Topic Wiki

Links to kosher symbol lists. Each list is obviously only as reliable as its source

cRc: http://www.crcweb.org/agency_list.php

KosherQuest: https://kosherquest.org/kosher-symbols/

Approved alcoholic drinks from the Rabbanut.  http://www.jerusalemkoshernews.com/wp-content/uploads/%D7%9E%D7%A9%D7%A7%D7%90%D7%95%D7%AA-%D7%97%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%A4%D7%99%D7%9D-%D7%9E%D7%90%D7%95%D7%A9%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%9D.pdf

These are NOT Orthodox: https://sites.google.com/site/nonorthodoxkosher/home (even though some may look legit)


Informative post regarding Kashrus Agencies
Every hashgacha has +&-.


You can also submit any kashrus questions at
https://www.askcrc.org/ask
https://oukosher.org/ask-kosher-question/
https://www.star-k.org/ask-rabbi choose General Consumer Kashrus Questions in the Subject/Topic Dropdown list
https://www.ok.org/contact/ choose Kosher in the Attention Dropdown list



Author Topic: Kosher, Kashrus and Hechsherim Master thread  (Read 940263 times)

Online ExGingi

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Nov 2015
  • Posts: 15618
  • Total likes: 7711
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 19
    • View Profile
  • Location: 770
  • Programs: בשורת הגאולה. From Exile to Redemption. GIYF. AAdvantage Executive Platinum®
Re: Kosher, Kashrus and Hechsherim Master thread
« Reply #2120 on: April 03, 2019, 07:45:47 PM »
Quite a few people find the following labeling misleading. Even though it doesn't say חלב ישראל anywhere (IT IS NOT), the fact that the CRC has Hebrew words and בד"צ, as well as everything being an obviously Jewish brand, could make the unsuspecting consumer think that this is Cholov Yisroel. (I also wonder what לפסח כשר means ;) )

Update: CRC was contacted about this. It is my understanding that future labels of this won't have בד"צ on them. I wouldn't be surprised if an alert will come out.
I've been waiting over 5 years with bated breath for someone to say that!
-- Dan

Offline yitzgar

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Dec 2016
  • Posts: 3078
  • Total likes: 1277
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
Re: Kosher, Kashrus and Hechsherim Master thread
« Reply #2121 on: April 03, 2019, 07:56:21 PM »
Update: CRC was contacted about this. It is my understanding that future labels of this won't have בד"צ on them. I wouldn't be surprised if an alert will come out.
Can they just write chalav Stam?

Offline thaber

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 3784
  • Total likes: 465
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
    • View Profile

Offline Yonah

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2014
  • Posts: 608
  • Total likes: 386
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
    • View Profile
Re: Kosher, Kashrus and Hechsherim Master thread
« Reply #2123 on: April 04, 2019, 08:40:09 AM »
Quite a few people find the following labeling misleading. Even though it doesn't say חלב ישראל anywhere (IT IS NOT), the fact that the CRC has Hebrew words and בד"צ, as well as everything being an obviously Jewish brand, could make the unsuspecting consumer think that this is Cholov Yisroel. (I also wonder what לפסח כשר means ;) )



You reminded me of a kashrus discussion in grade school. The Rebbi asked how do we know a product is kosher, one kid said "it has hebrew letters'
to which the Rebbi Replied - what if it says טרייף on it?


Online ExGingi

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Nov 2015
  • Posts: 15618
  • Total likes: 7711
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 19
    • View Profile
  • Location: 770
  • Programs: בשורת הגאולה. From Exile to Redemption. GIYF. AAdvantage Executive Platinum®
Re: Kosher, Kashrus and Hechsherim Master thread
« Reply #2124 on: April 04, 2019, 09:46:18 AM »
You reminded me of a kashrus discussion in grade school. The Rebbi asked how do we know a product is kosher, one kid said "it has hebrew letters'
to which the Rebbi Replied - what if it says טרייף on it?

Unfortunately, in today's day and age, one needs to assume that עולם גולם. Just look how many people are fooled by the words בד״צ and מהדרין written on a product or establishment, without actually looking into what's behind them, which might be way below the standards that one would admittedly accept.
I've been waiting over 5 years with bated breath for someone to say that!
-- Dan

Offline Yonah

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2014
  • Posts: 608
  • Total likes: 386
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
    • View Profile
Re: Kosher, Kashrus and Hechsherim Master thread
« Reply #2125 on: April 04, 2019, 10:07:20 AM »
Unfortunately, in today's day and age, one needs to assume that עולם גולם. Just look how many people are fooled by the words בד״צ and מהדרין written on a product or establishment, without actually looking into what's behind them, which might be way below the standards that one would admittedly accept.

 I hear you - but honestly, I've got no problem with בד"צ עמי הארץ - those guys are the salt of the earth :)

Online yelped

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Mar 2015
  • Posts: 10465
  • Total likes: 3824
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 43
    • View Profile
Re: Kosher, Kashrus and Hechsherim Master thread
« Reply #2126 on: April 04, 2019, 01:44:01 PM »
old news https://twitter.com/crckosher/status/552188997217570818?lang=en
Why in the world didn't they fix it since then? IMO, they have to write Chalav Stam in big letters near the Hechsher. Otherwise, it's very misleading.
« Last Edit: April 04, 2019, 01:47:49 PM by yelped »

Offline Yonah

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2014
  • Posts: 608
  • Total likes: 386
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
    • View Profile
Re: Kosher, Kashrus and Hechsherim Master thread
« Reply #2127 on: April 04, 2019, 01:58:51 PM »
Why in the world didn't they fix it since then? IMO, they have to write Chalav Stam in big letters near the Hechsher. Otherwise, it's very misleading.

Why would you assume it's chalav yisroel to begin with? Shouldn't all dairy products (at least in the US) be assumed to be Chalav Stam unless otherwise specified?


Online yelped

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Mar 2015
  • Posts: 10465
  • Total likes: 3824
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 43
    • View Profile
Re: Kosher, Kashrus and Hechsherim Master thread
« Reply #2128 on: April 04, 2019, 02:08:56 PM »
Why would you assume it's chalav yisroel to begin with? Shouldn't all dairy products (at least in the US) be assumed to be Chalav Stam unless otherwise specified?
Not if it's branded with a very Jewish/Heimishe name, and a bunch of Hebrew letters. People don't expect a Jewish brand to be non cholov yisroel, as opposed to a non Jewish brand obtaining Kosher certification.

Online ExGingi

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Nov 2015
  • Posts: 15618
  • Total likes: 7711
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 19
    • View Profile
  • Location: 770
  • Programs: בשורת הגאולה. From Exile to Redemption. GIYF. AAdvantage Executive Platinum®
Re: Kosher, Kashrus and Hechsherim Master thread
« Reply #2129 on: April 04, 2019, 02:16:32 PM »
Not if it's branded with a very Jewish/Heimishe name, and a bunch of Hebrew letters. People don't expect a Jewish brand to be non cholov yisroel, as opposed to a non Jewish brand obtaining Kosher certification.

Exactly my point when I said

...the fact that the CRC has Hebrew words and בד"צ, as well as everything being an obviously Jewish brand, could make the unsuspecting consumer think that this is Cholov Yisroel.

How often does CRC (Chicago, not Hisachdus) put Hebrew wording under their emblem, as opposed to not doing so? Unfortunately, due to the עולם גולם situation I mentioned above, this is exacerbated by the fact that said Hebrew wording includes the word בד"צ.

Take for example a certification such as בד"צ בית יוסף in Israel, which IINM has as their official policy that they accept all other בד"צים. There's a huge percentage of the Kosher consumers that isn't well educated at what goes on, is very trusting and non-suspicious, and if they would know better, would actually tell you that some products certified by various בד"צים are way below the standards that they would admittedly accept.
I've been waiting over 5 years with bated breath for someone to say that!
-- Dan

Offline henche

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: May 2011
  • Posts: 4183
  • Total likes: 447
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Kosher, Kashrus and Hechsherim Master thread
« Reply #2130 on: April 04, 2019, 02:27:46 PM »
I can see how ppl would be confused, but really, everyone knows the CRC is not CY unless stated. 

Online ExGingi

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Nov 2015
  • Posts: 15618
  • Total likes: 7711
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 19
    • View Profile
  • Location: 770
  • Programs: בשורת הגאולה. From Exile to Redemption. GIYF. AAdvantage Executive Platinum®
Re: Kosher, Kashrus and Hechsherim Master thread
« Reply #2131 on: April 04, 2019, 02:53:02 PM »
I can see how ppl would be confused, but really, everyone knows the CRC is not CY unless stated.

Who is everyone? Did you take a scientific poll? Would you argue this in front of a judge?

How about an Israeli tourist who goes to a grocery store, and sees this? It doesn't say חלב נכרי (in Israel they don't use the invented euphemism "Chalav Stam" and if it said that, such tourist might not even suspect that it is not Cholov Yisroel.
I've been waiting over 5 years with bated breath for someone to say that!
-- Dan

Online aygart

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 17395
  • Total likes: 14333
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 14
    • View Profile
    • Lower Watt Energy Brokers
  • Programs: www.lowerwatt.com
Re: Kosher, Kashrus and Hechsherim Master thread
« Reply #2132 on: April 04, 2019, 04:44:08 PM »
Not if it's branded with a very Jewish/Heimishe name, and a bunch of Hebrew letters. People don't expect a Jewish brand to be non cholov yisroel, as opposed to a non Jewish brand obtaining Kosher certification.
Miller Cheese?
Feelings don't care about your facts

Online ExGingi

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Nov 2015
  • Posts: 15618
  • Total likes: 7711
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 19
    • View Profile
  • Location: 770
  • Programs: בשורת הגאולה. From Exile to Redemption. GIYF. AAdvantage Executive Platinum®
Re: Kosher, Kashrus and Hechsherim Master thread
« Reply #2133 on: April 04, 2019, 04:47:37 PM »
Miller Cheese?

There are some differences, but that might be splitting hairs. אה"נ I see no reason why they shouldn't clearly write on it חלב נכרי.
I've been waiting over 5 years with bated breath for someone to say that!
-- Dan

Offline Boruch999

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jun 2014
  • Posts: 1929
  • Total likes: 186
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Kosher, Kashrus and Hechsherim Master thread
« Reply #2134 on: April 04, 2019, 04:50:08 PM »
There are some differences, but that might be splitting hairs. אה"נ I see no reason why they shouldn't clearly write on it חלב נכרי.

They shouldn't write חלב נכרי because that's asur to eat lekulei alma, no?

Online ExGingi

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Nov 2015
  • Posts: 15618
  • Total likes: 7711
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 19
    • View Profile
  • Location: 770
  • Programs: בשורת הגאולה. From Exile to Redemption. GIYF. AAdvantage Executive Platinum®
Re: Kosher, Kashrus and Hechsherim Master thread
« Reply #2135 on: April 04, 2019, 04:50:40 PM »
They shouldn't write חלב נכרי because that's asur to eat lekulei alma, no?

OK. חלב הקאמפעניס.
I've been waiting over 5 years with bated breath for someone to say that!
-- Dan

Online aygart

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 17395
  • Total likes: 14333
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 14
    • View Profile
    • Lower Watt Energy Brokers
  • Programs: www.lowerwatt.com
Re: Kosher, Kashrus and Hechsherim Master thread
« Reply #2136 on: April 04, 2019, 04:53:27 PM »
OK. חלב הקאמפעניס.
Ah and the israeli tourist is going to understand exactly what they are trying to say ::)
Feelings don't care about your facts

Online ExGingi

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Nov 2015
  • Posts: 15618
  • Total likes: 7711
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 19
    • View Profile
  • Location: 770
  • Programs: בשורת הגאולה. From Exile to Redemption. GIYF. AAdvantage Executive Platinum®
Re: Kosher, Kashrus and Hechsherim Master thread
« Reply #2137 on: April 04, 2019, 04:58:54 PM »
Ah and the israeli tourist is going to understand exactly what they are trying to say ::)

They shouldn't write חלב נכרי because that's asur to eat lekulei alma, no?

IINM that's what they write in EY. CMIIW.
I've been waiting over 5 years with bated breath for someone to say that!
-- Dan

Online aygart

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 17395
  • Total likes: 14333
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 14
    • View Profile
    • Lower Watt Energy Brokers
  • Programs: www.lowerwatt.com
Re: Kosher, Kashrus and Hechsherim Master thread
« Reply #2138 on: April 04, 2019, 05:01:29 PM »
IINM that's what they write in EY. CMIIW.
They shouldn't write חלב נכרי because that's asur to eat lekulei alma, no?
OK. חלב הקאמפעניס.
Ah and the israeli tourist is going to understand exactly what they are trying to say ::)
There are some differences, but that might be splitting hairs. אה"נ I see no reason why they shouldn't clearly write on it חלב נכרי.
vichozar hadin
Feelings don't care about your facts

Online PlatinumGuy

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Apr 2011
  • Posts: 14958
  • Total likes: 2421
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 11
    • View Profile
Re: Kosher, Kashrus and Hechsherim Master thread
« Reply #2139 on: April 04, 2019, 05:02:36 PM »
IINM that's what they write in EY. CMIIW.
The Rabbanut doesn't rely on RMF and anything with Cholov Akum is labeled לא כשר.

The Rabbanut does allow Avkas Cholov Aku'm based on a hater by R Tzvi Pesach Frank which applies even to full blow Cholov Akum without אנן סהדי
״וזה כלל גדול: שישנא אדם כל דבר שקר. וכל מה שיוסיף שנאה לדרכי השקר – יוסיף אהבה לתורה.״ - אורחות צדיקים