Kosher, Kashrus and Hechsherim Master thread

[Iz]

Of course. Just pick the ones without flavors if you're worried about the hashgocha.

There are also 3rd party pods under other hechshers, but I'd be very surprised if you are told that you can't use Nespresso unflavored pods under their hechsher.

Got it. Thanks!

[ExGingi]

Of course. Just pick the ones without flavors if you're worried about the hashgocha.

There are also 3rd party pods under other hechshers, but I'd be very surprised if you are told that you can't use Nespresso unflavored pods under their hechsher.

I asked the same source that told me (with details) that the Hashgocho is unreliable, whether the unflavored pods could be used. His response was that he's unfamiliar with the manufacturing/packing process of the pods in order to comment. Generally unflavored coffee doesn't need hashgocho, he just wasn't sure if there's anything unique about the pods.

[Dan]

I asked the same source that told me (with details) that the Hashgocho is unreliable, whether the unflavored pods could be used. His response was that he's unfamiliar with the manufacturing/packing process of the pods in order to comment. Generally unflavored coffee doesn't need hashgocho, he just wasn't sure if there's anything unique about the pods.

I've asked a higher-up in the OU about pods and was told they're OK. As I said, AYLOR.

[Dan]

Does anyone know about the reliability of Badatz of Basel, Switzerland? Thanks.

Rabbi Eidlitz has Nespresso under Basel Kosher Commission (Rabbi Levinger) on his acceptable products for Pesach kosher list:
https://kosherquest.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/KIB-pesach-2018_with-cover2.pdf

So that should settle that.

[ExGingi]

Rabbi Eidlitz has Nespresso under Basel Kosher Commission (Rabbi Levinger) on his acceptable products for Pesach kosher list:
https://kosherquest.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/KIB-pesach-2018_with-cover2.pdf

So that should settle that.

Well, I find his language possibly misleading:

Coffee Nespresso Capsules - This product is under
Basel Kosher Commission (Rabbi Levinger) yearround
and does NOT require a special certification
for Pesach. This product-line includes Nespresso
Classic (NC) Range, Nespresso Professional (NP)
Range and Nespresso Vertuo

Yet even Rabbi Levinger clearly states that:

Nespresso Classic – Variations: Vanilio, Caramelito, Ciocattino, Ciocco Ginger, Vanilla Amaretti, Vanilla Cardamom, Apfelstrudel, Linzer Torte, Sachertorte,
Nespresso Vertuo – Variations: Vanizio, Hazelino, Caramelizio, Pumpkin Spice Cake, Gingerbread, Banana Bread.
Nespresso Professional – Variations:  Espresso Caramel, Espresso Vanilla
produced by Nestle Nespresso, in Orbe and Romont, Switzerland, are kosher parve but not for Passover use.

Now one could interpret Rabbi Eidlitz's guide to say only unflavored, if it is read after some of the preceding paragraphs, but I would say the language "This product is under Basel Kosher Commission (Rabbi Levinger) yearround and does NOT require a special certification for Pesach" could definitely be misleading.

Furthermore. People in the know (who have interacted with Rabbi Levinger or met his so-called mashgichim) told me that a product under his certification is to be treated as one with no certification. If none is required, then it's good, otherwise, can't be trusted.

ETA: I just went back to search for what I was told about Levinger on a whatsapp group, and here is the exact quote: "Levinger is worthless as a hashgacha. He has a Goy mashgiach in Turkey." "ומצווה לפרסם".

[Iz]

According to my kashrus expert, unflavored coffee with caffeine does not need a hashgocha, even for Pesach. Flavored or decaf coffee always needs a hashgocha, for which this hechsher is sufficient, except for Pesach, when he would not rely on it. If you want more details, feel free to PM me.

[aygart]

According to my kashrus expert, unflavored coffee with caffeine does not need a hashgocha, even for Pesach. Flavored or decaf coffee always needs a hashgocha, for which this hechsher is sufficient, except for Pesach, when he would not rely on it. If you want more details, feel free to PM me.

https://oukosher.org/passover/guidelines/food-items/coffee/

Coffee & TeaOU Kosher StaffAll unflavored ground coffees are acceptable for Passover use when bearing an OU.Decaffeinated coffee:Coffee is often decaffeinated by means of ethyl acetate, which is derived from either kitniyot or chometz. Certain brands of decaffeinated coffee are approved when appearing a regular OU symbol. Please check the OU Passover product search or consult the OU Passover guide for a complete list.Instant coffees often contain maltodextrin, which is derived from either corn (kitniyot) or wheat (chometz). Therefore, all instant coffees require special Passover certification. Please check the product search or consult the OU Passover guide for a complete list of instant coffees approved with a regular OU symbol.Keurig/K-Cups: K-Cup Packs are NOT regular coffee grounds. Therefore one may not use their year-round or office Keurig on Pesach unless it is cleaned extremely well and kashered. (Please see the Modern Kitchen article on p. 24 of our Passover directory for exact details). For those wishing to invest in a new Keurig machine, there are indeed several dozen K-cups that are acceptable for Pesach, even though they are not labeled OU-P. A complete list is available on the oupassover.org search engine.Please be advised that the OU symbol often appears on the box and not on the individual cup.Unflavored tea bags (including black, white, and green) are acceptable for Pesach without special supervision. Decaffeinated and instant teas require special Passover certification unless listed as approved with a regular OU symbol. See product search or the Passover guide for a complete list.

On the other hand....

http://www.ok.org/isitkosher/coffee-kosher-passover/
Is Coffee Kosher for Passover?[/size]Coffee production poses many Passover concerns, so special Kosher for Passover certification is required.
See over 560 coffee products certified OK Kosher for Passover[/size]5 coffee concerns on PassoverInstant coffee is frequently spray dried. While most coffee facilities own their own spray dryers, some send their products to be spray dried at outside (non-coffee) facilities. These outside facilities could be drying many other products including chometz. Without proper hashgacha and koshering between runs it would render the products not acceptable for Pesach
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• Another challenge relates specifically to decaffeinated coffee. One of the methods used to decaffeinate the coffee relies on the use of ethyl acetate, which can be derived from chometz.

• Some facilities that pack coffee also pack drinks derived from grains. Though not a year-round kashrus concern, this can be a Passover concern if there is no hashgacha to ensure that the equipment was properly cleaned for Passover.

• In addition, over the years coffee has become quite an expensive product. An unscrupulous company may have an incentive to adulterate the coffee with other ingredients, which could again be chometz.

• Flavored coffees come with a separate set of possible concerns. Flavors can be made up of many ingredients, including many which are unacceptable for Passover and may even be non-kosher. For this reason, flavored coffee requires a hechsher for year-round use and should be avoided on Passover unless bearing a special Passover certification.

[avromie7]

He has a Goy mashgiach in Turkey." "ומצווה לפרסם".

I don't know the details of what happened there, but it wouldn't necessarily be an issue.

[myi]

Does that P near the triangle k mean Kosher lipesach?

[how]

Does that P near the triangle k mean Kosher lipesach?

Purim

[A3]

Does that P near the triangle k mean Kosher lipesach?

It's a triangle K, so I doubt it means kosher lipesach. I would think more like Passover

[myi]

Purim

Lol.
  Let alone the triangle k for the year I will use but for pesach wanted to know what that little p was all about?

[myi]

What do you guys have to say about these olives?

[moko]

What do you guys have to say about these olives?

Been confirmed by R' Cheskel Meisels that it is NOT kosher lpesach

[DTM]

How does Gefen explain the label? More importantly, what will they do to inform the public before Pesach? Not everyone will read the English, especially if sold in Israel and even here in some Chasidishe areas.

[Moshe123]

Just another reason to back the chumrah of minimizing bought products for pesach, the most possible.

[moko]

What do you guys have to say about these olives?

[Live N Learn]

I'll make this offer...if anyone is in Boston and would like to see how KVH Kosher operates, I'll personally (bl"n) give them a tour of a food service facility of their choice. Answer any question they ask...

Any Chol Hamoed tours? 

[moko]

Any Chol Hamoed tours? 

sure. We have several places open for pesach

[shaulyaakov]

What actually the story with milk bought on Chol Hamoed? Regular Chalav Stam.