Listed below are products that do not require kosher certification provided (a) they do not have additives, and (b) (if food items) are not a product of Israel. Food items from Israel need reliable certification. Please review this list regularly for any updates as the information may change.

Salt

NOTE: This list is NOT for Passover use

Aluminum Foil

Applesauce
plain only (even with high fructose corn syrup and vitamins)

Baking Powder

Baking Soda

Beer
domestic, unflavored

Bran
unprocessed

Buckwheat
raw

[...] Read More

Please be advised that Starbucks corporation has decided to end the expanded STAR-K kosher information program.
Consumers are advised that effective immediately the STAR-K can only recommend a limited number of drinks and can no longer vouch for the kashrus of many of the flavored items previously listed.

In general Starbucks stores serve hot treif meat and cheese. Therefore, since 2011, Rav Moshe Heinemann Shlit”a, STAR-K Rabbinic Administrator, suggests that one should avoid if at all possible, buying drinks prepared with equipment that may have been washed with treif equipment. There are drinks (see list below) that are prepared without any contact with questionable equipment and are acceptable at any store.

When one is traveling, (traveling means when one is away from home and no other viable kosher certified coffee option is readily available),  this creates a situation of sha’as hadchak – i.e., a difficult situation and one need not be concerned with the restrictions on […]

For a detailed pas habaa bkisnin discussion see here.

I. Varieties and circumstances that warrant a Birchas Hamotzi:

Pizza:
Three slices of 18″ pizza pie
Three slices of 16″ pizza pie
1/2 of a 14″ thin crust pie,
1/2 of a 12″ regular pizza pie
1/2 of a 9″ deep dish pizza pie

Other:
Bagel chips made from bagels
Calzone – 1 from a pizza shop; 2 pre-packaged frozen
Croissants (when augmenting a dinner meal)
Croutons (toasted)
Matzos (Sefardim should ask their Rabbi)
Melba toast
Mezonos rolls – that taste like cake and are augmenting a dinner meal, and those that taste like bread
Soft pretzels (when augmenting a dinner meal)
Stromboli – 1 from a pizza shop; 2 pre-packaged frozen

II. Varieties and circumstances that warrant a Birchas Mezonos when eaten as a snack:

Bagel Chips
Breadsticks
Croissants (as a pastry)
Flatbreads (all varieties)
Hard Pretzels
Kichel
Matza Tams
[...] Read More

1. It is vital that instructions are followed as stated in the correct sequence. Not following the procedure properly may invalidate the hetter iska.

Utensil to be immersed must be completely clean – free of dirt, dust, rust, stickers, labels or glue. (Practical Tip: WD-40 is very effective in removing adhesive)

One wets one’s hands in the mikvah water, holds the vessel in the wet hand and says Baruch…Asher Kidshanu B’Mitzvosav V’Tzivanu Al Tevilas Keili (Keilim for multiple utensils) and immerses the vessel(s).

If one forgot to make the brocha, the immersion is valid.

The water of the mikvah must touch the entire vessel inside and out.

The entire vessel must be under water at one time, but does not have to be submerged for any prolonged period of time.

If a basket or net is used to hold small utensils, the basket should be immersed in the water, the utensils placed in the basket, […]