Jerusalem Kosher News

Chief Rabbinate of Israel
Fraud Division
Kashrut Alert – 020
July 15, 2009
23 Tammuz  5769

Muscat Lunch Bar Restaurant
During an inspection of the Muscat Lunch Bar Restaurant, 24 Ta’as Street, Kfar Saba, unidentified lamb fat was discovered. After questioning those in charge, inspectors learned the lamb fat was not kosher. As a result, the eatery’s kashrut certification was immediately revoked.  

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XL Energy Drink (6 pack)
The energy drink six pack (barcode 5906485301067), imported by the Kashmash LTD Company, 03-561-9778, displays kashrut certifications from three kashrut organizations; OK Lab, Rav Schlesinger from Strasburg and Igud HaRabbonim (KIR) Rav Yaakov Westheim. The individual cans of the beverage do not exhibit any kashrut certification. These can are bogus and should not be used. The beverage is imported legally by the SIDS Company with an OK supervision. One must be vigilant when purchasing to ensure one buys the legitimate kosher product and not the imposter. The Rabbinate Fraud Division is taking action against the Kashmash LTD Company.  (See photo 2 in the Hebrew original below to identify the product)

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Nes L’café – Home Baked Goods
An inspection of Gush Dan area grocery stores turned up the product labeled “Nes L’café – Home Baked Goods” (barcode 7290001459096), with the label stating under the supervision of the Yavne Rabbinate and Mehadrin Chug Chatam Sofer Bnei Brak. The certification claims are bogus. (See photo 3 on the right side of the Hebrew original below to identify the product label).

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Tavlinim Yeruchim
An inspection conducted by Chief Rabbinate officials of the herbs and vegetables labeled as ‘insect-free’ ‘shomer shabbos factory’ under the label Tavlinim Yeruchim (phone 050-835-6863) does not have any supervision from the Chief Rabbinate and it should not be used. (See photo number 4 on the left side of the Hebrew original document below to identify the label).

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Waldorf Health Bars
Waldorf health bars [imported by City Sport Kfar Saba 03-766-3657) is marketed under a number of different flavors and varieties, including a 29 gram strawberry yogurt protein bar (barcode 749826000046), a 31 gram chocolate peanut butter bar (49826125602), Matricks, peanut base with chocolate flakes and caramel (barcode 786560149501, a chocolate flavored bar (barcode 749826125688). The health bars, containing “vitamins and minerals” exhibit a Triangle K supervision fro those who eat “Akum milk powder and gelatin”. It has been learned the factory does not have any supervision and the bars may contain non-kosher ingredients such as collagen, derived from a meat source. The product is seen primarily in health food stores. (See photo 5 left in the original Hebrew document below for a view of the bars)

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Absrect Catering – Haifa
The Haifa Rabbinate reports a firm called Absrect Catering (052-640-2264) is advertising itself as kosher under the supervision of the Haifa Rabbinate. The firm exhibits a photocopied kosher certificate at times. In actuality, it does not have any kashrut supervision from the Haifa Rabbinate and one may not hold a wedding in the caterer’s facility.

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Rosh HaNikra Restaurant – Matte Asher Rabbinate
The restaurant, also advertising itself as Mevashelet Rosh HaNikra, is not under the rabbinate’s supervision as of January 2009.

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Chaim Dahan Butcher Shop – 11 Jabotinsky Street – Ramle (08-924-0896)
The store does not have kosher supervision and the kashrut certificate stating it enjoys the supervision of the Ramle Rabbinate is fraudulent. (photo 8 on the right side of the Hebrew original document below)

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Pitted Green Olives from Pri Golan
Pitted green olives (barcode 7290002854) is being marketed under the mehadrin supervision of Chug Chatam Sofer Petach Tikvah and the Chief Rabbinate’s National supervision, also labeled “heter mechirah – kosher for Passover” is actually under the Chief Rabbinate National supervision, not mehadrin, and heter mechira as indicated. (photo 9 right side in Hebrew original displayed below)

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Bakala (Cod) Fish Alert
Young Bakala Fish sold whole without heads are extremely insect/bug infested. Consumers are urged to only purchase fish with a reliable kashrut hechsher.

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Danny Daniel Meats are Approved Again – 7 Chartzit St. Kfar Saba (09-748-8380)
The Chief Rabbinate reports Danny Daniel meat products are once again approved, adding consumers and retailers should only buy products bearing kashrut certification and accompanied by appropriate shipping documentation.

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Candy Alert – Rambam Hechsher, France
Candies distributed by Sijlin LTD )19 HaMerkava Street, Holon industrial area), are marked under the supervision of Chug Rambam, France, is being imported without authorization from the Chief Rabbinate and therefore, the product should not be used.

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HaMutag Potato Burekas Bis –
HaMutag Potato Burekas Bis found in Rami Levy HaShikma supermarkets does not make any mention of being dairy on the front, only on the rear of the product. In addition, they are the standard rectangular shape, associated with the parve burekas. The product does not bear a local rabbinate supervision, but does state Yoreh Deah – Rav Machpud. Due to the fact the product does not conform with standard kashrut regarding the shape and it being dairy, the factory has committed to immediately halt the current production line and make necessary adjustments to avoid misleading consumers.

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RESTAURANT UPDATES
MAALE YOSEF:
Ta’am V’Reiach Restaurant- Moshav Ein Yaakov – kashrut revoked

MODI’IN REGION:
Shemen Bar Yochai, Moshav Bet Ariff, Mesech 78 – kashrut revoked

TEL AVIV:
Shwarma Shuli – 105 Dizengoff St. – kashrut revoked
Abe Restaurant – 14 Yad HaCharuztim St. – kashrut revoked
Boris Bakery – 123 Levensky Street – kashrut revoked
Taboon King George Restaurant – 53 King George St. – advertises as kosher but does not have Tel Aviv Rabbinate supervision.

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SHOFAR ALERT
Following is a notification is being published on behalf of the Tel Aviv Judaica supervision officials. Of late, many shofarot are being imported, primarily from Morocco, manufactured by non-Jews, without kosher supervision. During the manufacture, some of the shofarot are cracked or damaged, and substances are used to repair the damage and while this may not be visible, they are not kosher for performing the mitzvah. The public is urged to only purchase shofarot with a kashrut supervision. Rabbonim are also asked not to grant supervision to any shofarot if they are not totally familiar with the manufacture process. For additional information, one may call Rav Aryeh Levine Shlita, who heads the Tel Aviv Judaica and Shatnez Division (03-693-8928).

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Rabbi Yaakov Sabag
Chief of Kashrut Division
Rabbi Rafi Yochai
Chief of National Kashrut Fraud Prevention
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