Spring 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are few things as synonymous\nwith summer as a fresh, cold fruit smoothie, a classic hot weather staple for\nmany. During the summer months, the STAR-K hotline gets inundated with calls\nfrom consumers requesting guidance to ensure their smoothies are as kosher as\nthey are delicious. While plain fruits and vegetables are often inherently kosher,\nseveral of them do have a major kashrus nemesis: bugs! Those perfect looking\nstrawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries frequently host several\ncommon insects, like thrips, aphids and mites. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another item that has been gaining\npopularity are juiced vegetables. Kale, cilantro and spinach are among the more\npopular vegetables that are juiced and then enjoyed as a drink. These, too, can\npresent a significant challenge to ensure that they are insect free. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The following is a short guide to\nassist you in preparing your favorite kosher juiced or blended beverage.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n No Checking Required<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n There are many delicious fruits and\nvegetables that do not present any issue of infestation and need no special\npreparation to be eaten whole or used in smoothies. These include apples,\nbananas, carrots, cherries, eggplants, grapefruits, lemons,[1]<\/a>\nlimes, mangos, melons, nectarines, oranges, papayas, passion fruit, peaches, pineapples,[2]<\/a> plums,\nsquashes and tomatoes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For a complete list of fruits and\nvegetables that require checking, along with instructions for checking\ndifferent types of produce, go to checkforinsects.com<\/p>\n\n\n\n Problematic Produce<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Then there are berries. According to statista.com, strawberry is either the first or second most popular smoothie flavor in the United States (the other being banana). The insect issue with strawberries is well known and the process needed to clean them well documented. The question that rabbonim<\/em> receive constantly is, \u201cwhat if I am using frozen[3]<\/a> strawberries and blending them?\u201d The answer to that question depends on a few factors. But first, the halachic <\/em>background.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Halacha<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Torah\nprohibitionof eating insects is severe. Depending upon the type of\ninsect eaten, a person can violate as many as six Biblical prohibitions[4]<\/a>\nfor each insect ingested. Furthermore, the negative spiritual effect that\neating shratzim<\/em> (insects) has on a person is particularly detrimental.[5]<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n There are three categories defined by Halacha regarding the specific items that need to be checked:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Category 1: rov\/muchzuk \u2013 <\/em>something that is infested a majority<\/em>\nof the time (over 50%)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Category 2: miyut hamatzui<\/em> \u2013something that contains a significant percentage of infestation, although\nless than a rov<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Category 3: miyut sh\u2019eino matzui \u00ad<\/em>\u2013something that is infested rarely or infrequently[6]<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n We all know that there is a concept in Halacha known as bitul <\/em>(nullification). If a prohibited substance is present in a very small amount, typically 1:60, in many cases it is considered nullified and no longer prohibited. However, there are a couple of exceptions and caveats to this leniency. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When making a blended smoothie from\nfruits that have infestation concerns, the final product would likely have\ninsect particles mixed inside. While distressing and unappetizing, the blended mixture\nmeets the 1:60 threshold and avoids any concern of a berya<\/em> so long as\nthe mixture is of a smooth and fine consistency. The question then becomes: is\nthis permissible to do?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Blend Away!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n If the items you are using are from\nCategory #1 (rov\/muchzuk<\/em>, most of the time infested), it becomes difficult\nto justify making a smoothie from them. Items that fit this category would\ninclude raspberries, blackberries, curly kale[10]<\/a> (both\nconventional and organic) and pretty much all<\/em> organic\ninfestation-prone[11]<\/a>\nfruits or veggies. It would also include infestation-prone items that are\npick-your-own. Since these farms need to allow people to roam their fields and\norchards, fewer chemical pesticides are used, and the produce is considered for\nthese purposes in the same category as organic.[12]<\/a> Making smoothies from items in category #1 is not\npermissible. Even to have it made for you by a non-Jew is not allowed. The fact\nthat you are asking or ordering it to be made for<\/em> you is considered the\nsame as if you were making it yourself.[13]<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n However, if the items you are using\nare in Category #2 (miyut hamatzui\/<\/em>sometimes infested), it is permitted\nto make a smoothie without needing to check the fruit first. Since your\nintention is to make a smoothie, not to specifically destroy the insects, there\nis no issue of ein mevatlin issur l\u2019chatchila<\/em>. This is known in Halacha\nas ein kavanaso l\u2019vatel \u2013 <\/em>your intention is not specifically to nullify\nthe prohibited substance. In cases where the prohibited item (in this case, fruit)\nis only prohibited d\u2019rabanan<\/em>, (i.e. due the issur<\/em> of berya<\/em>),\nthis is permissible.[14]<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n This would mean that any conventional<\/em>\n(non-organic) frozen strawberries or blueberries\ncan be blended without the need to check first. If you are using conventional\n(non-organic) fresh fruit or veggie greens, they must be washed well[15]<\/a>\nprior to being juiced, but no actual checking is required. Unwashed<\/em>\nfresh fruit or veggies even from this category cannot be used, as before they\nare washed they contain more insects and could possibly be considered rov\/muchzuk<\/em>\n(Category #1). <\/p>\n\n\n\n One important point to keep in mind is that the items need to be purchased or acquired with the intention<\/em> to make smoothies.[16]<\/a> If they were purchased with the intent to use whole and later you realized that it isn\u2019t permitted, a rav<\/em> should be consulted to determine if you can still blend them. An evaluation needs to be made if this scenario would be considered mevatlin issur l\u2019chatchila<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It should be noted though that\nlongstanding STAR-K policy is to only allow our certified establishments to use\nfruits and vegetables that have been actually checked prior to use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Juicing<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Juicing presents a slightly more\ncomplicated scenario since the vegetables are usually just squeezed or pressed,\nnot blended. Squeezing does not necessarily destroy insects. Most juicers, however,\nhave a filter which allows the water or juice to pass through and holds back\nthe actual pieces of vegetable. If the filter is at least 200 mesh\/70 microns,\nit would then effectively filter out any insects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Smoothie Bars and Stores<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Smoothie stores that prepare drinks\nto order may also present kashrus issues unless they are properly certified.\nMany times, organic fruits and vegetables are used. In addition, there are\noften grape juices added to some blends as a sweetener. \u2018Fruit juice added\u2019 can often refer to\nthe addition of grape juice or a mix of juices that can possibly contain grape\njuice as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Furthermore, many smoothie establishments\noffer additives of whey, vitamin, and protein powders, all of which need\nreliable kosher certification. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Lastly, collagen powders have become\nvery popular as an additive to healthy drinks and these are certainly not kosher.\nTherefore, we would recommend that consumers purchase smoothies only from\nstores or stands with reliable kosher certification. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Bottom Line<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n For those who like to skip the\narticle and get to the \u2018bottom line,\u2019 here are the key points to keep in mind: <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you want to know the reasoning\nfor any of the above, please read the article! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Feel free to call the STAR-K hotline with any kashrus or other Halacha questions. For more resources and guides to vegetable checking, go to www.checkforinsects.com<\/a>. See also my interview with Rabbi Yitzchok Hisiger regarding various kashrus concerns related to smoothies HERE<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Have a great, safe and gezunte <\/em>summer! [1]<\/a> Many\ncitrus fruits may have scales on the exterior peel, but the fruit is clean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n [2]<\/a> Once\nproperly peeled. IQF (Individual Quick Frozen) fruits are usually peeled\nadequately. <\/p>\n\n\n\n [3]<\/a> The\nfact that any item is frozen does nothing to change its kashrus status vis-a-vis\ninfestation. Insects actually are preserved perfectly well when frozen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n [4]<\/a> There are three types of sheratzim<\/em>: sheretz hamayi<\/em>m which is four lavin<\/em>; sheretz ha’aret<\/em>z which is five lavin<\/em>; sheretz ha’of<\/em> which is six lavin<\/em>. The \u05d0\u05d9\u05e1\u05d5\u05e8\u05d9\u05dd are listed in \u05d5\u05d9\u05e7\u05e8\u05d0 \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05d9”\u05d0 and \u05d3\u05d1\u05e8\u05d9\u05dd \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05d9”\u05d3.<\/p>\n\n\n\n [5]<\/a> \u05e2’ \u05e9\u05d5”\u05ea \u05d5\u05d3\u05d1\u05e8\u05ea \u05d1\u05dd (\u05e4\u05e1\u05e7\u05d9 \n\u05d4\u05d2\u05e8”\u05d3 \u05e4\u05d9\u05d9\u05e0\u05e9\u05d8\u05d9\u05d9\u05df \u05d6\u05e6”\u05dc) \u05e1\u05d9\u05de\u05df \u05e8”\u05d9. \u05d5\u05db\u05df \u05d9\u05e2\u05d5\u05d9\u05df \u05d1\u05e1\u05e4\u05e8 \u05d1\u05d3\u05d9\u05e7\u05ea\n\u05d4\u05de\u05d6\u05d5\u05df \u05db\u05d4\u05dc\u05db\u05d4 \u05de\u05d0\u05ea \u05d4\u05e8\u05d1 \u05de\u05e9\u05d4 \u05d5\u05d9\u05d0 \u05e9\u05dc\u05d9\u05d8”\u05d0 \u05e9\u05e2\u05e8 \u05e8\u05d0\u05e9\u05d5\u05df \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05d0’ \u05e9\u05de\u05d0\u05e8\u05d9\u05da \u05d1\u05d6\u05d4<\/p>\n\n\n\n [6]<\/a> As\nwe know, the Torah was not \u201cgiven to angels,\u201d and we are not expected to be\nable to avoid eating something which we can\u2019t see. In truth, the insects we are\ndiscussing are all considered by Halacha to be visible to the naked eye, nir\u2019eh\nl\u2019einayim<\/em>. This means that they can be seen without the aid of any special\nmagnification or tools. A jeweler\u2019s loupe or light box may be used to make\nchecking easier, quicker, and more efficient, but they are not used to find\ninsects that otherwise would not be visible due to their size \u05e2’\n\u05d0\u05d2\u05e8\u05d5\u05ea \u05de\u05e9\u05d4 \u05d9\u05d5”\u05d3 \u05d7”\u05d3 \u05e1\u05d9\u05de\u05df \u05d1’.\nThe fact that bugs can hide in the crevices of a strawberry or raspberry or in\nthe folds of kale does not<\/em> make them invisible to the naked eye (\u05e2’ \u05d7\u05db\u05de\u05ea \u05d0\u05d3\u05dd \u05db\u05dc\u05dc \u05dc”\u05d7 \u05e1\u05d9’ \u05d7’, \u05e2\u05e8\u05d5\u05d4”\u05e9 \u05e1\u05d9’ \u05e4”\u05d3 \u05e1\u05e2\u05d9\u05e3 \u05dc”\u05d5).<\/p>\n\n\n\n [7]<\/a>\u05d9\u05d5”\u05d3 \u05e6”\u05d8 \u05e1\u05e2\u05d9\u05e3 \u05d4’ <\/p>\n\n\n\n [8]<\/a> Ibid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n [9]<\/a> \u05d9\u05d5”\u05d3 \u05e1’ \u05e7’ \u05e1\u05e2\u05d9\u05e3 \u05d0’<\/p>\n\n\n\n [10]<\/a> As\nopposed to baby kale or Tuscan kale, which have much flatter leaves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n [11]<\/a> This\ndoes not include organic fruits that are not known to harbor infestation, such\nas mangoes, cherries, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n [12]<\/a>\nThey can still be checked\/washed per instructions found at www.checkforinsects.com<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n [13]<\/a> See\n\u05d3\u05e8\u05db\u05d9 \u05ea\u05e9\u05d5\u05d1\u05d4 \u05e7”\u05d7 \u05e1”\u05e7 \u05db’ However, buying pre-made blended\nitems (i.e., not custom blended<\/em> for you), like commercial raspberry\njuice, is permitted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n [14]<\/a> \u05d9\u05d5”\u05d3 \u05e1\u05d9’ \u05e4”\u05d3 \u05e9”\u05da \u05e1”\u05e7 \u05dc”\u05d7 \u05d5\u05d8”\u05d6 \u05e1”\u05e7\n\u05db’<\/p>\n\n\n\n [15]<\/a> \u2018Washing\nwell\u2019 means soaking in a detergent-based solution and rinsing thoroughly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
l\u2019chatchila <\/em>(i.e., one may not perform the nullification process with specific
intention<\/em> to nullify the prohibited item).[7]<\/a>
For example, if milk would fall into one\u2019s cholent, but there is not enough to
be 1:60, one is not allowed to add more cholent to the mixture in order to reach
1:60. Furthermore, if one would intentionally add more cholent for the purpose
of achieving 1:60, it would not even help and the cholent would remain
prohibited.[8]<\/a>
<\/li>\n\n\n\n
like a whole insect, it is not able to be nullified at all, even if 1:60 is
achieved.[9]<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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