Chicago Rabbinical Council Fruit and Vegetable Policy

May 2021

Below you will find the current cRc position on the proper checking and use of various fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables purchased in the United States. Infestation levels change due to seasons, growing environments, global imports, and other factors, and therefore the cRc constantly reviews its policies and cleaning methodologies, and the instructions noted below represent the most updated information as of the printing of this book. It is difficult to cover all the different varieties, so if you want to use a product which is not found on this list, please call the cRc office at (773) 465-3900.

A word of caution: This guide is primarily directed towards those experienced in the inspection of produce for insects. If you have never done so in the past, the cRc does not recommend that you start on your own by just reading the guide and policy. Rather, wait until you’ve been given some hands-on direction and become experienced enough and capable to do so. Furthermore, the actual insects may not be what you are expecting. They are not simple flies, roaches or spiders. Most of them are small and hard to find right away due to their size and color, but nevertheless forbidden to consume. For those “first-timers” we do offer an alternative method to clean leafy vegetables which is listed under “alternate method if no thrip-cloth is available”. When we refer to a “cRc cleaning thrip-cloth method” the following procedure should be followed:

Thrip-cloth Method (using a silk cloth) for lettuce (romaine, etc.):

You will need a large bowl, dish soap, 2 strainers, a thrip-cloth, and a light box.

1. Separate the leaves and place them into a bowl of water.

2. Put enough dish soap (a good choice would be Seventh Generation 0% fragrance) or kosher vegetable wash into the bowl until the water and leaves become somewhat slippery.

3. Agitate and soak the leaves in the soapy water for 1- 2 minutes.

4. Remove the leaves from the bowl, and discard the water.

5. Repeat steps 2-4. Alternatively (instead of repeating steps 2-4) one can wash each leaf under running water (both sides) and then place leaves into a new bowl of soapy water.

6. Remove leaves and pour the water through a thrip-cloth (fine silk cloth that can be purchased from the cRc) that is sandwiched between 2 strainers.

7. Check the cloth carefully on top of a light box or similar apparatus. If a bug is found, repeat. If no bugs are found, rinse and enjoy

Alternate Method if no thrip-cloth is available:

For large leafy vegetables: Separate leaves. Soak and agitate in soapy water. Gently rub a sponge over the entirety of each side of every leaf making sure to open all folds of the leaf. Rinse both sides of each leaf under running water. No further checking is required. For small leaf vegetables such as parsley, cilantro and other herbs: Follow steps 2-5 of the thrip-cloth cleaning method. One may then check the water using a clear basin in bright light very carefully for insects. (Please note that a lot of time is needed when checking the water as the insects will be harder to see when floating in water). If there are insects found in the water, the process should be repeated until no insects are found in the water. Then three samples or batches of the vegetable must be checked and if no bugs are found, the remaining produce may be used without further checking.

Please note that we do not recommend the use of salt water or vinegar to properly remove insects from fruits and vegetables. Another important point is that many times one comes across a fruit or vegetable that is unusually infested with insects. This is especially true with most organic produce. If left with no choice, the only way organic or highly infested produce can be consumed is if the above mentioned “thrip-cloth method” is used and repeated until the produce is clean. If after three times there are still bugs on the cloth, either throw out the batch, or continue the thrip cloth method until you have clean cloths twice in a row. Finally, when discussing bagged lettuces below we are not recommending them for the Pesach season where there is an additional concern of non-Pesach ingredients used in the wash.

According to cRc policy, one is permitted to thoroughly puree produce (when purchased for the purpose of blending) that is only moderately infested with insects. Before pureeing, one should first rinse the produce under running water to remove the surface, easy to remove bugs.

With regards to more heavily infested produce, such as fresh strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, and organic leafy produce (such as organic kale, romaine lettuce, etc.), or any produce that seems to be more infested than usual, one should avoid pureeing them altogether. If one would like to puree fresh strawberries, it would be permissible to do so provided that they are first soaked and agitated in soapy water (1 tablespoon of soap to 8 cups of water) for a minute, followed by a rinse.

Name Status Recommendation Acceptable A general inspection is needed to rule Alfalfa Sprouts Without out obvious infestation. Certification Use cRc cleaning thrip- cloth method, Amaranth Leaves as directed above.

Acceptable Does not need to be checked for insect Apricots Without infestation. Certification Requires a All whole artichokes not recommended. Artichokes, whole, Reliable Fresh and frozen artichoke bottoms do fresh Hashgacha not require certification.

Use cRc cleaning thrip- cloth method, Arugula as directed above.

Fresh asparagus must have the tips cut off and discarded. One should either Asparagus, Green peel the entire sides of the asparagus or remove all the triangular side leaves and wash well. Fresh white asparagus is permissible without further checking after rinsing Asparagus, White with water. Canned and Frozen are permissible only with a reliable hashgacha.

Baby Broccoli Use cRc cleaning thrip- cloth method,

(Broccolini) as directed above.

Barley may become infested at the food warehouse, retail store, or even one's own home due to prevailing conditions such as humidity, temperature and Acceptable other insect infestation. As such, one Barley, raw Without should make a cursory inspection of the Certification barley before purchasing (if possible) and before use, the barley should be placed in a bowl of cold water for a short time to remove any possible insects.

Acceptable Basil leaves, dried Without Whole or crushed is included. Certification

Use cRc cleaning thrip- cloth method, Basil, fresh as directed above.

Requires a Beans, canned Reliable Hashgacha

Beans processed in the United States and most other countries are centrifuged to remove bugs. As long as Acceptable beans are stored in cool and dry Beans, raw, dry Without conditions they will remain bug-free for Certification many months. For this reason, there is no need to check beans for insect infestation in the United States. Beans in another country or if you have reason to believe the beans may not have been stored properly may require further inspection for insects. Bean Sprouts, A general inspection is needed to rule fresh out obvious infestation.

A general inspection is needed to rule Beets, fresh out obvious infestation.

Require a Beets, canned or Reliable jarred Hashgacha

Separate the leaves and wash each Belgian Endive, Acceptable one individually under a stream of fresh water. Not Blackberries, fresh Recommended

In recent weeks we have seen a significant increase in insect infestation of blueberries. Accordingly, we recommend that the following procedure be done to all fresh blueberries until October 31, 2021.  Prepare a quart-sized bowl of soapy water per pint of blueberries.  Soak and agitate the blueberries in the soapy water for 20-30 seconds. Blueberries, fresh  Rinse blueberries in running water.  An exception to this is organic blueberries which should be washed and checked using the thrip-cloth method.

Additionally, U-pick blueberries should be avoided as they are often infested with scale insects and other bugs. One should only use them if they were first checked for scales and other insects using a thrip cloth. Frozen blueberries, without any kosher Acceptable sensitive ingredients added are Blueberries, frozen Without acceptable without certification. Organic Certification frozen blueberries are only recommended if being pureed. Use cRc cleaning thrip- cloth method, Bok Choy as directed above.

It is very impractical and close to impossible for the average consumer to properly check fresh or frozen broccoli. Not It is therefore highly recommended that Broccoli, fresh Recommended only product with a reliable hashgachah be used. Broccoli stems (no florets) may be used without checking after rinsing with water. The leaves must be washed using the cRc cleaning thrip- cloth method as Broccoli Rabe directed above. The broccoli -like buds (Rapini) are too difficult to check and should not be used. After months of research, the cRc continues to find a high amount of insect infestation in organic broccoli slaw. We therefore are no longer recommending using organic broccoli slaw without a reliable hashgacha.

The cRc has previously recommended the use of any (non-organic) broccoli slaw without any special washing or checking. However, this summer we have been finding an extremely high level of infestation which we believe are a result of an unusually hot season in Broccoli Slaw the growing areas plus a myriad of covid-19 related changes in the processing farms and plants.

Therefore, at this time, we recommend that broccoli slaw only be used after it is first checked with the thrip cloth method. We will continue to check broccoli slaw and the factors causing such high infestation. Once the situation returns back to normal we will alert the public of the change.

A general inspection is needed to rule Broccoli Sprouts out obvious infestation. One who insists on eating brussels sprouts, may separate all the leaves, Brussels Sprouts, wash them in a bowl of soapy water and fresh check them using the thrip cloth method. Requires a Brussel Sprouts, Reliable frozen and canned Hashgacha Requires a Bulgur Wheat Reliable Hashgacha Butternut Squash, A general inspection is needed to rule fresh out obvious infestation.

Any winter squash (this is squash that Butternut Squash, must be cooked before eating) that is frozen fully cooked requires hashgacha (due to the requirements of Bishul Yisroel). Remove outer 4 leaves, and rinse the Cabbage, fresh green remaining leaves thoroughly (front and back) under a stream of water Cabbage, Green or Acceptable Red, prewashed Without and shredded Certification (Cabbage Slaw)

Cabbage, Napa Use cRc cleaning thrip- cloth method,

(Chinese Cabbage) as directed above.

Acceptable Cabbage, pre- Without No further washing is required. washed Certification

Remove outer 4 leaves, and rinse the Cabbage, red/purple remaining leaves thoroughly (front and back) under a stream of water

Requires a general inspection to rule Carrots, fresh out any obvious infestation.

Frozen carrots without any added Carrots, frozen and kosher sensitive ingredients are canned acceptable without certification. Canned carrots need a reliable hashgacha. The washing and cleaning procedure for fresh cauliflower is as follows: 1. Remove green leaves from head. 2. Cut head into 8 pieces. 3. Prepare bowl of water mixed with vegetable Cauliflower, fresh wash. 4. Place (cut) cauliflower into bowl of water, and agitate for 30 seconds. 5. Remove cauliflower from water. Check water using the thrip- cloth method above.

If certified, no further checking is required. If not Canned or jarred cauliflower requires a Cauliflower, frozen certified, it must reliable hashgacha. be checked as one would check fresh cauliflower

Use cRc cleaning thrip- cloth method, Caulilini (baby as directed above. cauliflower)

Must be washed and checked well, Celery Stalks especially around the bottom of the stalk and around the leaves.

Chard, all varieties Use cRc cleaning thrip- cloth method,

(Swiss Chard) as directed above.

Chili Pepper (see Pepper, Chili, below) Use cRc cleaning thrip- cloth method, Chives as directed above.

Use cRc cleaning thrip- cloth method, Cilantro, fresh as directed above.

Use cRc cleaning thrip- cloth method, Collard Green as directed above.

Soak the husks in water with a generous amount of soap for several minutes while agitating it for part of that Corn Husks time. Rinse each husk individually, front

(tamales) and back, under a strong stream of water. Then check each husk using strong lighting.

The husk should be removed, and the Corn, on the cob, corn rinsed. Then a general inspection fresh is needed to rule out obvious infestation. Acceptable Frozen corn without any added kosher Corn, frozen, Without sensitive ingredients are acceptable All varieties Certification without certification. Requires a Corn, canned Reliable Hashgacha. Requires a Does not need to be checked for insect Cranberries, dried Reliable infestation. Hashgacha. Acceptable Cranberries, fresh Without Certification Canned Cranberry sauce and Canned and Frozen Cranberries are acceptable without certification as long as they do Cranberries, Acceptable not contain any kosher-sensitive canned, frozen & Without ingredients. In this context, citric acid, Cranberry Sauce Certification corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, sugar, and water are not kosher- sensitive. A general inspection is needed to rule Cucumbers, fresh out any obvious infestation.

Requires a Cucumbers, Reliable canned or jarred Hasgacha. Slice open a handful from the container and check inside. If no insects are Dates, fresh found the rest may be eaten without checking. This applies to all dates domestic, pitted etc.. With no additional flavors are acceptable even without a hechsher. Acceptable Slice open a handful from the container Dates, dried Without and check inside. If no insects are Certification found the rest may be eaten without checking. This applies to all dates domestic, pitted etc. Dill, fresh Use cRc cleaning thrip- cloth method,

as directed above.

Acceptable Dill weed, dried Without Certification A general inspection is needed to rule Edamame, fresh out obvious infestation

Acceptable Edamame, frozen Without Certification

Requires a Edamame, canned Reliable or jarred Hashgacha A general inspection is need to rule out Eggplant, Raw any obvious infestation.

Requires a Eggplant, canned Reliable or jarred Hashgacha

Use cRc cleaning thrip- cloth method, Escarole, fresh as directed above.

A general inspection is needed to rule Fava Beans, fresh out any obvious infestation.

Acceptable All frozen without any kosher sensitive Fava Beans, frozen Without ingredients is acceptable without Certification certification. Cut along length of fennel green "leaf" and check for bugs inside and around Fennel the area protruding from the bulb. Discard the roots. Use cRc cleaning thrip- cloth method, Fenugreek as directed above.

Slice open a handful from the container Acceptable and check inside. If no insects are Figs, fresh Without found the rest may be eaten without Certification checking. This applies to all figs (domestic, etc.) Acceptable Slice lengthwise. Check for wasps Figs, dried Without (black-ish appearance) and worms. Certification Must be spot checked for bugs. If they Flowers are found, the batch should not be used. Use cRc cleaning thrip- cloth method, Frisee as directed above.

Use cRc cleaning thrip- cloth method, French Sorrel as directed above.

Acceptable Fresh cloves require a general Garlic, raw, Without inspection to rule out any obvious Whole or peeled Certification infestation. Requires a Garlic, jarred, Reliable minced and/or in oil Hashgacha Grains processed in the United States and most other countries are centrifuged to remove bugs. As long as the grains are stored in cool and dry conditions they will remain bug-free for many months. For this reason, there is Grains, Raw Dry no need to check grains for insect infestation in the United States. Grains in another country or if you have reason to believe the beans may not have been stored properly may require further inspection for insects. Separate the large bunch of grapes into Grapes, fresh, 3 or 4 smaller bunches and rinse under all varieties cold water. Green Beans, fresh A general inspection is needed to rule

(String Beans) out obvious infestation.

Green Beans, Acceptable frozen Without (String Beans) Certification Requires a Green Beans, reliable jarred or canned hashgacha Cut scallion root from top to bottom of bulb; examine between thin layers where they merge from the bulb. If no insects are found, the remaining scallions may be consumed after thoroughly washing. If insects are found, the entire head must be checked carefully. Remove any leaf miner trails Green Onion, (seen below.) (Scallion)

Use cRc cleaning thrip- cloth method, Herbs, fresh as directed above.

Acceptable Herbs with no added kosher sensitive Herbs, dried Without ingredients are acceptable without Certification. hashgacha. Herbs, homegrown Use cRc cleaning thrip- cloth method, including indoors as directed above.

A general inspection is needed to rule Horseradish, fresh out obvious infestation.

Requires a Horseradish, jarred Reliable Hashgacha Jerusalem A general inspection is needed to rule

Artichoke out any obvious infestation.

A general inspection is needed to rule Jicama out any obvious infestation.

Use cRc cleaning thrip- cloth method, Kale, fresh as directed above.

Requires a It is very impractical and close to Kale, frozen Reliable impossible for the average consumer to Hashgacha properly check frozen Kale.

Remove and discard 4 outer green leaves. Remove remaining green leaves (if any) and rinse them

thoroughly under a stream of water. The Kohlrabi, fresh remaining white leaves may be used without any further checking other than a cursory inspection for obvious insect infestation. Kohlrabi, Acceptable Prewashed and without shredded Certification Cut along full length of the leek so every leaf is separated. Wash each leaf Leek thoroughly under running water. Remove leaf miner trails (see ‘green onion’ above) Lemon Grass, Use cRc cleaning thrip- cloth method, fresh as directed above.

Acceptable Frozen dried lemongrass without any Lemon Grass, Without kosher sensitive ingredients is dried, frozen Certification acceptable without certification. Lettuce, all besides Use cRc cleaning thrip- cloth method, iceberg as directed above. Use cRc cleaning thrip- cloth method, Lettuce, bib as directed above.

Use cRc cleaning thrip- cloth method, Lettuce, Boston as directed above.

Use cRc cleaning thrip- cloth method, Lettuce, butter as directed above.

Use cRc cleaning thrip- cloth method, Lettuce, iceberg as directed above.

Needs proper certification. Without Lettuce, iceberg hashgacha use cRc cleaning thrip- pre-washed cloth method, as directed above. Use cRc cleaning thrip- cloth method, Lettuce, Oak Leaf as directed above.

Use cRc cleaning thrip- cloth method, Lettuce, Raddichio as directed above.

Use cRc cleaning thrip- cloth method, Lettuce, Red Leaf as directed above.

Lettuce, romaine, Use cRc cleaning thrip- cloth method, not pre-washed as directed above.

Lettuce, romaine, Use cRc cleaning thrip- cloth method, pre-washed as directed above.

Use cRc cleaning thrip- cloth method, Lettuce, spring mix as directed above.

Lettuce, spring mix, Use cRc cleaning thrip- cloth method, pre-washed as directed above.

Mache, Use cRc cleaning thrip- cloth method, (Corn Salad as directed above. Greens)

Acceptable A general inspection is needed to rule Melons Without out obvious infestation. Certification Use cRc cleaning thrip- cloth method, Mint, fresh as directed above.

Acceptable Dried mint without any added kosher Mint, dried Without sensitive ingredients is acceptable Certification without certification.

Mulberries, fresh or Not dried Recommended

Fresh mushrooms must be rinsed and a Mushrooms, fresh cursory inspection is needed.

Acceptable All dried or frozen without any kosher Mushrooms, dried Without sensitive ingredients are acceptable or frozen Certification without certification. Requires a Mushrooms, Reliable canned and jarred Hashgacha Not Mushrooms, oyster Recommended Thoroughly wash each one under a Mushrooms, strong stream of water including the Portobello fan area beneath the crown. Thoroughly wash each one under a Mushrooms,

Shitake strong stream of water.

Use cRc cleaning thrip- cloth method, Mustard Greens as directed above.

Due to reports of that non-kosher Requires a crustaceans are occasionally being Nori Seaweed Reliable mixed into plain nori sheets, as well as Hashgacha shared oven lines with non-kosher product, the cRc recommends only buying Nori with a reliable kosher symbol. As the nori sheets will have a reliable symbol there is no longer a need to check each sheet against the light for insects. Unflavored raw nuts are acceptable without hashgachah, assuming there are no added sensitive ingredients. In this context, nuts which are merely blanched or pasteurized are considered Nuts “raw”. Any nuts which are roasted (dry roasted or oil roasted), cooked, boiled, canned, flavored, colored, or have added kosher-sensitive ingredients, require a reliable hashgachah. A general inspection is needed to rule Okra, fresh out any obvious infestation.

Acceptable Okra, frozen Without Certification Requires a Okra, canned, Reliable jarred Hashgacha All canned olives require hashgachah with the exception of black olives which Olives, canned, are acceptable in the USA only even jarred without a hechsher if they are only packed in water and salt. Requires a general inspection to rule Olives, fresh out any obvious infestation.

Cut off both ends of the onion. If the Acceptable layers of onion are tightly packed, then Onion, all varieties Without peel first layer of the onion or wash well. fresh Certification If the layers of onion are loose, wash each layer. Acceptable Onions, fresh cut Without Certification Requires a Onions, freeze Reliable dried and canned Hashgacha

Acceptable Onions, frozen Without Certification Use cRc cleaning thrip- cloth method, Oregano, fresh as directed above.

Acceptable Dried oregano without any kosher Oregano, dried Without sensitive ingredients added is Certification acceptable without certification. Use cRc cleaning thrip- cloth method, Parsley, fresh as directed above.

Acceptable Dried parsley without any added kosher Parsley, dried Without sensitive ingredients is acceptable Certification without certification. A general inspection is needed to rule Parsnip, fresh out any obvious infestation.

Pea & Pea pods, A general inspection is needed to rule fresh out obvious infestation.

Acceptable Frozen peas and peapods without any Pea & Peapods, Without kosher sensitive ingredients added are frozen Certification acceptable without certification. Requires a Pea & Peapods, Reliable canned, jarred Hashgacha A general inspection is needed to rule Pea Sprouts, fresh out any obvious infestation.

A general inspection is needed to rule Peanuts, raw out any obvious infestation.

Peanuts, canned, Requires a jarred, boiled, oil Reliable roasted Hashgacha Dried chili peppers with no added kosher sensitive ingredients is Pepper, Chili, dried acceptable without hashgacha. Canned, cooked and bottled chili peppers require a reliable hashgacha. Peppers, Hot A general inspection is needed to rule and/or Sweet, fresh out any obvious infestation. Peppers, Hot Requires a and/or Sweet, Reliable canned and jarred Hashgacha

Acceptable Pepper, ground: Without black, red or white Certification

Acceptable Peppercorns, Without whole Certification Pine Nuts,

See ‘Nuts’ above

Pistachio Nuts

See ‘Nuts’ above

Potatoes, all A general inspection is needed to rule varieties, fresh out any obvious infestation.

Potatoes, frozen, canned, instant, Requires a dehydrated, potato Reliable starch and potato Hashgacha flour Acceptable With no added flavors. Does not need Prunes, dried Without to be checked for insect infestation Certification A general inspection is needed to rule out obvious infestation. Pre-cut Radish, fresh acceptable, as long as there are no other ingredients.

Acceptable All domestic are acceptable even Raisins, domestic Without without a hechsher. Does not need to Certification be checked for insect infestation.

Rapini, (See Broccoli Rabe) Not Raspberries, fresh Recommended

Acceptable Must be washed and checked well, Rhubarb, fresh Without especially around the bottom of the Certification stalk and around the leaves. A general inspection is needed to rule Rice, Raw Dry out obvious infestation. Rice with added (all varieties kosher sensitive ingredients, as well as including Wild all canned, cooked, quick and instant Rice) rice requires a reliable hashgachah. The washing and cleaning procedure for fresh Romanesco Broccoli is as follows: 1. Remove green leaves from

head. 2. Cut head into 8 pieces. 3. Prepare bowl of water mixed with Romanesco vegetable wash. 4. Place (cut) Broccoli Romanesco Broccoli into bowl of water, and agitate for 30 seconds. 5. Remove Romanesco Broccoli from water. Check water using the thrip- cloth method above. Use cRc cleaning thrip- cloth method, Rosemary, fresh as directed above.

Acceptable Dried rosemary without any added Rosemary, dried Without kosher sensitive ingredients is Certification acceptable without certification.

A general inspection is needed to rule Rutabaga, fresh out any obvious infestation.

A general inspection is needed to rule out obvious infestation. All raw seeds Acceptable Seeds, all varieties without any added kosher sensitive Without fresh ingredients such as colors, flavors or Certification oils are acceptable even without hashgacha. A general inspection is needed to rule out obvious infestation. All raw and/or Acceptable dry roasted seeds without any added Sesame Seeds Without kosher sensitive ingredients such as Certification colors, flavors or oils are acceptable even without hashgachah. Acceptable Shallots, peeled A general inspection is needed to rule Without and washed out obvious infestation. Certification Use cRc cleaning thrip- cloth method, Sorrel as directed above.

A general inspection is needed to rule Soybeans, raw out obvious infestation.

Frozen soybeans without any kosher Soybeans, frozen sensitive ingredients added are acceptable without certification.

Requires a Spinach, canned Reliable Hashgacha

Use cRc cleaning thrip- cloth method, Spinach, fresh as directed above.

It is very impractical and close to Requires a impossible for the average consumer to Spinach, frozen Reliable properly check frozen spinach. Hashgacha Therefore, only product with a reliable hashgachah may be used.

Spinach, pre- Use cRc cleaning thrip- cloth method, washed as directed above.

Squash, all A general inspection is needed to rule varieties, fresh out any obvious infestation. The cRc (Chicago Rabbinical Council) has been finding a high occurrence of insects in strawberries so that the previous method of rinsing and rubbing under a strong stream of water is not being efficient in removing the bugs (especially those that are hiding under the seeds). Therefore, until further notice, we recommend the following method to clean the strawberries from insects: 1) cut off tops (try to avoid making a hole); 2) soak and occasionally agitate Strawberries, fresh strawberries in soapy water (do not substitute with vegetable wash) using a concentrated solution of approximately one tablespoon of dishwashing liquid mixed together with no more than 8 cups of water for 1- 2 minutes. (We have found Seventh Generation Non- Fragrance Natural Dish Liquid Soap to be the ideal soap for those who are concerned about a “soapy aftertaste”); 3) rub each strawberry thoroughly under a stream of cold water with hand. 4) soak and agitate strawberries a second time for 1- 2 minutes in new soapy water with the same ratio as above; 5) rinse strawberries. Once all five steps are done you may enjoy the strawberries without further inspection. Please note that this does not apply to organic strawberries that are very difficult to get cleaned and therefore should be avoided at this time. Of course, if one wants to avoid the above steps, one can eat the strawberries (even organic) by simply cutting off the tops and peeling off the entire outside of the strawberries, followed by a rinse. cRc does not recommend frozen strawberries even with hashgacha unless the certification clearly states it is “bug free”. However, any brand of frozen strawberries may be purchased if they will be used in pureed products such as smoothies. If one wishes to Strawberries, eat frozen strawberries, the following is frozen an approved method to clean them: 1) place them in water until defrosted 2) add a generous amount of soap or kosher veggie wash 3) agitate them for 20 to 30 seconds 4) rinse off with plain water.

Acceptable A general inspection is needed to rule String Beans, fresh Without out obvious infestation. Certification Sundried Tomatoes do not require Acceptable certification if no kosher sensitive Sun-dried Without ingredients are added. Tomatoes Certification All jarred and canned tomato products require a Hashgacha A general inspection is needed to rule out obvious infestation. All raw and/or Acceptable dry roasted seeds without any added Sunflower Seeds Without kosher sensitive ingredients such as Certification colors, flavors or oils are acceptable even without hashgachah.

Sunchokes A general inspection is needed to rule (Jerusalem out any obvious infestation. Artichokes)

Swiss Chard

See ‘Chard’ above

A general inspection is needed to rule Tomatoes, fresh out any obvious infestation.

Requires a Tomatoes, canned Reliable and jarred Hashgacha

A general inspection is needed to rule Turnip, fresh out any obvious infestation.

Use cRc cleaning thrip- cloth method, Thyme, fresh as directed above.

Acceptable Dried thyme, without any added kosher Thyme, dried Without sensitive ingredients, is acceptable Certification without certification

Verdolaga, fresh Use cRc cleaning thrip- cloth method,

(Mexican Parsley) as directed above. Use cRc cleaning thrip- cloth method, Watercress, fresh as directed above.

Zucchini, fresh A general inspection is needed to rule

(Summer Squash) out any obvious infestation.

Acceptable Frozen zucchini without any added Zucchini, frozen Without kosher sensitive ingredients is Certification acceptable without certification.