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NEWS
CAUTION, CHODOSH!
by R' Chaim Morgenstern, Kiryat Sefer
The problem of chodosh starts in late summer (as early
as September) and lasts until Pesach, as the spring crop of
grains (wheat, barley, oats, rye and spelt) which is planted
and harvested after Pesach, enters the food market. The major
problem in Eretz Yisroel is with imported foods with
hechsherim from abroad, e.g., cereals, cookies,
crackers, pasta, etc., or other products with grain additives
such as corn flakes which are flavored and colored with malt,
a barley derivative, and soft chewy candies such as licorice
and sour sticks which contain wheat. The percentage of
chodosh in U.S. products varies from 65-90 percent!
For various reasons, the kashrus organizations in Chutz
La'aretz permit chodosh products, following the
heter of the Mishna Berurah (489:45). However,
even the Mishna Berurah concludes that a ba'al nefesh
should be machmir as much as possible, since many
Rishonim hold that it is an issur deOraisa. In
Eretz Yisroel there is even more reason to be
strict.
Production dates can be ascertained by reading the labeling
codes on each package. A guide to deciphering these codes is
in my possession and those needing assistance can call 08-974-
1229. The guide is for products manufactured in the U.S.
only. Information on products manufactured in Europe and
Canada can be obtained by contacting the certifying kashrus
organizations.
Kellogg's cereals, Paskesz candies and Mornflake oats under
the hashgochoh of the Manchester Beis Din and Rav
Westheim, are from yoshon grains.
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