Halachos of Using an Oven on Shabbos – Whether Standard or Sabbath Mode

STAR-K has worked with numerous appliance companies to make modern appliances more kosher-consumer friendly for Shabbos and Yom Tov. We have helped develop features that, in many cases, eliminate lights, icons, tones and digital displays; provide for timed bake without tones and icons; and enable temperature adjustments on Yom Tov.

The appliance companies named this constellation of features “the Sabbath mode” – a naming decision that has contributed to some confusion by consumers as to the proper halachic use of these ovens on Shabbos.

See below for a brief summary clarifying the proper halachic use of any oven on Shabbos:

1. No adjustment to the temperature is permitted on Shabbos, even in Sabbath Mode.

2. All food must be fully cooked and placed in the oven before Shabbos. No food (cooked or non-cooked) may be placed in the oven on Shabbos to re-warm or cook. This is true regarding ovens as well as warming […]

Pre-Purchase Advice – for Ovens and Cooktops

Visit the STAR-K website at www.star-k.org for lists of oven products under STAR-K certification.

Countertop Pre-Purchase Advice

Granite, Marble, or Stainless Steel – To kasher (for year-round and Pesach), clean the countertop, wait 24 hours after its last use, and then pour boiling water over each part of the countertop. You may need to refill the pot several times. (It is not sufficient to pour on one spot and let the water run over the counter.) Make sure the material is a pure granite or stone. Sometimes they are really “composites” and therefore CANNOT be kashered.

Wood may also be kashered as stainless steel if it has a smooth surface and no cracks.

Porcelain Enamel, Dupont Corian® Solid Surface and Corian® Quartz Surface (formerly called Zodiaq®), Formica, Silestone – Star-K policy does not allow kashering of plastic or materials with plastic components.

Year-Round Use: As long as the countertop is clean, it may be used for cold pots and food. Hot food should not be placed on it. If inadvertently hot food was put […]

Jewish-Chinese Connections

05 | 09 | 2015

http://www.aish.com/jw/s/Jewish-Chinese-Connections.html

Lost Jews of China

In the Middle Ages, Jewish traders following the ancient Silk Road spice route settled in China, forming a community in the city of Kaifeng. Kaifeng was then one of the “Seven Ancient Capitals of China” and one of the world’s largest metropolises, with a population of close to one million. China’s ruling Song Emperors welcomed the Jews as welcome guests, bestowing seven family names that these Kaifeng Jews could use – some of which are still carried by their descendents in the town today.

Kaifeng’s Jewish community thrived at first, building its first synagogue in 1163, and eventually swelling to several thousand members. Smaller Jewish communities sprung up in other towns in China. Unlike many Jewish communities elsewhere, it seems that China’s Jews faced little or no persecution. Ironically, the lack of discrimination they faced in China seems to have hastened their end.

A model of the Kaifeng […]

Rabbi Dr. Moshe Tendler Revisits the Question of Kosher Veal

04 | 23 | 2015

Click here to visit the entire article and pictures: http://baltimorejewishlife.com/news/news-detail.php?SECTION_ID=1&ARTICLE_ID=59168

Baltimore, MD – April 23, 2015 – It is well known that when the Posek Hador, Rav Moshe Feinstein, Zatza”l, wrote his famous Teshuva inIgros Moshe Even HaEzer IV 92, in 1982, which placed severe restrictions on the production and purchase of Kosher white veal to the point that those who followed his Psak stopped eating Veal, his son-in-law, Rabbi Dr. Moshe D. Tendler, Shlit”a, a Rosh Yeshiva in Yeshivas Rabbeinu Yitzchak Elchonon, Rov in Monsey and biology professor at Yeshiva University, was Rav Moshe’s “right hand” in this psak. Rabbi Dr. Tendler in addition to his vast knowledge of Halacha and Science, had significant practical experience in Shechita including having headed the Shechita department of the Orthodox Union for a time.

Since then, Rav Tendler, Shlit”a, and many of his and Rav Moshe’s Talmidim, have abstained from eating veal due to […]

STAR-K Kosher Certification Seminar Helps Consumers Around the World Get Ready for Pesach

04 | 01 | 2015

STAR-K Speakers Bureau Travels Near and Far to Bring Kashrus to a Variety of Venues

02 | 23 | 2015

http://matzav.com/star-k-speakers-bureau-travels-near-and-far-to-bring-kashrus-to-a-variety-of-venues

https://www.chazaq.org/?section=news&k=star-k-speakers-bureau-travels-near-and-far-to-bring-kashrus-to-a-variety-of-venues

http://baltimorejewishlife.com/news/news-detail.php?SECTION_ID=1&ARTICLE_ID=57739

It was not Rabbi Mayer Kurcfeld’s first time in South Bend, Indiana, when he traveled there on January 27. Although the STAR-K Kashrus Administrator had been there previously, solely on Kashrus business, this time, in addition, he was asked by Rabbi Meir Bulman, Rav of the Hebrew Orthodox Congregation, to make two, women-only, vegetable inspection presentations– one for the Bais Yaakov of Indiana high school students and the other for the women of the community.

“I was totally amazed and, quite frankly, pleasantly surprised at the number of frum women who attended,” admitted Rabbi Kurcfeld. “Additionally, it gave me great pleasure to see both their attention and enthusiasm, but more so, the seriousness they gave the subject matter by really trying their utmost to learn the process in the short time that we had.”

Rabbi Kurcfeld is part of STAR-K’s Speakers Bureau, comprised of administrative staff members who […]

STAR-K Kosher Certification Sets Precedent with Staff HACCP Training

01 | 09 | 2015

http://www.foodsafetymagazine.com/products/star-k-kosher-certification-sets-precedent-with-staff-haccp-training/

http://www.gourmetretailer.com/top-story-center_store-star_k_kosher_certification_haccp_trains_entire_administrative_staff_-11976.html

http://www.qai-inc.com/newsroom/enews/qnews_2015_q4_haccp-training.asp

STAR-K Kosher Certification has become the first major organization of its kind to train its entire Kosher administrative staff in Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points (HACCP)––a systematic, scientifically-based approach to food safety, provides a method for identifying significant physical, chemical, and microbiological hazards in the production of food and implementing control measures to prevent, eliminate, or reduce significant hazards to an acceptable level.

The two-day in-house training at STAR-K’s Baltimore headquarters was lead by NSF International in November 2014. The Kosher organization’s staff traveled from all over the U.S. After formal training, all staff members passed the qualifying exam.

“STAR-K Kosher Administrators, who are already visiting plants to set up impeccable Kosher standards, have a distinct advantage when they are proficient in areas of food safety, as well,” explains STAR-K Kosher Certification president Dr. Avrom Pollak. “It is with that in mind that we arranged to have NSF International […]

STAR-K Visit Highlighted by Rav Binyomin Friedman on Atlanta Scholars Kollel Trip

12 | 31 | 2014

http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/headlines-breaking-stories/278129/STAR-K-Visit-Highlighted-by-Rav-Binyomin-Friedman-on-Atlanta-Scholars-Kollel-Trip.html

One of the first stops Rabbi Binyomin Friedman made in Baltimore, on Thursday, December 11, after flying up the night before from Atlanta, was STAR-K Kosher Certification. The dozen or so men, aged 30-60, who accompanied him were just some of his students at the Atlanta Scholars Kollel (ASK). The Kollel organized the trip for the purpose of providing the opportunity to learn in a Yeshiva—something that most of these men had never experienced in person.

“We spent Thursday through Sunday at Yeshivas Ner Yisroel,” says Rabbi Friedman, an alumnus of the yeshiva who is the Rav of Congregation Ariel in Dunwoody, Georgia, in addition to one of the founding rebbeim of ASK. “When we were not learning, we spent our time learning about the infrastructure of a frum community. The STAR-K was one of our first stops. Commercial Kashrus supervision is fundamental to the existence of the contemporary Jewish […]

Baltimore Chesed Response Organizations Showcased To Visiting Group From Detroit

12 | 08 | 2014

http://baltimorejewishlife.com/news/news-detail.php?SECTION_ID=1&ARTICLE_ID=55132

By BJLife/Isaac Draiman
Baltimore, MD – Dec. 8 – This past Sunday a group visiting from Detroit had an opportunity to learn about the various response organizations that serve the Baltimore Jewish Community.

Approximately 30 visitors traveling to Baltimore with the Partners in Torah branch of Detroit came to Baltimore to see how our Orthodox Community is structured. After visiting Ner Israel and having a meeting with the Rosh Yeshiva, HaRav Aharon Feldman, shlita, they came to Bnos Yisroel to see firsthand the uniqueness of our chesed organizations.

Representatives of Hatzolah, Shomrim and Chaverim were on hand, explaining their histories and services provided. Dovid Heyman, Executive Director and Paramedic with Hatzalah of Baltimoreexplained the lifesaving emergency services they provide. Nathan Willner, General Counsel and Michael Diamond, dispatcher, of the Baltimore Shomrim Safety Patrol , and David Bagan, President of Chaverim also took turns explaining their organizations services as well. Many of the […]

What it Took for STAR-K to Certify the GA Under Secret Service Surveillance

11 | 19 | 2014

http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/headlines-breaking-stories/272450/what-it-took-for-star-k-to-certify-the-ga-under-secret-service-surveillance.html

http://baltimorejewishlife.com/news/news-detail.php?SECTION_ID=1&ARTICLE_ID=54403

[By: Margie Pensak]

Security was tight at STAR-K Certification’s largest and most challenging food service supervision, to date–The Jewish Federations of North America’s 2014 General Assembly (GA), the premier annual North American Jewish communal event, held at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, in National Harbor, Maryland, November 9-12. Vice President Joe Biden was one of the several scheduled speakers and I had to make sure I arrived early enough before Gaylord’s security lockdown. I never did get to see the Vice President, while I was touring the kosher kitchen with STAR-K Assistant Director of Supervision Rabbi Mayer Kurcfeld, who spearheaded the kashrus team for this event. But, I did feel the thrill of the anticipation of his arrival, as I went through more than one security checkpoint and watched a sniffing K-9 attack trained German shepherd police dog check out the crowd!

The Gaylord National Resort & Convention […]

STAR-K Hosts AKO Vaadim Conference

11 | 19 | 2014

STAR-K Summer 5785/2025 Kashrus Training Seminars

Registration is now open for STAR-K’s popular training seminars. Space is limited so please register early. Application forms for each program are posted in the links below.

12th Annual Foodservice Mashgiach Training Seminar

July 21-23, 2025 | כ”ה תמוז – כ”ז תמוז

Foodservice Mashgiach Training Application Form

22nd Annual Kashrus Training Program
July 28-31, 2025 | ג’ אב – ו’ אב

Kashrus Training Program Application Form

Both programs will be held at STAR-K’s Baltimore corporate headquarters.

Each program is limited to 25 attendees.

Kashrus Training Program

This widely acclaimed four-day program provides rabbonim, certifying agency administrators, kollel members, and others serving in klei kodesh, the opportunity to meet the personalities behind the internationally recognized and trusted STAR-K symbol. Attendees will be provided with a hands-on, practical application of the Shulchan Aruch, and learn how to structure a kashrus organization, along with the ins and outs of kashrus challenges at various venues.

Seminar […]

Folding 25mm Loupe

LED light
40X magnification suitable for helping with bug checking
25mm precision ground lenses
Color corrected and optically corrected lenses for a non-distorted view
Made of plastic and chrome-plated metal with glass lenses
Includes storage case and battery.
The cost of the loupe is $7.50 + S&H

To order a loupe click here

STAR-K Kosher Classroom: Classroom Curricular Materials

The STAR-K Kosher Classroom is a growing collection of curricular materials for elementary, middle, and high school classrooms, developed for, and with the support of, Torah Umesorah.

It is part of STAR-K’s commitment to education and an extension of our already existing educational efforts for adults, which include Kashrus Kurrents and interactive teleconference webinars for rabbonim, mashgichim and the wider community.

We have consulted with mechanchim to ensure that these materials are age-appropriate for children across the spectrum. We are acutely aware that, for adults, kashrus might be their most extensive engagement with practical halacha. Many of these topics require experts in the field who are intimately involved in production procedures. But it is apparent from the phone calls we field that there is a gap in this area in our schools’ curricula. Educators have told us that the reason for the dearth of classroom education about kashrus-related halacha is due […]

Kosher University

The STAR-K Kosher University is comprised of innovative online Educational Programs which offer a unique opportunity for local Vaadim, Rabbis and Mashgichim, the world over.

Monthly TeleKosher Conferences

Mark your calendars! STAR-K’s ongoing TeleKosher Conference Series is scheduled for the last Wednesday of each month at 12 Noon, Eastern. Previous conferences are archived here and on our Vimeo channel.

Rabbi Zvi Goldberg interviews various kosher experts. Questions from the listening audience are encouraged.

To signup for notifications, email [email protected] with subject ‘signup’

Webinar Series

STAR-K is committed to utilizing its resources for the education of Jewish communities worldwide. Our Advanced Halacha Webinar Series Project features STAR-K’s Rabbis and our Rabbinic Administrator, Rabbi Moshe Heinemann, who has always been on the cutting edge of advanced technology and halacha. We discuss various topics through an interactive presentation which allows participants from around the globe to experience a live workshop through the use of audio, video and […]

Kosher Certified Schach Manufacturers

The following schach mat manufacturers are certified by STAR-K. Please see letter of certification for usage instructions.

Sukkah Systems
20 Brighton Ave.
Passaic, NJ 07055
Click here for Sukkah Systems’ current letter of certification.

The Sukkah Project
2317 Grand Park Dr. #2A
Grand Junction, CO 81505
844.478.5568
Click here for The Sukkah Project’s current letter of certification.

The Esrog Headquarters – The Sukkah Headquarters
5809 Foster Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11234
Click here for The Esrog/Sukkah Headquarters’ current letter of certification.

Click here for information on proper storage of schach mats.

STAR-K Food Service Kashrus Training Seminar Draws Attendees from Far and Near

08 | 06 | 2014

http://baltimorejewishlife.com/news/news-detail.php?SECTION_ID=1&ARTICLE_ID=51435

http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/headlines-breaking-stories/253323/star-k-food-service-kashrus-training-seminar-draws-attendees-from-far-and-near.html

Baltimore, MD – Aug. 4– Yosef Cohen has been attending a community kollel in Raanana, Israel, for the past five years. He decided to sign up forSTAR-K’s Food Service Kashrus Training Seminar, held July 28-30, because he is considering moving back to the US and will need a parnasa.

“I was always interested in Hashgacha and have taken a Hashgacha course in Eretz Yisroel and received a certificate from Rav Efrati and the Rabanut of Israel,” notes Mr. Cohen, a first time STAR-K seminar attendee. “The STAR-K training seminar was a great review of the pertinent Halachos, and gave amazing hands on information and tips for the seasoned and beginner.”

What Mr. Cohen found most helpful was learning how to deal with the vendors: “We learned to always be a mensch and remember that you are the Rabbi while on the job, whether you think of yourself like that or […]

STAR-K’s 11th Annual Kashrus Training Program Features NYS Kosher Enforcement Director Rabbi Aaron Metzger

07 | 29 | 2014

http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/human-interest/250914/star-ks-11th-annual-kashrus-training-program-features-nys-kosher-enforcement-director-rabbi-aaron-metzger.html

The Eleventh Annual STAR-K Kashrus Training Program attracted attendees from the Catskill Mountains to Indianapolis, IN. This year, in addition to the STAR-K Kashrus Administrators who delivered presentations on everything from Foodservice Challenges to the Halachic issues of Appliances, Rabbi Aaron Metzger, director of the NY State Kosher Enforcement Bureau, addressed the participants. Rabbi Metzger, a resident of Monsey, NY, was appointed to his position by The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, in January. Part of his job is to protect consumers by ensuring compliance with the certification, record keeping and signage requirements relating to kosher food, and maintaining the Department’s online kosher databases.

“Being in this position is important to the Jewish community to maintain a sense of accountability in Kosher,” notes Rabbi Metzger.” Being able to present at the STAR-K conference has enlightened various rabbis from across the globe how important transparency and accountability is […]

Thrip Cloth (Shmatte Bedika) Tutorial

Instructions on Using a Kosher Vegetable Checking Cloth

Wash produce well. (Note: Use warm water for broccoli and cauliflower.)
Prepare a basin with water and a non-bleach and non-toxic dishwasher detergent solution. The water should feel slippery.
Agitate the produce in the solution for 15 seconds. (Note: For broccoli and cauliflower, soak for 30 seconds BEFORE agitating.)
Remove the produce from the basin and shake off excess water over the basin.
Pour water through the thrip cloth.
Check the thrip cloth over a light box for any insects.
If insects are found, repeat steps 1-6. This can be done up to three times. If insects are still found on the third try, the produce should not be used.

IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A THRIP CLOTH: Check the water for infestation by placing a white basin over a light box.

TO ORDER A STAR-K BUG CHECKING KIT, CLICK HERE

STAR-K Certification Launches STAR-K Kosher Classroom at Torah Umesorah Convention

05 | 22 | 2014

http://baltimorejewishlife.com/news/news-detail.php?SECTION_ID=1&ARTICLE_ID=48939

Baltimore, MD – May 2014 – Earlier this month, STAR-K Kosher Certification was represented at the sold-out Torah Umesorah 58th Annual National Leadership Convention by STAR-K President Dr. Avrom Pollak, STAR-K Kashrus Administrator Rabbi Baruch Beyer, and STAR-K Director of Special Projects Rabbi Zvi Holland, who introduced mechanchim to the STAR-K Kosher Classroom.

The STAR-K Kosher Classroom, which debuted at the convention, is an initiative to develop curricular materials for elementary, middle, and high school classrooms. The first group of posters and videos were prepared to present to the 1,800 attendees from throughout the U.S., Canada and elsewhere around the world, to generate interest, feedback and partnership from those who will actually be presenting the materials.

“Just as we do not charge for our extensive Kashrus education programs and community services, we are not charging for these materials, “ noted Rabbi Holland. “We wanted the teachers to tell us what materials […]

Como Escolher O Certificado Kosher

Introduçâo
Selecionando a Agência Correta
No Princípio
Questões Importantes
Que Tipo De Serviço Você Pode Esperar?
Que Perícia E Conhecimento Eles Oferecem A Você?
Termos De NEGociação
Honorãrios

Introduçâo

Pesquisas de mercado demonstraram que os consumidores geralmente escolhem um produto com certificado Kosher ao invés de outro sem esse certificado. Mais tarde esses mesmos estudos revelaram que a certificaçâo Kosher é um recurso utilizado por uma vasta gama de consumidores tanto judeus como não judeus.

Muitos fatores são responsáveis pela explosão de produtos com certificação Kosher; por diversas razões os consumidores de produtos com certificado Kosher influencia um mercado que excede esse grupo de pessoas. Isto é particularmente verdade nos Estados Unidos aonde as grandes cadeias de supermercados se esforçam para ter os mesmos produtos em todos as suas lojas que são abastecidas por um distribuidor central. A Europa sofreu um aumento dramático na demanda por Kosher, […]

O Mercado Kosher

O Consumidor Kosher
O Mercado Judaico
A Comunidade Islãmica
Outros Grupos Religiosos
Vegetarianos
Considerações Sanitãrias
Qualidade Assegurada

O Consumidor Kosher

A busca por produtos Kosher ultrapassa os interesses de um grupo etnico particular. Os consumidores Kosher incluem judeus, muçulmanos e Adventistas do setimo dia, assim como vegetarianos, pessoas com intolerencia a lactose e todos aqueles que pensam que Kosher e o melhor. Estes milhoes de consumidores procuram o simbolo Kosher para se assegurar que suas necessidades serao satisfeitas.

O Mercado Judaico

A comida judaica kosher é mundialmente conhecida, mas os consumidores judeus representam apenas uma parte do mercado Kosher.

A Comunidade Islãmica

Milhoes de muculmanos ao redor do mundo tem uma dieta que observa um regime similar aos da Kashrus. Eles reconhecem que os alimentos que contem o simbolo Kosher satisfazem as suas necessidades.

Outros Grupos Religiosos

Os adventistas do setimo dia e outros grupos cristos tem restricoes similares a Kashrus. O simbolo […]

Como Elegir Una Certificacion Kosher

Seleccionando La Agencia Correcta
Al Principio…
Preguntas Importantes
Términos de Negociación
Honorarios

Seleccionando la Agencia Correcta

¿Cómo se encuentra la certificación kosher adecuada para satisfacer las necesidades particulares de su compañía?

A menos de que usted tenga un establecimiento cuyas necesidades kosher pueden ser satisfechas por un consejo rabínico local, usted está a punto de experimentar un viaje desconcertante al intentar comparar las virtudes de las diversas certificaciones. ¡No todas las organizaciones de certificación kosher son idénticas!

Es muy importante emprender este proceso de una manera similar a la que usted utilizaría para elegir un abogado, un consultor financiero o un empleado esencial. ¡En pocas palabras, haga su trabajo! Hacer las preguntas correctas y explorar todas las opciones disponibles en el mercado kosher pueden ahorrarle a su compañía una experiencia desagradable y costosa.

[...] Read More

El Mercado Kosher

Durante los últimos veinticinco años, la demanda por productos con certificación kosher ha aumentado dramáticamente. Más específicamente, el mercado kosher ha crecido un 15% anual durante los últimos años.

El Consumidor Kosher
El Mercado Judío
La Comunidad Islámica
Otras Denominaciones Religiosas
Intolerantes de la Lactosa
Vegetarianos
La Garantía de Calidad

El Consumidor Kosher

Millones de personas alrededor del mundo limitan su consumo alimenticio y buscan el símbolo kosher para asegurarse de que se cumplan sus preferencias. Según estudios de mercado, la atracción hacia los alimentos kosher supera el interés de un grupo étnico específico. Los consumidores de alimentos kosher incluyen Judíos, Musulmanes, miembros de otras denominaciones religiosas, Vegetarianos, aquellos con intolerancia a la lactosa, y los que entienden que “kosher es mejor”.

El Mercado Judío
Los consumidores Judíos abarcan cerca del 45% del mercado kosher. […]

STAR-K Light Box

The STAR-K Light Box is a user-friendly tool that will greatly simplify your bug-checking needs.

The light box’s design includes STAR-K’s full-color BUG CHECKING CHART on the reverse side, with clear instructions for how to check every category of produce.

The side panel displays high-resolution, color images of COMMON INSECTS FOUND ON PRODUCE to give users a handy reference guide to help identify the type of bugs they might find while checking.

Additionally, the light box features:

LED light with adjustable brightness

a large, neutral surface

waterproof surface and casing

Price: $65

Purchase Options

Order directly from Judaica Spot.

Available at the Seforim Nook, 7006 Reisterstown Road, in the Colonial Village Shopping Center in Pikesville. Call 410-840-7677 for more information.

In-person pickup at the STAR-K office. Call 410-484-4110 for more information.

Information about purchasing bug checking kits can be found here.

Why Check for Insects?

As we sit down to enjoy a crisp, green salad or prepare to garnish a dish with a fresh sprig of parsley, probably the last thing on our minds at that time is insects. But insects should actually be foremost on our minds, as the act of eating insects, as we shall explain here, violates a very serious set of prohibitions. Let’s start from the beginning.

The Torah expressly forbids Jews from eating insects (tolayim). In Leviticus 11:41, we are told, “And every swarming thing that swarms upon the earth is a detestable thing; it shall not be eaten.” Any food known to be subject to insect infestation, therefore, cannot be eaten until the insects have been removed.

But what if you’re not sure? What is the status of a food item that is only suspected of containing an insect? Are you obligated to check the item to determine the presence of an insect, or can […]

2025 Starbucks Information

In general, Starbucks stores serve hot treif meat and cheese. Therefore, since 2011, STAR-K Rabbinic Administrator Rav Moshe Heinemann shlit”a suggests that if at all possible one should avoid 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 the beverages listed below (based on the psak of the Noda B’Yehuda quoted in Yad Ephraim, Y.D. 122-6, D’H’ Shelo. It can be found in Shu”t Noda B’Yehuda Kama 36). One does not need to be driving on the highway to fit into the […]

The STAR-K OTC Medicine List: Understanding How the List was Compiled

By: Rabbi Dovid Heber

Ideally, one should purchase over-the-counter (OTC) products with a reliable hechsher. STAR-K certified products contain only kosher approved ingredients. A product containing a trace of a non-kosher ingredient (even if it is batel b’shishim) cannot be certified STAR-K. Similarly, all certified products are manufactured without any keilim concerns.

Unfortunately, very few OTC products are kosher certified, and kosher consumers who require such products are often confronted with shailos (questions).

STAR-K has reviewed ingredients used in hundreds of OTC products manufactured by many of the major pharmaceutical companies, including Bayer, Bristol-Myers Squibb, GlaxoSmithKline, McNeil, Novartis, Pfizer, Procter & Gamble, Purdue Pharma, Merck and Nestle.

In compiling a list of “approved” medications for use by one who is a choleh (ill) or has a maychush (discomfort), the following halachic guidelines were used:

Equipment

►If all ingredients are kosher, there is no concern that the medicinal ingredients were produced on treif equipment (see Yoreh Deah 122:6).

►If a non-kosher […]

Heimishe Kosher Visits STAR-K

02 | 10 | 2014

http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/headlines-breaking-stories/213354/heimishe-kosher-visits-star-k.html

STAR-K Kosher Certification recently held its first Winter Kashrus Training Program for a group of mashgichim from New York. The participants, who live in Boro Park, traveled to attend the seminar in Baltimore on three consecutive Sundays, January-February. The program was the brainchild of Mr. Meir Rand, a Chasidishe mashgiach who has worked in various kitchen venues in Boro Park. Realizing the lack of Chasidishe mashgiach training, he approached STAR-K Kashrus Administrator Rabbi Zvi Holland with his well-accepted idea of a training program.

“I was very, very happy with the program; I learned such new chidushim and how to deal with people in Kashrus work,” says Mr. Rand. “I have no words. It was mamash amazing–meyradik!

“The Chasidishe community doesn’t yet have such a training program for their mashgichim,” continues Mr. Rand. “We have no mesuderdik system for training them and we found out that STAR-K has the best training system […]