Chodosh Bulletin

[Y. Herman]

CHODOSH BULLETIN 4 DEC 02

The second issue of this season's Guide to Chodosh went to the printer (see 
Dec 3 below). Attached here is a list of the changes and updates to the 
first issue of the Guide for your information. Many of these you have seen 
during periodic updates that I sent out as bulletins to this E mail list. 
Others are new.

SUMMARY OF CHANGES FROM THE PREVIOUS ISSUE OF THE GUIDE

WARNING: Benzy's, Martisco and Unger barley changes. We suggest that you 
consult your Rav or Posek before using these barleys as Yoshon. We do 
recommend these barleys as probably Yoshon if purchased before Oct 5. The 
company refused to release the dating code therefore we can not use package 
codes as a guide.

  The halachic question to ask is the following: The pearled barley 
production has two basic steps: (1) Storage of the harvested barley grain 
in a silo. (2) Packing the barley into the 1 pound packages sold in the 
groceries. Step (1) was completed. Arrangements were made to store a large 
amount of Yoshon barley in a silo under the supervision of a mashgiach. 
Enough barley was stored and sealed by the mashgiach to supply the needs of 
these two companies for the season. Meanwhile, regarding step (2) the 
packing of barley is continuing throughout the winter Chodosh season, 
WTIHOUT ANY JEWISH SUPERVISION. The company guarantees that this barley is 
Yoshon, relying on the assurances of the Gentile managers of Martisco. This 
defines the potential problem area that needs halachic decision: The 
company, located in New York State has available the Yoshon barley stored 
for it in Canada. It can also acquire Chodosh barley, perhaps more easily, 
from closer sources. The Gentile managers of the company claim that no 
Chodosh barley is ever brought into the company facilities. Can we rely on 
the guarantees of the managers without further supervision that no 
available Chodosh barley is used? Ask you Rov of Posek whether this is an 
acceptable arrangement. The change in our recommendation from the first 
issue of the Guide is due to the failure of the company to follow through 
on the promise of a reliable hashgocho for their packing operations as 
well. Rabbi Cohen from Canada was contracted to supervise the first part of 
the production of barley, the storage for Martisco and Unger. That was done 
satisfactorily. However, neither he nor any other mashgiach as of this 
printing, was given the opportunity to supervise the actual packing of the 
individual packages. If there are any changes in this situation, it will be 
announced via the Hot Line news and by E mail.



ADDITIONS AND CHANGES FOR YOSHON PRODUCTS

Amnon Kosher Pizza is Yoshon, without hashgocho for Yoshon. This refers 
both to the wholesale sold in groceries and the retail store at 4814 13th 
Ave. Brooklyn. 718-851-1758.
Barbara Cereals have a date on the package that is 8-9 months after packing.
CANADA: For a completely updated and expanded reproduction of the Toronto 
COR Yoshon Bulletin, see Section 4.13 of this Guide
Ceresota flour, see Heckers below.
Chopsie pizza is Yoshon under the hashgocho of the Star K of Baltimore. The 
kishke is probably not Yoshon at this time.
ConAgra, and Pathmark oats cereals, the revised packing date is Oct 14.
Eden Soy and other beverages, the new code is 1 year after packing. Use the 
Chodosh dates on page 21 of the Guide and add 1 year to get the package 
code. For other Eden products such as pasta, the code for the probable 
Chodosh date of Sept 15 is 2258 (2=year, 258=day of the year). For items 
made in Japan the code is not available.
Empire and Upscale frozen pizza (but NOT pizza bagels) are Yoshon under the 
hashgocho of the O-U.
Empire blintzes are all Yoshon as indicated on package, under the hashgocho 
of Rabbi Yehuda Shain of the Double U Kosher.
Gefen barley is is Yoshon with the package date of Sept 23 01 (note this 
date was supposed to have been the packing date of the Yoshon barley. The 
packer marked the year as 01 by mistake, instead of 02. This barley was 
packed fresh this year and is not held over from last year. It also uses a 
different coding system than barley packed earlier which is also Yoshon. 
That had a date code that was 1 year after packing.)  Soy Sauce and the 
Hoisen Sauce are both Yoshon without hashgocho for Yoshon. Seven Bean 
Soup  is Yoshon. Pancake and Waffle Mix Yoshon whole season. Whole wheat 
matzo, matzo ball mix and matzo meal Yoshon.  Gefen and La Jolla croutons 
are from Israel and are Yoshon. Also Gefen bread crumbs are from Israel and 
are Yoshon.
General Mills cereals come in a great variety. We are relying on you to 
check the ingredients to see if they contain oats, wheat GERM, barley, or 
barley malt. (Note that for General Mills cereals the wheat products other 
than wheat germ, such as wheat, whole wheat flour, wheat starch, wheat 
bran, etc are all Yoshon. The only wheat problem is added wheat germ.) Then 
choose the earliest of the following dates and the appropriate Chodosh 
package code from the table on page xxx. The Chodosh packing dates used are 
for wheat germ-Aug 20, barley (not malted)-Sept 14, oats-Oct 21 (REVISED 
DATE), malt, barley malt, malted barley flour-Jan 15. General Mills/Nestle 
cereals sold in Israel under the O-U hashgocho use American cereal packed 
for Israel. The date on the package when sold in Israel is 1 year after 
packing.
Gold Medal flours. The Guide lists information for factory L. That 
factory's code has changed from L to KC as of Oct. 1. The home baking bread 
flours, and the Hotel & Restaurant (H&R) flour from this factory will be 
Chodosh as of the packing date of Nov 15, code May 15, 2004KC. The Better 
for Wheat Bread flour code is now 18 months after packing. The Gold Medal 
Whole Wheat flour is still dated 6 months after packing.
Goya Barley Chodosh revised packing date is Oct 16, code 028902 (0=not 
important, 289=day of the year, 02=year)
HO oats cereal codes and dates hold for all HO oats cereals.
Hodgson Mills all wheat flours are from winter wheat. The wheat germ and 
wheat bran are also from winter wheat. Similarly all flour mixes use winter 
wheat. However, all noodles and other pastas use spring wheat. The probable 
Chodosh date is Sept 15, code 09 15 2 (09=month, 15 date, 2=year). Wheat 
gluten has the probable Chodosh date of Aug 20, code 02 20 04 (18 months 
after packing.) Oats cereals have a probable Chodosh date of Sept 24, code 
03 24 04 (18 months after packing.)
Heckers and Ceresota flour codes have changed. It is now a straight "best 
if used by" date. The date on the package is 12 months after packing for 
the whole wheat flour and 18 months for the regular unbleached white flour.
J&J Frozen blintzes are all Yoshon, under the hashgocho of Rabbi Yehuda 
Shain of Double-U-Kosher.
Kedem Soup mixes are NOT recommended as Yoshon at this time.
Kemach updates: Farina has a Chodosh  package date of 7/31/04. One pound 
boxes of spaghetti, macaroni and lasagna have a Chodosh package date of 
10/16/03. Large 10 pound boxes of bow ties, egg barley, and noodles with a 
"Z" at the end of package code have a Chodosh date of Oct 16, code 2892 
(289=day of the year, 2=year). Large 10 pound packages of pastas with a "P" 
at the start of the code have a Chodosh date of Oct 28, code P2301 (2=year, 
301=day of the year). Chow Mein noodles have a Chodosh date of Sept 16, 
code 162I (16=day of month, 2=year, I=month in alph. order.)
Landau whole wheat pretzels are Yoshon. Cereals the wheat is Yoshon. Malt 
could be a problem starting Jan 15. Oats are Chodosh starting the packing 
date of Sept 16, code Sept 16 03 (1 year after packing.) Pasta is awaiting 
clarification.
Le Chaim candy bars and all other products under the hashgocho of the 
Mechon L'Horoah of Monsey are Yoshon under hashgocho.
Liebers cereals are Yoshon at least up to Jan 21. Soups are all Yoshon. All 
cake mixes and candies are Yoshon. All cookies without oats are Yoshon. 
Those with oats are Yoshon at least up to the purchase date of Dec 20.
Macabee Mozzarella Sticks are Yoshon under the hashgocho of the O-U. 
However, the pizza is NOT Yoshon. No dating codes given.
Malt-O-Meal cereals. The probable Chodosh packing date for wheat is August 
20. For all oats cereals except Honey Nut Cheerios type is Oct 1. For Honey 
Nut Cheerios the oats packing date is Sept 20. The time between the packing 
date and the date on the package is as follows: Apple Cinnamon Toasted Oats 
and Toasty O's-8 months; Marshmallow Maties, Cocoa Crunch, Colossal Berry 
Crunch, Frosted Toasted Oats-9 months;  Honey Nut Toasted Oats, 
Cocoa-Roos-10 months;  Puffed Wheat, Puffed Rice, Sugar Coated Puffed 
Wheat, Crispy Rice, Corn Flakes, Raisin Bran, 100% Bran Flakes, Sugar 
Frosted Corn Flakes, Fruit & Frosted O's, Apple Jacks, Frosted Spooneys, 
Honey Combs, Sugar Pop Corn-12 months;  Following hot cereals: Chocolate 
Malt-O-Meal, Maple Brown Sugar Apple Cinnamon-15 months; regular hot 
Malt-O-Meal-24 months.
Mother's graham cracker pie crust'. Probable Chodosh date Aug 20, code 2232 
(2=year, 232=day of the year.
Natural Ovens Bakery. The Guide incorrectly lists this as "Natural Ovens of 
Manitoba" In fact this bakery is in Wisconsin and used to be called 
"Natural Ovens of Manitowok". The name is now being changed to Natural 
Ovens Bakery since they are opening a second bakery in Indiana.
New pasta dates and codes: For the following brands Ronzoni, Creamette, San 
Giorgio, American Beauty, Skinner and Prince, the new Chodosh packing date 
is Oct 28, 02. The revised code is 2301 (2=year, 301=day of the year).
Noam Gourmet Onion Rings are Yoshon.
Old City Caffe Burritos are Yoshon under the hashgocho of Rav Weissmandl.
Paskesz pretzels under Rav Gruber's hashgocho state Yoshon on the label. 
However, the malt could be Chodosh if packed in January or later. No dating 
code available.
Pizza Planet, 3005 Ave. K Brooklyn. Only the pizza is Yoshon under the 
hashgocho of Kehila Kashrus. Other items in the store may be Chodosh.
Quaker and Mothers cereals listings in the Guide have been updated and 
revised. See page xxx.
Revised Chodosh packing date for the following brands of pasta is Oct. 1, 
code 10-01-04 (2 years after packing). Pathmark, Luxury, R&F, GlobeA1, 
Anthony, Mrs. Grass, Mueller, Pennylvania Dutch, Ronco, Pasta LaBella
Rokeach soups have a probable Chodosh date for wheat ingredients (including 
noodles) of Aug 20, code 22232 (2=not important, 2=year, 232=day of the 
year.) For barley but no wheat products that probable Chodosh date is Sept 
14, code 22257.
Schindler breaded fish products are Yoshon under the hashgocho of the Star 
K of Baltimore.
Shoprite cereals the probable Chodosh date for wheat is Aug 20, for barley 
it Sept 14. The code is a date which is 12 months after packing for cold 
cereals and 18 months after packing for hot cereals other than oats 
cereals. For hot oats cereals, if the code ends with N then the Chodosh 
date is Oct 1, code Apr 1 2004 (18 months after packing.) If there is no 
"N" in the code then the probable Chodosh date is Sept 14, code, Sept 14, 
2004 (2 years after packing.)
Smackin Good Potato Knishes and Smackin Good Waffles with Chocolate Chips 
crackers are Chodosh at this time. Other waffles are Yoshon at least to Dec 
20, perhaps later. Under the hashgocho of Rav Weissmandl.
The Baker products are probably Chodosh at this time.
Unger cereals are probably not Yoshon at this time.
Weinstock noodles are probably Chodosh at this time.
Yoshon Local Contact revisions: Rabbi Joseph Greenfeld, 26 Cabinfield 
Circle, Lakewood, (732) 364-1979. Rabbi Berel Broyde, 15130 Burton, Oak 
Park, MI, (248) 968-3057.
Zerega pasta, Chodosh date Oct 17, code 2902 (290=day of year, 2=year.)

UPDATES ON RESTAURANTS AND OTHER FACILITIES

American Bagels, 720, W 181 St, New York City, (212) 923-0123. All items 
made on premises are Yoshon, without hashgocho for Yoshon.
Borekas Plus, 1528 Coney Island Ave, Brooklyn is no longer under the 
hashgocho of Kehilah Kashrus. It is now in the category of Yoshon without 
hashgocho for Yoshon.
Butterflake Bake Shop, 441 Cedar Lane. Teaneck, NJ Only breads, rolls and 
challehs are Yoshon under the hashgocho of Rabbi Binyomin Taub of the 
Rabbinical Council of Bergen County (RCBC).
Circa-NY Restaurant, 22 West 33rd St, New York, NY (212) 244-3730. This 
restaurant has many items that are Yoshon. There is a posted sign to 
indicate which items are Yoshon and which are not. For further information, 
ask the full-time O-U mashgiach Rabbi Shia Wurtzberger. (Note that the O-U 
officially only gives a hashgocho for kashrus. Therefore, the mashgiach's 
information on Yoshon will be "unofficial".)
G&I Bakery, both the retail and wholesale are Yoshon without hashgocho for 
Yoshon. The retail store is at 69-40 Main St. Kew Garden Hills, NY (718) 
261-1155. The wholesale breads are available in groceries and are baked at 
130-10 180th St, Springfield Gardens, NY 11434. (718) 481-7000.
Gelbstein Bakery, Clifton Ave, Lakewood, 732-363-3636,  produces Yoshon 
without hashgocho for Yoshon.
Korn and Hirsch Bakery Outlet, 441 Cedar Lane, Teaneck, NJ. All products 
baked on pemises are Yoshon under the hashgocho of Rabbi Binyomin Taub of 
the Rabbinical Council of Bergen County (RCBC). Note that some packaged 
goods in the store that are made elsewhere may be Chodosh.
Korn Retail Bakeries in Brooklyn. The following are owned by Korn (15th Ave 
Food Corp) Wholesale bakeries and are Yoshon under hashgocho for Yoshon of 
the O-K Laboratories: Korn Bakery, 1278 49th St and the bakery sections of 
Moshe's Supermarket, 325 Ave. M., KRM Supermarket and Kosher Palace 
Supermarket. Whatever is printed in the Guide (page 29) for Korn Wholesale 
Bakery also applies to these. The following Korn Retail Bakeries are fully 
Yoshon, but NOT under hashgocho for Yoshon: 5004 16th Ave, (718) 851-0258, 
4106 18th Ave, 851-8015, 5918 18th Ave 621-0595, 914 Kings Highway 
627-2903,  4309 13th Ave 435-2852, plus the bakery section in KDS 
Supermarket 1507 Coney Island Ave 692-0879.
Kosher Pizza Palace, 2816 Ave M, Brooklyn. The pita is also Yoshon.
Mendy's Bakery, at three sites, produces Yoshon without hashgocho for 
Yoshon. These are 2213 65th St. Brooklyn (718) 837-0782, 4611 13th Ave, 
Brooklyn (718) 851-6624 and 72-22 Main St. Flushing, NY (718) 544-8736.
Pizza Planet, 3005 Ave. K Brooklyn. Only the pizza is Yoshon under the 
hashgocho of Kehila Kashrus. Other items in the store may be Chodosh.
Royal Bake Shop, 19-09 Fairlawn Ave. All products are Yoshon under the 
hashgocho of Rabbi Binyomin Taub of the Rabbinical Council of Bergen County 
(RCBC).

****END OF SUMMARY OF CHANGES***
*********************************************************
News as of 3 Dec 03


The second issue of the Guide to Chodosh had been completed and was sent 
today to the printer. We expect the hard copies of the Guide to be mailed 
to the local distributors and individual subscribers sometime next week.
Meanwhile, you can request a copy of the new Guide by E mail. As in the 
past, you can get an unformatted ASCII copy of the Guide by following the 
instructions detailed below. Those interested in General Mills and Quaker 
cereals should also request the two tables that are not in the unformatted 
Guide, as shown below.
Now, for the first time, we are offering on an experimental basis a 
formatted version of the Guide by E mail, in the PDF format. This file can 
only be read if you have the free Acrobat reader (available from 
www.adobe.com/acrobat.) This preserves most of the format of the full, 
printed Guide. The page layout is slightly altered, so that the table of 
contents and the index may be off by 1-2 pages. This version is also 
available to you free of charge on the condition that if you print it out 
it should be for your own use only, that you do not distribute it to 
others. To request this send an E mail to yherman at earthlink.net and request 
the "PDF version of the Guide". The file that you will get is large, about 
304 KB in size. Make sure that your E mail system allows such large 
attachments to received mail messages.

Y. Herman
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available:

get Guide.txt
This gets the unformatted E mail version of the current Guide to Chodosh

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This gets the cereal tables for Quaker and General Mills that can not be 
read in the Guide.txt received from the previous command.

get Guidelines.txt
This gets a long report on Guidelines to Mashgichim on Chodosh. This has 
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