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The Following OU Kosher Advisories and Alerts were released by the Orthodox Union’s Kosher Division on the date indicated.

Please remember to always check the label before purchasing any item that needs Kosher certification!

March 01, 2011

• Bugles Original - General Mills

  Products:

  Bugles Original

  Company:

  General Mills - Minneapolis, MN

  Issue:

  Please be advised that General Mills has discontinued OU-D kosher certification from all retail and foodservice sizes of Bugles Original products due to operational changes at the production sites.
  
  The OU-D symbol has been removed from packaging.
  
  
  Consumers are likely to see some Bugles Original packages with the OU-D symbol and some without as the transition occurs.

February 24, 2011

• Kashrus Advisory Clarification - RAM Caterers

  Issue:

  The OU has provided kashrus certification for Ram Catering for over 35 years, and continues to do so at Shaarei Zion in Brooklyn, NY and Magen David in Deal, NJ. The previous OU advisory about Ram Caterers was to state that the OU is not providing supervision of Ram Caterers for Passover. Any Passover kashrus certification lies with each individual program. The previous advisory did not comment on the kosher status of Ram Caterers or any programs that they will be catering at for Passover.

February 22, 2011

• Richfood - White Cranberry Strawberry Juice Cocktail

  Brands:

  Richfood

  Products:

  White Cranberry Strawberry Juice Cocktail
  UPC: 1116607461

  Company:

  Supervalu Inc. - Eden Prairie, MN

  Issue:

  This label mistakenly bears an unauthorized OU and is not kosher. Consumers who see these products with an OU should please contact 212-613-8344. The product is being withdrawn from the market.

February 18, 2011

• Harmony Gummy Bears and Gummy Worms

  Brands:

  Harmony

  Products:

  Gummy Bears and Gummy Worms

  Company:

  Diamond Foods - Fishers, IN

  Issue:

  This product is not OU certified. A small quantity of these products have been distributed with an OU symbol on the outer box. The boxes are being re-labeled. Consumers who see these products with an OU should please contact 212-613-8344.

February 10, 2011

• Gefen Sardines

  Issue:

  There is an issue that has been observed (so far exclusively) in Gefen sardines from Portugal canned in 5769 and 5770. Several other brands from other countries have been checked and found to be clean. We have yet to observe the following concern in any other OU sardine products.
  
  OU Mashgichim checking the gut cavities of sardines have recently discovered small white worms around the internal organs of some sardines (not IN the stomachs, which is a separate issue regarding krill in the stomach of some sardines from Canada). These worms can be distinguished from various sardine blood vessels and sinews in that the worms maintain their shape fairly rigidly, even when agitated in water. They can be curled up or spread out, found most commonly on the underside of the ovaries. The Shulchan Aruch differentiates between parasites found in the flesh of fish (which are permitted) and those found in the stomach, head, behind the ears, etc (which are forbidden).
  
  Due to the difficulty involved in removing the parasitic worms found in the abdominal cavity of sardines, consumers are advised to return unopened cans of Gefen sardines from Portugal to their store of purchase, for a full refund.
  
  In addition, skinless and boneless sardine products are free from this issue.
  
  The Orthodox Union continues to research the issue, and will advise further should we discover this issue in any other products.
  

February 03, 2011

• Ideal - Mushrooms

  Brands:

  Ideal

  Products:

  Suillus Luteus Mushrooms (in jar)
  Mixed Mushrooms (in jar)
  Champignon Mushrooms (in jar)
  

  Company:

  Prime Foods USA LLC - Philadelphia PA

  Issue:

  These products mistakenly bear an unauthorized OU, and do not meet OU kosher standards. The company is implementing corrective measures. Consumers who see this product with an OU should please call 212-613-8344.
  

February 01, 2011

• SPLENDA® - Flavors for Coffee - Mocha

  Brands:

  SPLENDA®

  Products:

  Flavors for Coffee - Mocha

  Company:

  McNeil Nutritionals - Fort Washington, PA

  Issue:

  This product erroneously bears the OU-Pareve symbol although it contains a dairy ingredient. All future cartons will be printed with the correct OU-D designation.

January 24, 2011

• Better Made Corn Pops - 8 ounce

  Brands:

  Better Made

  Products:

  Corn Pops - 8 ounce

  Company:

  Better Made

  Issue:

  This product which is available in OH and MI is labeled with an OU, however, it contains non-certified ingredients. It is being recalled, and corrective measures are being implemented.

January 21, 2011

• 7 Seas - Frozen Gravlax Smoked Salmon

  Brands:

  7 Seas

  Products:

  Frozen Gravlax Smoked Salmon

  Company:

  7 Seas Company - British Columbia, Canada

  Issue:

  Consumers of OU products are advised not to consume 7 Seas Gravlax Smoked Salmon, as it appears that a non kosher ingredient was used in that product. Consumers that see the product in the market should please contact the Orthodox Union at 212-613-8344.

January 18, 2011

• Thermogenics - 24 Hour Thermogenics Choco Lettes

  Brands:

  Thermogenics

  Products:

  24 Hour Thermogenics Choco Lettes

  Company:

  Health Management Care a.k.a. Diet Center

  Issue:

  This product bears an unauthorized OU-P mark. This product is not certified by the Orthodox Union, and is not kosher for Passover. Corrective measures are being implemented. Consumers who see this product should please call the Orthodox Union at 212-613-8344.