Tu B’Shvat Guide: Do Dried Fruits and Nuts Need A Hechsher



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    Tu B’Shvat Guide: Do Dried Fruits and Nuts Need A Hechsher

    As Tu B’Shvat fast approaches, Rabbi Nissan Zibell of Kashrus Be In The Know, presents a Kashrus guide on buying dried fruits and nuts • Article

    Compiled by Rabbi Nissan Zibell, Kashrus Be In The Know

    Important to note:

    This list does NOT apply to:
    Products From Israel or China.
    Any dried fruits that are freeze dried.
    Products for Pesach.
    All of the above require reliable Hashgacha.

    Please be careful to read the introduction to this list to avoid possible mistakes.

    General Guidelines:

    Added Potassium Sorbate or Sulfur Dioxide isn’t an issue.

    All dried fruit from Israel and China need Reliable Hashgacha.

    Freeze Dried – all freeze dried fruits need Reliable Hashgacha. There is heat involved in the process and the equipment many times has non-Kosher things also dried on it.

    Those dried fruits that need Reliable Hashgacha is because belt release agents are added to the machinery handling them so it doesn’t stick. These release agents can be non kosher oils or the like. Some use animal stearate to prevent clumping. Since they are just processing aids and not an ingredient in the product, the companies don’t have to declare it on the label.

    Apples, dried – Requires reliable Hashgacha.

    Apricots, dried – without additives, do not require Reliable Hashgacha, but needs checking for bugs. Sulfur dioxide isn’t an issue. Some apricots have flavors or dairy probiotics added to them and need Reliable Hashgacha.

    Bananas, dried – Requires reliable Hashgacha.

    Barberries, dried – Not acceptable even with Hashgacha due to infestation.

    Blackberries, dried – Not acceptable even with Hashgacha due to infestation.

    Blueberries, dried – Requires reliable Hashgacha.

    Carob – Does not require Hashgacha, however, it requires inspection for insects; powdered carob, requires reliable Hashgacha.

    Cherries, dried – Requires reliable Hashgacha.

    Cranberries, dried – Requires reliable Hashgacha.

    Currants – Requires reliable Hashgacha.

    Dates – Without additives, do not require Hashgacha. Imported or domestic, whole or pitted dates, require inspection. Slice open to check. USA grown Medjool dates are generally less infested than other dates (Deglet Noor, etc.).

    Figs – Without additives, do not require Hashgacha. Added Potassium Sorbate isn’t an issue. However they require inspection by turning the fig inside out and looking for noticeable webbing, wasps and worms.

    Ginger, dried – Requires reliable Hashgacha.

    Goji Berries, dried – Highly infested. Not recommend to use even with Hashgacha.

    Lemon Peel, dried – Without any additives, does not require Hashgacha.

    Mandarines, dried – Without additives, do not require Hashgacha. Sulfur dioxide is not an issue.

    Mango, dried – Without any additives, does not require Hashgacha.

    Mulberries, dried – Not acceptable even with Hashgacha due to infestation.

    Nectarines, dried – Without additives, do not require Hashgacha. Sulfur dioxide is not an issue.

    Papaya, dried – Requires reliable Hashgacha.

    Peaches, dried – Without additives, do not require Hashgacha. Sulfur dioxide is not an issue.

    Pear, dried – Without additives, does not require Hashgacha. Sulfur dioxide is not an issue.

    Persimmon, dried – With no added flavors and as long as it’s not from Israel, does not require Hashgacha.

    Pineapples, dried – Without additives, do not require Hashgacha. Sulfur dioxide is not an issue.

    Prunes – Without additives, do not require Hashgacha. Sulfur dioxide is not an issue.

    Nuts – Unflavored & unsalted raw nuts are acceptable without hashgachah, assuming there are no added kosher sensitive ingredients. Nuts which are merely blanched or pasteurized (including steam pasteurization) are considered “raw”. Any nuts which are roasted (dry or oil roasted), cooked, boiled, canned, flavored, colored, or have added kosher-sensitive ingredients, require a reliable hashgachah.

    Raisins – Domestic without oil, do not require Hashgacha. Imported need Reliable Hashgacha.

    Raspberries, dried – Not acceptable even with Hashgacha due to infestation.

    Strawberries – Requires reliable Hashgacha.

    Tamarinds, dried– Does not require Hashgacha. Needs checking for bugs. Check for holes, which are signs of infestation.

    Watermelon, dried – Requires reliable Hashgacha.

     ***

    Kashrus: Be In The Know is an organization that was created with the intention to increase kashrus awareness and provide consumers with a knowledge of basic halacha, as well as important information regarding how foods are made and processed. With this information, they hope to help people in making educated choices when buying products.

    Although the classes are given by Rabbis who both work in reputable hashgachos, and have a depth of knowledge in Halacha as well as the food industry, the classes given do not reflect the opinions of the agencies they work for. It also does not in any way replace asking questions to a Rav. They encourage everyone to reach out to their Rav when deciding on personal Kashrus standards.

    To view past classes, visit their website at www.kashrusbeintheknow.com

    Click on links below to join for a short weekly class with practical and relevant kashrus information!

    Men’s Group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/HcTFbecRxCs5MXvOoTtNNF

    Women’s Group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CHa2Busa6bOAsGScqskagi

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