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Be In The Know: Dairy Do’s And Don’ts

Is it true that products labeled “Non Dairy” can have actual dairy ingredients in them? • Is there a difference between a product labeled “Dairy-Free” Vs. “Non-Dairy”? • What is the difference between OU-D and OU-DE? And how does that affect a product’s Cholov Yisroel status? • If a product has an allergy warning that says “May contain dairy” is that a kashrus concern? • Read More

Common Cheese Confusions
Compiled by Rabbi Nissan Zibell

There are a few cheeses on the market in which the same company will produce Cholov Yisroel Cheeses, as well as non Cholov Yisroel cheeses.

Most of the companies do have different labels and brand names to differentiate between the Cholov Yisroel and non Cholov Yisroel cheeses. However, many times, the colors, fonts, and general styles of the designs are similar enough, that many people have been led to mistakenly confuse the two and assume that a non Cholov Yisroel cheese was really the Cholov Yisroel kind.

Below are just some examples of cheeses that were unfortunately confused, leading to mistakes of consuming non Cholov Yisroel, and issues involving the need to kasher different equipment and utensils in the kitchen.

The brands of cheeses – Migdal, Haolam, and Millers are all owned by the same company, and produce cheeses with different brand names and labels.

Only the Haolam label is Cholov Yisroel. The Migdal, and Millers labels are not Cholov Yisroel. Since the packaging of Miller’s or Migdal often may have similarity to the Haolam packages, there can definitely be confusion for one not paying proper attention, or for one who doesn’t know the difference between them. One needs to be careful to check the wording to make sure the product explicitly says Cholov Yisroel on it.

The brand Natural and Kosher which has cheeses that are Cholov Yisroel is the same company as the brand Les Petites Fermieres which is not Cholov Yisroel. Although these two also have different packaging and names, nevertheless, they still look similar due to their font, design and style, and many people have confused the two. One should also be aware that the OK certifies cheeses that are non Cholov Yisroel. A dairy product under the OK needs to specifically say Cholov Yisroel on it to confirm that it is so.

The brand Schtark, which is Cholov Yisroel and Oneg ,which is not Cholov Yisroel, are the same company with different labels. They may look similar but one should be aware that only Schtark is Cholov Yisroel.

An additional company, The Cheese Guy, actually has the same name for both Cholov Yisroel and Non Cholov Yisroel, and the way to differentiate between the two, is to pay close attention to the wording on each label to see if it says Cholov Yisroel bear the OU or not.

Spring Valley as well has cheese blintzes which are Cholov Yisroel and non Cholov Yisroel. One should make sure to see that it says clearly Cholov Yisroel.

Dairy or Not_

Common Cheese Confusions

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Drinking Milk, Milked by a Gentile, Creates Doubts in One’s Faith in G-d

That which you write regarding the young man….

This that I told him regarding cholov ak”um is – based on the known story of the Previous Rebbe (which I believe is also printed) that cholov ak”um creates doubts in one’s faith in G-d.

Here is what I related to him:

If at all times one needs to be cautious in the above, as is understood and obvious, then all the more so with the youth in the United States, particularly those who study where there is “a mixture of good and evil” and “one nation will battle another nation,” as is easily understood.

This which you write regarding his health, as I recall he clearly said that he currently is located in …. and only

returns home on rare occasions. Nevertheless, the matter is not in my hands to change that which is explicitly stated (in Torah sources). And It’s obvious that it’s impossible for one to take upon oneself the liability of ignoring something that, as mentioned above, creates doubts in one’s faith in G-d.

That which you link this [his observance] to an inability to use his parents’ dishes – is not understood, as dairy foods have their own designated utensils. As such, this is does not apply to all of their utensils, nor many of their foods.

-Igros Kodesh, Volume 16, Page 243

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Tags: Kashrus: Be in the know