The OK Kosher certification, headed by Rabbi Don Yoel Levy, has released the following statement on Friday, December 5, 2014:
OK Kosher stands behind the kosher status of all Tropicana juices bearing the OK symbol.
In response to recent reports relating to Tropicana juices, the OK tested the juices and also had them tested by an independent and knowledgeable posek, and all agreed that there are no halachic kashrus issues.
In addition an independent laboratory tested the juices and found no traces of insects.
As always, consumers can rest assured that any product bearing the OK symbol is kosher without compromise.
Many HONEST hechsherim companies have announced that pure OJ does NOT need ANY hechsher and is even Kosher L’Pessach!!
Of course “some” hechsherim companies have a business interest in disagreeing – but they have a CONFLICT and a NEGIAH to take the position that it is “better” if pure OJ has a hechsher. I think their negiah makes them possul l’eidus on this issue!!
years ago it was accepted to use 100% juice without a hechsher, and in some places in Europe even nowadays.
however from experience we have found that in addition to additional ingredients which are not reported on a 100% juice label, the equipment in most cases are shared with non kosher drinks, such as dairy, grape or carmine.
without a proper kashering the 100% juice is 100% non kosher.
We just need to be educated on what to look for in the ingredients… If it’s 100% fruits, with no grapes.. Then no problem !
I live in a place of shlichus, where we buy “non-kosher” plastic plates, “non-kosher” juices, “non-kosher” cereals… Pastas… We just get an education on what we are allowed to buy, from a very young age…
In our kosher store, you can find cheese, milk, oil, chocolates, cookies…. Those products that actually need to be kosher…
From seeing the hechtsher on Tropican oj, I then assumed wrongly that all Tropican oj flavors are kosher.
The Tropican “orange, strawberry, banana” flavor is NOT kosher. It is made with cochineal (an insect) extract (for color).
So I’m glad all of Tropicana is being watched by OK, because maybe the kelim for the insect batch might also be used by Tropicana for the non-insect batch without them thinking about kashrus.
I myself have seen Orange juice (off Brands not Tropicana) OU D It was Milchig.
If CRC of Chicago states you don’t need a Hechsher on OJ then they are not reliable on any product
For all those wondering about comment No. 1. Check out what the cRc (Chicago Rabbinical Council) has to say: “All orange juice is acceptable as long as there are no
added kosher sensitive ingredients such as colors or
flavors or other juices.”
The Shulchan Aruch says that we don’t jump to assume that there are problems (ein machazikim isura).
Kosher and certified in our day and age are two different things. Your wife’s kitchen is kosher but not certified. People want to be sure that want to they consume is kosher certified. Emphasize on certified
#1 lives in fantasy world where he would think that 100% apple juice and maple syrup years ago
need no heksher…not realizing that pig fat was used a natural defoamer…
Your ignorance about todays’ Kashrus issues is astounding. Not only are you 100% wrong, I am ready to explain myself to you. I only hope you are ready to listen. Todays production lines do much more than just one kind of juice. Today one factory can do iced tea, tomorrow clamato the day after wine/grape products and then they can do your so called 100% orange juice. They pasturize all their products, and that means they are bringing them above yad soledes bo. If the machines are not kashered properly, your so called juice is made in traife keilim. Secondly,… Read more »
Maybe the Original Orange Juice doesn’t need a hechsher, but the 10’s of Orange Juices that Tropicana sells with different flavors and vitamins do.
If you look at the carton it says pasteurized. Most companies will pasteurize milk or grape on the same equipment. Therefore any juice must have a hechsher if it is pasturiezed. Some Apple juice even has gelatin added to clarify the juice.
“100% OJ” still allows for a minimal (less the 1%) of other juices, like grape juice. As well as other other questionable foods that the different vessel/containers may have had residue of. So the Hechsher is needed.
Such as telling poland springs nature water needs a Hescher to make $
Let the Kashrus places tell them they dont need…..
Most items do not need a Hechsher… such as all non edible things like paper plates and tin foil
Its a all a business.
100% orange juice does not require a hechsher, so the real question is what does it matter what the OK has to say about this particular issue? They charge Tropicana for hashgocha when the product is completely kosher with no hechsher. As further proof that we can ignore the hechsher on 100% orange juice, consider the fact that even when people find bugs in the juice… it’s still kosher!