Canned Vegetables Need Hashgacha

If you've been reading the last few issues of KASHRUS, you've already seen that many kashrus agencies have adopted a new policy regarding canned vegetables--they need hashgacha and a good one at that. The "OU," OK," "Star-K" and "cRc" have announced to KASHRUS that that is now their new policy. Now another agency has followed suit.

The Atlanta Kashruth Commission (the "AKC") has sent us a copy of the letter that they sent out this summer to all of their supervised companies. In it, they inform these companies that the leading kashrus agencies have recently done a review of the canning industry, and have determined that canned vegetables (especially potatoes, mushrooms and corn) require supervision by a reliable kashrus agency. The Atlanta Kashruth Commission advised the companies that they have until January 1, 2001 to be in total compliance.

KASHRUS applauds these agencies and asks all kashrus agencies to inform us when they, too, will have instituted such a policy of using only canned vegetables with hashgacha.

Unfortunately, a brief look at what is happening here in Brooklyn shows that many of the hashgachos in Brooklyn have yet to implement this new kashrus policy. Readers are advised to inquire of agencies and establishments/caterers whether they are aware of these new developments which started this year. If they are not aware, advise that they contact one of the five agencies mentioned in this article for details.

Disclosure: Perhaps the time has come!

Recently, a vaad hakashrus took a bold step--disclosure of standards. Each establishment was required to list its standards: whose products were they using, were they pas yisroel, was the owner a shomer shabbos, etc. Each store dutifully posted the required declaration showing just who they were.

Things looked fine. But then something happened. That question about shomer shabbos toppled the whole program. Of course no one had to write that they were not shomer shabbos; they just had to leave it out. Therein lays the problem. It was considered a slight if someone had to leave that out. True, it was a communication with the public, but it was a pill too bitter to swallow, an embarrassment too deep to be quiet about. The pendulum swung the other way. The vaad was asked to cease asking for disclosure and the public went back to knowing little about the foods they ate.

KASHRUS feels that the idea of disclosure is a great idea, one to be implemented, albeit with a great deal of preparation to avoid the glitches which the inventors failed to forsee.

Part of a two page regular feature in the December 2001 issue of KASHRUS Magazine.