Following extensive efforts and an uncompromising battle,
rabbonim from the Jerusalem Rabbinate's Department for
Mitzvot Haaretz, in cooperation with rabbonim from the Center
for Agriculture According to Torah Law -- Kashrus Lemehadrin
headed by Rav Yosef Efrati, began to enjoy the fruits of
their labors as Seipack of Kfar Saba, Israel's largest apple-
coating manufacturer, joined other companies that already
produce kosher wax for polishing apples.
The substance used to coat apples to give them an attractive
shine posed major kashrus problems since it is generally
produced from insects and larvae grown in the Far East.
Recent findings showed that the substance is even more
problematic than previously thought, leading HaRav Yosef
Sholom Eliashiv to issue a ruling that yirei Hashem
should avoid this substance by peeling apples before use.
For years the rabbonim at the Department for Mitzvot Haaretz,
headed by Director Rav Shlomo Shulevitz, have been working to
develop an alternative to the coating material, even making
trips to distant locations to investigate the matter.
Eventually they discovered a completely kosher synthetic
alternative that meets all requirements and is of the same
quality as the existing product.
They quickly began negotiations with packinghouse managers to
introduce the new coating. At first they encountered firm
resistance based on concerns that the alternative substance
would prove unviable, but besiyata deShmaya various
packinghouses gradually began to introduce the new substance,
experiments proved successful and now many manufacturers have
joined the list of companies that use only kosher
coatings.
Following the last breakthrough, kosher lemehadrin
apple coatings are available at all food-wax factories. By
insisting on approved waxes, various rabbinates and kashrus
committees around the country help eradicate the problem of
non-kosher coatings at fruit distribution centers around the
country.
Rabbinical figures applauded the dedicated efforts by the
rabbonim at the Department for Mitzvot Haaretz, saying they
perform their duties lesheim Shomayim based on rulings
by gedolei Yisroel and their success demonstrates that
reformers should never lose hope of improving kashrus
standards.
