Reeort From The KIC 10 Problems The '{Ie Has Recently Noted In Flatbush All recommendations have been implemented. The Kashrus Information Center (Klq in Brooklyn monitors locaf establishments and makes recommendations to the various kash­ rus agencies, reports back to the KIC Vaad Hapoe/ and answers consumers questions about kashrusissues. Since the first issue of New York Kosher frozen broccoli yvhich was not acceptable News in October, the KIC (Kashrus Information to the kosher-certifying agency of the Center of Brooklyn), 718-375-0505, has dis­ pizza store. covered the following problems in Flatbush 7. A bagel store was asked to post a sign that eateries and reported them to the ray all their products should be considered hamachshir of the establishment. In aU cases dairy as they use a dairy oven for all their corrections have been made. baked products. Most establishments, even meat establish­ 8. In one pizza store a non-kosher variety of ments, in Brooklyn do not have a mashgiach Snapp,e was delivered in error. Once no­ temidi. Some will have a designated shomer ticed, it was placed in the bottom of the dis­ Shabbos Jew on the premises at all times but play case. The KIC removed it from the store. his job title may not be mashgiach. 9. At one establishment, a non-Jew was putting 1. In a Brooklyn bakery [with J. hashgachos] portobello mushrooms buttermilk was found on a pareve table into the oven without next to where the bakers were working on removing any of the pareve items. dark underside, which 2. In a meat establishment oil was found must be removed due which was not authorized by the kosher­ to insect infestation. certifying agency. 10. In a pareve/dairy establishment was found 3. In a meat establishment [with .f. hash­ non-cholov yisroel butter among the gachos] mayonnaise was found which was pareve margarines. This store has a mash­ not authorized by the certifying agency. gaich temidi. 4. In a pizza store (without a mashgiach) the As much as New York Kosher News would owner was found checking parsley and like to recommend that all stores have a scallions. The certifying agency requires mashgiach temidi, it may not be possible for that only certain kosher-certified commer­ all establishments to pay that kind of money. cially pre-checked salad greens be used. No However, what can be done is for the ray checking was permitted by the owner. hamachshir to better train the "designated shomer Shabbos" - the new term that is used 5. A kosher-certified greenhouse grown leafy to replace the "mashgiach" with a regular vegetable was being used in a pizzeria. worker who is shomer Shabbos and presuma­ The produce company recommends that bly can oversee kosher while he/she is work­ consumers wash and check the product ing at a his job in the establishment. This is before serving. At this establishment, the less than a "working mashgiach"; it is actually non-Jews were doing the washing and no a worker in lieu of mashgiach. But, even so, rechecking took place. he can be better trained to directly oversee 6. Another pizza store was using a brand of the kosher program. NYKN 10 New York Kosher News 0 January-February 2011 • POB 204, Brooklyn, NY 11204 I .