranberry Juice 250ml, 500ml, 1lt
# Orange Juice with Juice-icles 250ml
# Pear Juice 250ml, 500ml, 1lt
# Prune Juice 250ml, 500ml, 1lt

NEWLY APPROVED (SUBSEQUENT TO 2007 KOSHER FOOD BULLETIN PUBLICATION) …

NIPPYS (fresh juices only)
# Orange Juice 2 LT, 1LT, 500ml, 300ml
# Orange Juice Unsweetened 2 LT 1LT 500ml, 300ml, 110ml cups
# Orange and Passionfruit Juice 2LT, 500ml, 300ml
# Orange and Mango Juice 2LT, 500ml, 300ml
# Apple Juice 2LT 500ml, 300ml
# Pineapple Juice 2LT 500ml, 300ml
# Apple & Blackcurrant Juice 2LT, 500ml, 300ml
# Tropical Juice 2LT 500ml, 300ml
# Tangy Lemon 2 LT 500ml, 300ml
# Grapefruit Juice 2LT
# Pure Lemon Juice 2LT
# Pure Lime Juice 2LT, 1LT
# Blood Orange Juice 2LT
# Pure Water 500ml
# Spring Water 1.5 LT; 600ml Plain Cap; 600ml Sports Cap