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Pizza Delivered without a Kashrus Seal

One of the lesser-known halachos is that cheese is among the food items that must have at least one chosam (seal) if delivered by a non-Jew or a Yisrael chashud—a Jew who is suspected of not keeping Torah and mitzvos in general, and kashrus in particular.

A practical application of this halacha is a questionable pizza delivery. In the absence of a kashrus seal, there is a possibility, albeit remote, that the box’s contents may have been tampered with and switched for a non-kosher pizza (a pizza made with gvinas goyim, unsupervised cheese, or other unsupervised ingredients). Of course, the same issue applies to a cheese danish delivery. If one received such a delivery, they should ask a rav whether it may be eaten. Certainly, a kashrus agency which allows such methods of delivery should not be trusted. Halacha2Go #291

Bread Delivered by a Non-Jew

Q. I learned that bread these days (since it includes many kosher-sensitive ingredients) is one of the foods that needs a seal when delivered by a non-Jew. If so, is it permitted to buy kosher pas yisrael bread in non-Jewish stores (Trader Joes, Walmart) if the package is not sealed and just twist-tied or clipped with a “bread clip” (like in the attached picture)? Also, what about ordering a delivery of such bread from these stores, when the delivery person isn’t Jewish?

A. You may buy such bread in the store, after verifying with the hechsher that it has arrived there in a kosher manner. However, you should avoid getting such bread delivered to you from the store, unless the bags are tied, or the delivery box is sealed. #32733*

Do wine bottles need to have the Hechsher printed on the cork?

Q. I recently started importing wines with a very good hashgacha and almost all the bottles have the hechsher printed on the cork, but some of the bottles do not. I Inquired with the manufacturer, and they told me that due to supply chain and time constraints the hashgacha allowed them to use corks without the hechsher printed on them. In my daas baal ha’batim, this doesn’t sound right. It sounds like delivering food without a seal. Is this acceptable?

A. If the corks are fastened in the wine bottles in a way that if opened by someone it would be very hard or impossible to put it back to look as it was (as in most cases with wine bottles), then it would be considered a seal even if there is no hashgacha printed on it.

Even if not, there is a debate amongst the poskim if wine nowadays needs two seals (like it says in Shulchan Aruch) or one seal would be enough.

Thus, if the wine is mevushal then the cork is sufficient according to all. If it is not mevushal, then according to some opinions there should be a second seal, for example (like a lot of wines have) a piece of plastic that covers the cap/cork and top of bottle tight in a way that once opened it can’t be returned.

(Even if it only has a cork, if the company’s name is printed on it one may rely on the lenient poskim.)

In any case, after the fact one may rely on the lenient poskim who hold that one seal is sufficient. #26434*

Delivering Unsealed Kosher Food Through a Non-Jew

Q. Our school kitchen prepares food for multiple school buildings. The food is prepared in the kitchen and then some of it is also transported to other locations. Generally, we have a regular, frum driver, but many times it is transported via car service. There is no fleishig. It’s either milchig or pareve (including fish sticks/tuna). Does the car service need to be Shomer Shabbos? Or is being Jewish sufficient?

A. If it’s a set driver every time that would be afraid to lose his job if he gets caught tampering with the food, one may be lenient and use him.

If it’s not a set driver, he needs to be a Yid who is careful with eating kosher (he does not need to be shomer shabbos in regards to this halacha). If not, then there would be an issue also with fish and milchigs if it’s not sealed properly. #13306*

Q. If a non-Jewish kitchen worker rides over to the other location with his bicycle, bringing me a tuna sandwich from the kitchen that’s not double ‘sealed’ (it’s double-wrapped with saran wrap plus silver foil, with no tape or special siman) can it be eaten or not?

A. A siman has to be a significant sign that indicates that there is no chance of it being switched like a stamp and/or a seal. If one could recognize the food and knows for sure where it comes from, it is also fine.

When riding a bicycle through reshus ha’rabim one may be lenient after the fact, unless it’s a frum neighborhood then it shouldn’t be a problem at all. #13306*

Q. A friend dropped off a bag of cooked meat outside my house that was left unsupervised for a while. Can it be eaten?

A. If there is a teviyas ayin that it is the same meat or chicken that was sent, e.g. it is identifiable in the manner it was cut (you can verify this by sending a picture of the food to the one who sent it to you) or the food was in a public place where people would see if the meat or chicken was exchanged then there is no concern, after the fact. #3018*

*References are available for this Halacha on the websites: www.Halacha2Go.com and www.AskTheRav.com.

Please note that these halachos apply in general situations, if you are unsure whether the halacha applies to your particular situation, please consult a Rav

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