What are contemporary approaches regarding dealing with bug infestation of dates? Do Kashrut agencies (e.g. the Orthodox Union) regularly inspect crops to determine infestation levels? And if so, what are the statistics used to be lenient (miut she'eino matzuy)? I keep finding insects in Medjool dates (Mehadrin brand from Israel) that I get at Costco: its packaging has an OU but does not indicate a need for checking.
-
what about classical opinions?– Double AA ♦Feb 27, 2015 at 1:12
-
Dried figs also encounter the same problem, and they're usually worse. The OU certification clarifies that the processing itself was kosher and sufficient for standard use. It in no way gaurantees that there are no insects of any kind in the product. That would be pretty much impossible.– Isaac KotlickyFeb 27, 2015 at 12:56
-
Even assuming they're not guaranteeing that there are no insects, are they saying that there is no chiyyuv bedikah because they have ascertained in advance that the infestation level does not reach miut hamatzuy/muchzak b'tolaim or are they just assuming their certification doesn't imply any achrayus on their part?– LoewianFeb 27, 2015 at 16:32
-
1The certification just shows that the processing was consistent with kosher requirements, not that the insects are bug free. The only time certification means the latter is where by default the object is kosher but subject to infestation, I.e.: bagged salad, frozen broccoli, etc.– Isaac KotlickyMar 1, 2015 at 13:41
-
@IsaacKotlicky So does that mean they are certifying that you don't have a halachik obligation to check the dates? Also, what are you basing this on?– LoewianMar 1, 2015 at 18:49
|
Show 3 more comments