*CHODOSH BULLETIN-8 Mar 09*
*From the Guide to Chodosh-Y. Herman*
*Chodosh telephone Hot Line 718-305-5133, email **yher...@earthlink.net*
<mailto:yher...@earthlink.net>**
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THE FOLLOWING AS OF 8 March 09
The third and final issue for the season of the Guide to Chodosh has
been mailed out to paid subscribers. As usual, free copies of this Guide
are available by email by sending a blank email message to ONE of the
following:
chod...@sefer.org
chod...@moruda.com <mailto:chod...@moruda.com>
The following is an addition to the new Guide:
*Kemach* graham cracker pie crust is Yoshon only with a Yoshon label (in
Hebrew) on the package. The latest batch is without such label and is
Chodosh. Kemach egg noodles without a Yoshon label may be Chodosh
*Grain for Your Brain* rolled oats from Monroe is Yoshon under the
hashgocho of Rabbi Gruber.
*Mechel’s* frozen dough products are Yoshon under the Star-K of Baltimore.
*Dependable Foods* is a distributor that provides a broad range of
Yoshon products to establishments and institutions. The items listed in
the Guide to Chodosh as being Yoshon under the hashgocho of Rabbi Taub,
refer to only to the listed items and only under the Dependable label.
In addition, Dependable distributes Yoshon bakery flour and other Yoshon
items, where the hashgocho for Yoshon is clearly stated on the package.
However, caution is advised since Dependable is selling other items as
Yoshon without any specific hashgocho for Yoshon, without the
verification of the Yoshon status by an independent mashgiach. For the
last several years the Guide has been recommending that only items with
an hashgocho for Yoshon be used as Yoshon, regardless of how
“dependable” the supplier is.
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THE FOLLOWING AS OF 25 FEB 09
*MALT UPDATE*
In past years we used the packing date of Dec 15 as the starting date
for Chodosh malt. This year, we moved that date up by 2 months to Oct
15. This earlier date is reflected throughout this season’s Guides.
Therefore we advised that all items containing malt may be Chodosh if
packed on or after Oct 15, or if purchased after Jan 15. Here we explain
the rationale of why this year we have been using the earlier date and
on what basis are we suggesting to move this date to the old guidelines,
to a point 2 months later on the calendar.
_Manufacturers in the USA_ have always claimed and are still claiming
that they do not start producing Chodosh malt until Dec 15 or later.
However, Canada has experienced unusual problems with their barley crop
that has forced some malt manufacturing companies to switch to Chodosh
barley for malt produced as early as Oct. 15. It has been verified that
at least 2 USA companies have been importing and are using this Canadian
company’s malt. These are the cereal company Kellogs and Samuel Adams
beer. Since we had no way of accurately determining which other USA
manufacturers are also using this malt with the early Chodosh starting
date, we have been advising this year that one assume that malt in
general starts in USA manufactured foods as of Oct 15.
Since so far we have only verified that two USA companies are using this
Canadian malt, we are now suggesting that you consult your Rav or posek
and ask if (for products other than Kellogs cereals and Samuel Adams
beer) you could apply the usual later dates based upon the following
“double doubt” argument (/sfek sfeika of the Rema)/. Many, maybe most,
companies located in the USA probably use malt manufactured in the USA.
This malt first starts becoming Chodosh after Dec 15. Even if the
company in question uses Canadian malt which started becoming Chodosh
around Oct 15, maybe the package you have still used old malt left over
from before.
If your psak is that you can return to the old Dec 15-Mar 15 rule, then
all off the malt dates and dating codes in the Guide may be extended
from Oct 15 to Dec 15 (except for Kellogs and Samuel Adams beer) for
those products where the dating code is known. For cases where the
dating code is not known, you would be able to purchase items that
contain malt up to March 15 and assume that it is still Yoshon. These
later dates then would apply to malt-containing items such as cookies,
crackers, pretzels, cereals and beer.
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MASHGIACH’S GUIDE TO CHODOSH AND YOSHON IS AVAILABLE
The Mashgiach’s Guide to Chodosh and Yoshon has been updated and is now
available by email or US surface mail. The regular Guide to Chodosh is
aimed at consumers. It contains names of foods and establishments and
tries to provide guidance about which are Yoshon and which are not.
Conversely, the Mashgiach’s Guide contains almost no specific brand name
information. Rather, it provides detailed technical information to help
the mashgiach provide hashgochos for Yoshon. You are welcome to download
a copy of the Mashgiach’s Guide by sending a blank email to ONE of the
following addresses:
mashgi...@sefer.org
mashgi...@moruda.com <mailto:mashgi...@moruda.com>
Printed copies of this Guide are available. Rabbonim and mashgichim can
request that a copy be mailed to them free of charge via US surface mail
by providing their full mailing address by either (1) sending an email
request, or (2) recording a message on the Chodosh Hot Line
718-305-5133, or (3) sending a written request to Y. Herman 20 Sylvan
Road, Monsey, NY 10952 (make sure that you include a note with your full
address and the request for the Mashgiach’s Guide.)
Those who are not rabbonim or mashgichim may order a copy of this Guide
by sending $1 plus their full name and address to Y. Herman, 20 Sylvan
Road, Monsey, NY 10952
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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:
chod...@sefer.org
chod...@moruda.com <mailto:chod...@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-in...@sefer.org
The Guide is also available, as usual, from our BBS.
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not need to renew this email subscription.
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