Update from the Guide to Chodosh

[Y. Herman]

*CHODOSH BULLETIN-19 NOV 08*

*From the Guide to Chodosh-Y. Herman*

*Chodosh telephone Hot Line 718-305-5133, email **yherman at earthlink.net* 
<mailto:yherman at earthlink.net>**

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The PDF version of the new Guide is now available from both the usual 
sites. (Some people reported problems with the moruda site.) The first 
issue of the Guide had the introductory material in the preface and the 
first sections, at the beginning of the Guide. This introductory portion 
has not changed with the publication of the second issue of the Guide. 
Therefore, the new Guide only contains the updated version of the second 
part of the Guide. This contains all of the product and establishment 
information.

To download the second issue of the Guide, the main, updated portion, 
*_do not send_* the email request to me, yherman at earthlink.net 
<mailto:yherman at earthlink.net>. Rather, send a blank email to ONE of the 
following addresses chodosh at sefer.org <mailto:chodosh at sefer.org> or to 
chodosh at moruda.com <mailto:chodosh at moruda.com>.

Part One of the Guide, the part that was not updated from the first 
issue is only available at one site. For this send a blank email to 
chodosh-intro at sefer.org <mailto:chodosh-intro at sefer.org>.

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The second issue of the Guide to Chodosh has gone to the printer. It 
should be available in front of my house at 20 Sylvan Road, Monsey 
approximately Sunday, Nov 23. The local distributors of the Guide in 
various cities, as well as the individual paid subscribers should 
receive it by mail during the week of Nov 23.

Below is a summary of the new items in the second issue of the Guide:


    ANNUAL MALT REMINDER

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For the second year in the row, malt has started to become a problem 
earlier than in the past years, as early as the manufacturing or packing 
date of Oct 15. That means that packaged items whose dating code 
indicates that it was packed on Oct. 15 or later, may contain Chodosh 
malt. However, when dating codes are not known, we believe that you can 
rely on the assumption that anything purchased up to Jan. 15 should 
still use only Yoshon malt. (These dates are 2 months earlier than the 
dates that we have used during most of the earlier years.)

The following applications of malt pose a problem of Chodosh. Malt is 
used for several purposes. Foods using malt for _flavoring_ or _coloring 
_should not be used if packed after Oct 15 since that malt may be 
Chodosh. That includes cereals flavored with malt such as Corn Flakes 
and Rice Crispies. ? *Pretzels* The Guide has always warned that 
pretzels conain malt that may be Chodosh. In fact, not all pretzels 
contain malt. If the ingredients do not list malt, then it can be 
assumed that the pretzels are Yoshon, _if they do not contain whole 
wheat flour or oats_. This is since the usual wheat flour used in 
_crunchy (not soft chewy)_ pretzels is from winter wheat.* *If they do 
contain malt, then they may still until the purchase date of Jan 15. We 
do not have any package dating codes for pretzels at this time.

There are specialty vinegars such as malt vinegar, terragon vinegar and 
salad vinegar which are made with high concentrations of malt. However, 
the vinegar used in almost all food products, also known as 
“manufacturers white vinegar” does not have any Chodosh problems. 
Therefore, the following common products should be free of Chodosh: 
ordinary household vinegar, and condiments such as ketchup, mayonnaise, 
mustard, pickles, etc.

Thus far we have discussed malt used as flavoring or coloring. However, 
there is another frequent use of malt. It is used in most baking flours 
for their chemical reaction, which allows the flour to react with the 
yeast and water so that the dough should rise properly. We have received 
/psak halochos/ several years ago that baking flour is not a problem so 
far as the malt content is concerned. This includes baking flour that 
lists barley malt in the ingredients. (For some baking flours we have 
included dating codes, as we do for many other products, for those who 
do not want to rely on this /psak/ that this malt may be used.)

_In summary_. if you know the dating code for an item that has a malt 
problem, then you should avoid that item if the dating code indicates 
that it was *packed* on or after Oct. 15. If the dating code is not 
known, then we recommend that the item would probably still be Yoshon if 
purchased up to Jan. 15. These dates are 2 months earlier than the dates 
we were able to rely on up to 2 years ago.


    ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS TO THE FIRST ISSUE OF THE GUIDE

*? **Adirim* noodles, farfel and other pasta Yoshon under the hashgocho 
of Rabbi S. Gissinger.

*? **America’s Choice* products sold in A&P, Waldbaum, Food Emporium and 
Pathmark have the same code. So far the following are known: baking 
flour and barley Chodosh code is Aug 1 09 (1 year after packing.) For 
pasta the code is Aug 16 09. Other codes such as cereals are not yet known.

*?** Bagel DeLox*, 421 Rt 59, Monsey, NY. Yoshon under the hashgocho of 
Rabbi Steinmetz.

*? **Beigel’s Bakery*, maker of wholesale breads and other baked 
products. Most items are Yoshon under the hashgocho of the OK Labs even 
without a Yoshon label. Exception is 6-grain and other multigrain 
breads. (Care should be taken that products sold at groceries without 
any label at all not be confused with such products from other bakeries.)

*? **CRC (Chicago Rabbinical Council)* has a policy of making sure that 
the malt used in all of their Yoshon certifications is also Yoshon. 
(This should not be confused with the CRC (Central Rabbinical 
Congress-Hisachdus that does not certify Yoshon at all.)

*? **Cream of Wheat* farina made by BG Foods. The Chodosh code is Aug 1, 
2010 (2 years after packing.)

*? **Dependable* update: Following pasta products are Yoshon under the 
hashgocho of Rabbi B. Taub: Flat medium noodles code 233832Z and 
233833Z. Medium noodles code 255832Z and 269-8312/22. Egg barley codes 
141802Z, 3038022,B783, 3058211. Puff pastry dough, code numbers 782807, 
78280/17, 782817. Regular and whole wheat wraps dated Oct. 10 08 and Oct 
13 08.

*? **Franczoz* Weisel germinated and Weisel whole wheat breads with a 
Yoshon label are Yoshon under the hashgocho of the KAJ, even without KAJ 
on the package. However the Franczoz 10-grain bread, even with a Yoshon 
label is not recommended since there is no hashgocho for Yoshon.

*? Gefen corn flake crumbs* without malt in the ingredients are Yoshon.

*? **General Mills* Cookie Crisp cereal Chodosh code is 372 days after 
packing.

*? **Glick’s* flour is Yoshon when _both_ an O-U and Yoshon labels are 
printed on the package, under the hashgocho of the O-U.

*? **Gold Medal* Whole Wheat flour, the Chodosh code is Feb 1 09 (6 
months after packing.)

*? Golden Bowl* won ton wraps not recommended as Yoshon due to lack of 
information.

*? **Heckers *whole wheat flour. The date on the package is supposed to 
be 1 year after packing. However, by mistake, one batch of flour was 
made with a code that is 18 months after packing. Due to possible 
confusion, this whole wheat flour is not recommended this year.

*? **Kemach* egg noodles in 1 pound packages sold after Oct 15 are to be 
assumed to be Yoshon only with a Yoshon label. Kemach elbow macaroni, 
spaghetti and lasagna in 1 pound packages have a Chodosh code of Oct 15 
10 (2 years after packing.) (The company just recently switched from a 
code that was 1 year after packing to a code that is 2 years after 
packing.) Noodles in 10 pound packages and pasta in 20 pound packages 
have a Chodosh date of Oct 15 2008, code 2888 31Z (288=day of the year, 
8=year, 31Z=not important. Chow mein noodles Chodosh packing date Aug 22 
08, code 2208H (22=day, 08=year, H=month in alph. order.) Malt code for 
cereals is Jan 1 2010. Regular flat bread Chodosh code Nov 1 09, whole 
wheat flat bread Chodosh code Sept 1 09.

*? **Kineret* products from Israel are Yoshon. The onion rings are 
confirmed Chodosh at this time. Other Kineret products may also be 
Chodosh. No further information is available.

*? **Klein’s* ice cream products are all Yoshon under the hashgocho of 
Rabbi Eckstein.

*? **Kosher Deluxe Restaurant*, 10 West 46^th St, New York City. Only 
bakery items and the flour in items made at the store are Yoshon. Other 
items, including pasta, fried items, barley may be Chodosh. Under the 
hashgocho of Rabbi Avrohom Roth.

*? **Kosherific* fish sticks are Yoshon under the hashgocho of Rav 
Weissmandl. On other Kosherific products, no information available.

*? **La Choy* chow mein noodles the Guide states that the code is 6 
months after packing. The company still claims the 6 month code. 
However, at least one consumer has reported seeing a package clearly 
indicating that this code is wrong. Due to this confusion, this product 
is not recommended as Yoshon pending clarification.

*? **Liebers *cookies, crackers and snackers are all Yoshon unless they 
contain oats, under the hashgocho of Rabbi Weissmandl.

*? **Malt-O-Meal* Honey Nut Scooters cereal. The Chodosh code is May 26 
09 (10 months after packing.)

*? **Manischewitz* soups. With barley, the Chodosh code is 2140 (214=day 
of the year, 0=year+2). Without barley but with noodles or pasta, the 
Chodosh code is 2290. Noodles and pasta the code is 2290.

*? **Oat Dream* liquid from the makers of Rice Dream. The Chodosh code 
is Jul 26 09 (1 year after packing.)

*? **Old City Café* products are Yoshon under the hashgocho of the O-U 
and Rabbi Weissmandl. The exception is Old City Café macaroni and cheese 
that is only under the O-U and has a Chodosh code of 2148 (214=day of 
year, 8=year.)

*? **Ostrowizky Heimishe Bakery* all items except 6-grain bread are 
Yoshon under the hashgocho of Rabbi Kahana.

*? **Ostreicher* baked products may be Chodosh at this time. The company 
plans to start producing a new Yoshon line of cookies. However, at the 
time of this printing, the arrangements and hashgocho have not been 
verified yet.

*? **Paskesz* rice cakes under the hashgocho of Rav Westheim are always 
Yoshon, as are all items under Rav Westheim

*? **Pretzels.* The Guide has always warned that pretzels conain malt 
that may be Chodosh. In fact, not all pretzels contain malt. If the 
ingredients do not list malt, then it can be assumed that the pretzels 
are Yoshon, since the wheat flour used in _crunchy (not soft chewy)_ 
pretzels is from winter wheat.

*? **Pringles* potato chips. The Guide gives a Chodosh date if the 
ingredients contain wheat. The same date should be used if they contain 
wheat starch.

*? **Quaker* cereals. The Chodosh date for 540 days and wheat/barley 
should be Jan 30 10. Quaker hot oats cereals made in Canada and sold in 
the USA, the Chodosh code is March 9 2010 (540 days after packing.)

*? **Royal* tuna fish spread may contain bread crumbs that may be Chodosh.

*? **Samuel Adams* beer Chodosh code Mar 15 2009 (5 months after 
packing.) Under the hashgocho of the Star-K of Baltimore.

*? **Shrem’s Bakery*, Cornwall, NY. All items Yoshon under the hashgocho 
of Rabbi Lipa Klein.

*? **Smackin Good* knishes and waffles are Yoshon. Other products, no 
information. Under the hashgocho of Rav Weissmandl.

*? **Smunchies* allergy-free baked goods made in Monsey, NY, are Yoshon 
under the hashgocho of the O-U.

*? **Tofutti *Cuties should read: Chodosh code Aug 1=2148(214=day of the 
year, 8=year)

*? **Unger’s* pizza crust has the Chodosh code of Jan 2 09. The frozen 
pie shell and tart shell have the Chodosh code of 08255 (08=year, 
255=day of the year.) Under the hashgocho of the Beis Din of New Square. 
(Note: Some packages do not have any dating code printed on them. These 
can not be recommended as Yoshon without a dating code.)

*? **Weiss Kosher Bakery*, Brooklyn. All items Yoshon under the 
hashgocho of the OK Labs, even without a Yoshon label. (Care should be 
taken that products sold at groceries without any label at all not be 
confused with such products from other bakeries.)

*?** Won Ton* Food Co. Won-ton crackers not recommended as Yoshon due to 
lack of information.

*? **Yossie’s Heimishe Bakeries* in Brooklyn at 5717 18^th Ave, 14^th 
Ave, 13^th Ave at 38^th Street, New Utrecht Ave at 53^rd St, are all 
Yoshon of Rabbi Eckstein. Exceptions are the hamotzy bagette sandwiches 
which may be Chodosh. (This group of retail bakeries is not to be 
confused with the Yossie’s company that makes packaged products such as 
pita, etc.

*? **Yossie*’s packaged products (not to be confused with Yossie’s 
Heimishe Bakeries in Boro Park, Brooklyn) are under the hashgocho of the 
CRC for kashrus. There is no mashgiach for Yoshon. Therefore, despite 
the Yoshon label on the package, we can not recommended these as Yoshon 
due to lack of hashgocho for Yoshon. The pita is fresh with a very short 
shelf life and is not recommeded. The bagels have a code of Aug 25 08 
(10 days after packing.) The wraps have a code of sept 26 08 (6 weeks 
after packing.)

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I encourage you to download the complete PDF version of the new Guide by 
sending a blank email message to ONE of the following:

chodosh at sefer.org

chodosh at moruda.com <mailto:chodosh at moruda.com>

To receive the introductory part of the Guide, the part that has not 
changed from the first issue, send a blank email to chodosh-intro at sefer.org

The Guide is also available, as usual, from our BBS.

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