The following are instructions from the cRc (Chicage Rabbinical Council) as to their most recent approved method of washing/checking strawberries for use by the Kosher consumer.  This method is suggested by the cRc based on their findings of a high occurrence of insects currently found in strawberries, making the previous method insufficient.  Until further notice, the cRc recommends the following method to clean strawberries from insects…

1.  Cut off the green tops of the Strawberry (trying to avoid making a hole in the process).
2. Soak and agitate the strawberries in soapy water (don not substitute with vegetable wash), using a concentrated solution of approximately one tablespoon of dishwashing liquid mixed together with no more than 8 cups of water.  This process should last for about 2 minutes.  The cRc suggests using Seventh Generation non-Fragrance Natural Dish Liquid Soap, as it leaves the least amount of “soapy aftertaste” on the strawberry.
3. Rub each strawberry thoroughly under a stream of cold water with hand (or preferably with a bristled brush like a toothbrush).
4. Soak and agitate the strawberries a second time for 2 minutes in new soapy water with the same ration as stated above.
5. Rinse strawberries well.

Once all five steps have been done, the strawberries may be used without further inspection.  The cRc points out that this does NOT apply to organic strawberries, that are very difficult to properly clean and check for bugs, and therefore, should be avoided at this time.  If one wants to avoid this whole process of cleaning strawberries, one may simply cut off the tops and peel off the entire outside of the strawberry, followed by a rinse.

A precious O/U advisory on this product stated it would no longer be Kosher.  BJ’s has decided to keep this product O/U certified.

The cRc is happy to report that Classic Kitchen has redesigned their pump pots and urns so that all opinions will agree that cold water can be added on Yom Tov, when the device is in Shabbos/Yom Tov mode.  The upgraded models can be identified by checking the “copyright date”, the upgraded models are copyright in 2016, while the older models will show an earlier year.

The O/U currently certifies a variety of Aldi Frostings (under the brand name Baker’s Corner) as O/U Pareve, including the Milk Chocolate and Cream Cheese Frostings.  These products correctly bear an O/U symbol.  However, the same product from a previous supplier is also available without the O/U and are non-Kosher.  As the older supply is depleted, this problem will be self-corrected.

Emmi Meister Cheese (under the Heritage Kosher Dairy brand) are now certified Kosher under O/KD certification.  This product is Cholov Yisroel.

Fancy Cheese Co. is now certified Kosher under O/K supervision.  These products are dairy and Cholov Yisroel.

Maple Creek Natural Products, producers of maple syrup, is now certified Kosher under O/K supervision.

Penn Cheese products are now certified Kosher under O/K supervision.

Rise Brewing Co. (cold coffee brew) is now certified Kosher under O/K supervision.

Summit Life Science, Inc. is now certified Kosher under O/K supervision.  This company produces nutritional supplements.

Natural Vitamins Laboratory is now certified Kosher under O/K supervision.

Marshalls Creek Spices is now certified Kosher under O/K supervision.

Heritage Kosher Dairy brand cheeses are now certified Kosher under O/KD (dairy, Cholov Yisroel) supervision.

Maple Creek Natural Products brand is now certified Kosher under O/K supervision.  This company produces Maple Syrup.

Fancy Cheese in New York is now newly certified Kosher under O/KD (dairy – Cholov Yisroel) supervision.

Selected flavours of Beanies Flavour Coffee are now certified Kosher pareve under KLBD supervision, even with no KLBD logo on the packaging.

Boni brand Chicken-flavor bullion, Beef-flavor bullion and Vegetable bullion are now all certified Kosher under O/U supervision.

The following products, manufactured by Tubify are now Kosher under O/U (pareve) supervision…

Raspberry Raven Lemonade Organic Craft Freezie

Mango Tiger Organic Craft Freezie

Coconut Koala Café Latte Organic Craft Freezie

Minty Moose Limeade Organic Craft Freezie

The following products manufactured by Fibre One are now Kosher certified under O/U supervision…

Lemon Drizzle Squares  (O/UD – dairy)

Chocolate Fudge Brownies  (O/UD – dairy)

Salted Caramel Squares  (O/UD – dairy)

The following products, manufactured by Nutrifresh Services are now certified Kosher under O/U supervision…

Carrot Apple Ginger

Beet Blend

Kale Juice

Watermelon Blend

Unsweet Greens

Sweet Greens

Spicy Lemonade Blend