CHK Issues Kosher Alert for Produce Sold at the Market Place

CHK Kosher has issued a Kosher Alert for a number of items that were sold at the Market Place in Crown Heights which were mislabeled as being under the CHK certification.

CHK Kosher has issued a Kosher Alert for a number of items that were sold at the Market Place in Crown Heights which were mislabeled as being under the CHK certification.

Text of the Kosher Alert:

“Market Place Produce Department”

We regret to inform you that a few items sold at the Market Place Produce department until last Thursday March 30th, were mislabeled as being under the CHK certification.

● Mushrooms used in stir fry etc. and labeled Kosher for Passover:

We have been made aware of a potential kashrus for Pesach issue with these mushrooms and as a matter of precaution they should not be used. If you already bought these mixes, remove the mushrooms, wash the rest of the items before preparing. Any food which was already cooked before Pesach, is permitted to be eaten, however, we recommend removing the mushrooms. If cooked during Pesach, the food should be discarded, and the utensils (and oven, if baked uncovered) should be treated as non-kosher for Passover.

● Products containing not certified for Pesach Garlic powder:

“Garlic Potatoes ready to bake” was mislabeled Kosher for Passover. If bought, wash potatoes thoroughly before cooking. If cooked already before Pesach, it may be eaten. If cooked during Pesach, the food should be discarded, and the utensils (and oven, if baked uncovered) should be treated as non-kosher for Passover.

● Corn on the Cob and Bean Sprouts labeled as kosher for Passover:

These are considered Kitnios and are permitted for Pesach only for Sephardim. If you cooked them in a Pesach pot, the pot is still Kosher for Pesach.

● Brussels sprouts, Spring Mix, Green and Red Cabbage, Triple Washed Cut Kale, Washed and Checked mix Cabbage, Washed and Checked Cole Slaw, Endives, etc. (labeled as kosher for Passover) or packed under the CHK must still be washed and checked properly.

Note that Cut Celery, Dill, Cilantro, Parsley, and Romaine Lettuce, were washed and checked under the CHK and are Kosher for Passover if labeled.

● Diced Red Onions and Diced Onions may only be used if you can taste a bit of salt on them.

The general Chabad custom is to peel all vegetables on Pesach. All non-peeled vegetables should be peeled as per custom. Mixed squash noodles, green squash noodles, and beet noodles, may be checked for non-peeled parts that should be removed before using the rest.

As well, the general Chabad custom is not to use ginger on Pesach.

We would like to thank the Market Place management for working along with the CHK to address these issues going forward.

We would like to remind the public that it is crucial to ensure that all food items are marked Kosher for Passover.

Wishing you a kosher and joyous Pesach.
Rabbi Yosef Kirszenberg,
Kashrus Director, CHK