The Chicago Rabbinical Council (cRc) presents 10 kashrus questions that were answered in August 2013:
Q: Does toasted nori (seaweed) require a hechsher?
A: No, toasted nori does not need a hechsher, but a cursory inspections against a light should be made to make sure there are no seahorses or mini-shrimp present.
Q: Does whey powder require a hechsher?
A: Yes, whey powder requires a hechsher.
Q: What is the cRc’s policy regarding waiting 6 hours after hard cheese to eat meat? Does it make a difference if the cheese is melted?
A: Some varieties of hard cheeses require one to wait 6 hours afterwards to eat meat. A common example is Parmesan cheese. If the hard cheese is melted, the cRc policy is that one does not need to wait 6 hours.
Q: Does pure vanilla extract require a hechsher?
A: Extracts can be made by soaking items in alcohol. Being that alcohol can be a kosher sensitive ingredient, pure extracts require a hechsher.
Q: I received roasted coffee beans as a gift from my new neighbor. Do they need a hechsher?
A: Unflavored roasted coffee beans do not need a hechsher.
Q: Does honey require a hechsher?
A: The cRc has found that companies can heat honey to aid in the packaging process of retail honey. Based on these findings, the cRc recommends purchasing retail honey with a reliable kosher certification.
Q: Does silver polish require a hechsher?
A: No, all metal polishes, including silver polish, do not need a hechsher.
Q: I saw a recent cRc alert regarding red cabbage, that currently the cRc recommends removing and discarding the outer four leaves. Are there any concerns with pre-washed packaged red cabbage?
A: No, there are no concerns, and pre-washed red cabbage can be purchased without a hechsher.
Q: What is the proper bracha on quinoa?
A: The bracha on quinoa is ha’adamah.
Q: Does Stevia require a hechsher?
A: Yes, the processed Stevia available in stores requires a hechsher.
To receive email kashrus alerts, send your name and email address to: [email protected]. For more FAQs, visit CRCweb.org
just a question, how do the crc and other hechsherim check for microscopic pieaces of sea horses and mini shrimp?
I’ve never heard of such a thing! How does that end up in seawed wraps???
It sounds like you are insinuating that the CRC is not a competent Rabbinate. But, you sure sound like you know it all!
YES YOU CAN SEE SEAHORSES IN NORI SEAWEED,JUST AS IMPORTANT IS THE QUALITY OF THE OF THE PRODUCT,EVERYTHING HAS TO BE CHECKED TODAY,NO JOKE,IT WORTH IT BECAUSE G-D’S SAYS SO THAT WHY
The CRC uses twitter and is very responsive in answering kashrus questions posed to them. But please be aware that their opinions are not always in accord with the opinions of the Alter Rebbe on all matters, so please check their answer with your local Chabad Rav if necessary.
Afe these halochos according to the Alter Rebbe and Rabbi Chayim No’eh?
Please can we see more columns like this ?
They would not be chopped up. They would be whole, pressed into the nori, and easily visible to the eye. Just look at each sheet before you use it, that’s all. If you see something that from its shape doesn’t belong there, throw it out.
parmesan cheese is 6 hours regardless if eaten cold (salad) or hot, these are the opinions of the crc as The Rebbi said many times ,”ask a competent rabbi!!!”
Yey!
I saw bulk packs of seaweed at a chinese version of the kollel store, same brand as in the kosher stores but without the kosher label at a fraction of the price (since it was bulk)
Is #4 responding to #3 ?
Thank you.
How is that possible?
Chopped up sea horses would be green powder?
And, mini-shrimp need a microscope.
So, how do people see what they look like on a sheet of nori – toasted seaweed..?
Thanks!
Saschutzman @ gmail.com
Thank you.
does plain dry quinoa need a hechsher?
Are the toasted seaweed….. Slightly salted….that are sold in Trader Joe’s …without a hechsher on package ..kosher to eat?