[Chodosh] Update from the Guide to Chodosh
CHODOSH BULLETIN FROM THE GUIDE TO CHODOSH Yoseph Herman, 15 Feb 17 WINTER WHEAT PROBLEM REVIEWED In mid January ‘17 we were informed by a mashgiach that matzos under his hashgocho are made from a combination of winter and spring wheat, contradicting our assumptions generated from the inception of the Guide to Chodosh that matzos are always exclusively from winter wheat making it Yoshon. This surprise led to a flurry of preliminary research. The research showed that indeed the winter wheat over the last several years has been declining in protein level. Therefore, even some items that used to be made exclusively from winter wheat now need to have some added spring wheat to make the product satisfactory. That revelation seemed to overturn one of the basic assumptions that have always been used by the Guide. Until now the assumption was that, with some known exceptions, items such as cakes, cookies, matzos, crackers, pretzels and other such “crunchy” and easy to break products use only winter wheat and are Yoshon. When we were first informed, we had no idea how far reaching are the consequences of this change and whether mashgichim who have been giving Yoshon hashgochos have been aware of this change. Therefore, we felt that our responsibility to the Yoshon-observant public that is relying on us, mandates that we issue a warning of possible unexplored Chodosh problems with items such as matzos, flour, pretzels, some cakes and cookies. These are all items that used to use only winter wheat. Hard work by kashrus organizations and other sources, and our further research has now led us to conclusion that we can now cautiously cancel that warning, but only for items under hashgocho for Yoshon. It is indeed true that many matzos, both machine and hand matzos, are made from spring wheat as well as the usual winter wheat. However, all the matzo bakeries we had contacted that do add spring wheat are making sure that the spring wheat is Yoshon (either by storing from the past year, or by using spring wheat from those few areas where the planting takes place before pesach.) Regarding other foods, for those with a Yoshon hashgocho, it would seem that the mashgichim had probably taken this potential winter wheat problem into account. It is important to note that the alert is being called off only for items under hashgocho for Yoshon. Other items not under such hashgocho do need to be checked individually. This includes cakes, cookies, pretzels, flour, matzos and matzo meal and foods using matzo meal such as gefilte fish. Below we present a list of items in this list that have been verified as being only from winter wheat, with no spring wheat added. Therefore, at this point BE”H we believe that the listings in the Guide to Chodosh have are basically correct (with the exception of minor ongoing corrections and updates such as those listed below.) Naturally we plan to continue to monitor the Chodosh-Yoshon scene as we have done in the past. Now we have also been made aware that we must pay attention to the winter wheat situation as well. If need we will issue any necessary alerts in this area in the future, as we have done in the past for other problem areas. We apologize for any inconvenience anyone experienced over the past several weeks. However, our responsibility to the public demanded that we issue that alert until we had a chance to clarify the situation. ITEMS CONFIRMED AS USING ONLY WINTER WHEAT, NO SPRING WHEAT ADDED ALL ITEMS made in Israel under any reliable kashrus hashgocho. All items under hashgocho for Yoshon. GEFILTE FISH: A, Ungar, Freunds, Dagim, Mrs. Adlers, Manischewitz, Mothers, Rokeach, Malchus MATZOS AND MATZO MEAL: Streits, Manischewitz, Horowitz Margarettin, Rokeach, Mishpacha, Kemach, Heimishe Lokshen (matzo meal only) MATZOS FOR PESACH: Several hand matzo bakeries that we have contacted say that they are adding spring wheat to their winter wheat flour. However they make sure that the spring wheat is Yoshon from last year. We hope to have a list of such bakeries compiled before pesach. BAKING FLOUR: Gold Medal flour from factory KC (KC next to the date), Heckers, Ceresota, General Mills Purasnow bakery flour, Ardent Mills and Snavely’s all purpose bakery flours. *** CORRECTIONS TO THE MAIN GUIDE Note: Vaad HaRabonim of Queens is NOT makpid on malt. *Section 4.1 Cakes, Cookies, and Crackers* *Kemach Flatbreads* have a code of 05 FEB 2018 and will likely be Yoshon for the whole season. Check back for updates. *Pita Chips* (Sea salt and multigrain) have a Chodosh code of June 16, 2017. *Old London* Cookies and Crackers have a Chodosh code of Jul 29, 2017 (12 months after packing) for those containing wheat. For products with oats the code is Jul 20, 2017. *Section 4.4 Melba Toast* *Old London* Melba Toast has a date of July 20, 2017 as it contains oats *Section 5.1 Regular Noodles, Pasta, Mandlen and Croutons*
[Chodosh] Update from the Guide to Chodosh
GUIDE TO CHODOSH-YOSEPH HERMAN, HOT LINE 718-305-5133, EMAIL yher...@earthlink.net CHODOSH BULLETIN AS OF 13 SEPT 16 WARNING ON HOME BAKING FLOUR HAS BEEN *CANCELLED* Several weeks ago we were warned by sources in the flour milling industry that a recent major recall of Gold Medal home baking flour may result in significant shifts in the use of winter wheat vs. spring wheat in such flours. As a result of this, we issued a warning to the Yoshon-observant public for assurance of Yoshon to use all home baking flour if it either has an hashgocho for Yoshon, or it can be determined from the dating code that the flour was packed before Jul 29 ’16. In fact, it has now been determined that the situation has not changed from previous years. Therefore, those flours which have been from winter wheat in the past, should continue to be so this year as well. This includes Gold Medal Flour from factory KC and the Heckers and Ceresota brands. SECOND DRAFT OF THE PRELIMINARY GUIDE TO CHODOSH COMING The Guide to Chodosh is published in two editions. The Preliminary Guide is due to be released soon, the full Guide for the season after sukkos. The SECOND *draft* of the Preliminary Guide is ready. It is still incomplete and has some errors, mostly typographical. I hope to send all of you this preliminary draft later today. You should be able to use it to get the Chodosh code for most packaged products. You will note that most information that depends on mashgichim is missing. Their information has not yet been forwarded to us. If you find any errors or confusing entries, please drop me a note to yher...@earthlink.net. I will not be able to answer each email, but will appreciate your feedback. THE FOLLOWING AS OF AUG 2 ‘16 THE OFFICIAL START OF THE NEW CHODOSH SEASON The Chodosh season has begun this year somewhat earlier than usual due to the agricultural conditions in the growing areas. Our estimates of the start of Chodosh for each crop are based on the reports from the US Department of Agriculture. This year, this information is enhanced by reports sent to me by several mashgichim, for which I thank these mashgichim. PLEASE POST THIS BULLETIN IN SHULS AND OTHER LOCATIONS WHERE THOSE WHO ARE CAREFUL ABOUT CHODOSH WOULD SEE IT. 1) *Freshly baked items using spring wheat*, including breads, challahs, bagels, rolls, pizza and some cakes and cookies may be Chodosh in the Midwest after the PURCHASE DATE of Jul 29. Elsewhere in the US, this date would be Aug 12. 2) *Packaged foods from spring wheat* may be Chodosh after the PACKING date of Jul 29, or the PURCHASE date of Aug 12. 3) *Noodles and pasta* may be Chodosh after the PACKING date of Aug 13 and the PURCHASE date of Aug 27. 4) *Barley*, such as pearled barley, may be Chodosh after the PACKING date of Aug 9 and PURCHASE date of Aug 23. 5) *Oats*: Oats in all products, including cereals, may be Chodosh starting with a PACKING date of Jul 20, PURCHASE date of Aug 3. (The known exception is for General Mills cereals including all Cheerios, for which the Chodosh packing date is July 31 or later.) 6) *Barley malt* (also listed in the ingredients as “malt”) may be Chodosh as of the *packing* date of *Dec 15*. Package codes should be checked after the *purchase* date of *Dec 15* for *beer *made from barley malt and *Mar 15* for malt in other products. Even though pesach was late on the solar calendar this year, still almost all of the 3 crops of interest were planted after pesach and are Chodosh. The early harvest this year is due to weather conditions in the growing areas. *** THE EMAIL MAILING LIST Those who have access to email can have important corrections and updates sent to their email address automatically. To subscribe to this free service send a blank email message to: chodosh-subscr...@jif.org.il Those who have subscribed last year to the email distribution list do not need to renew this email subscription. *** To send an E mail message to the Guide, please address it to: yher...@earthlink.net. Before you discontinue using an E-mail service, please unsubscribe from this list by sending a message to: chodosh-unsubscr...@jif.org.il. Then if you wish to resume receiving these messages from your new service, send a message from the new service to: chodosh-subscr...@jif.org.il. CAUTION: Some anti-spam filters require senders to respond to a challenge in order for their E mail to be received. This E mail distribution list cannot provide such responses. Other filters eliminate all mass mailings such as this one. If you are using such filters, be sure to put these messages on the allowed list of your filter, otherwise you will not receive the updates. __ Project Chodosh is an independent activity, not affiliated with any movement or organization. We thank the Jewish
[Chodosh] Update from the Guide to Chodosh
GUIDE TO CHODOSH-YOSEPH HERMAN, HOT LINE 718-305-5133, EMAIL yher...@earthlink.net CHODOSH BULLETIN AS OF 28 AUG 17 In general, if you have last year’s Guide, you can use the package cutoff code for any item given in last year’s Guide and modify the date to conform to the packing dates given here for each type of grain, spring wheat, oats or barley. Just change the date and the year. If you do not have last year’s Guide, you may get it by sending email to chod...@moruda.com. To change the date, change the year in last year’s Guide by adding 1. For oats (except those listed below) subtract 6 from the date, for wheat subtract 3 from the date, for barley, add 7 days. Note that any package with a Yoshon label is Yoshon, with the possible exception of some items where the hashgocho for kashrus in the Volover Rav. THE FOLLOWING IS A STARTING SET OF CUTOFF DATES OR CODES AS THEY APPEAR ON PACKAGES BY MANUFACTURER. THESE DATES ARE TENTATIVE AND ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE (MOST LIKELY CHANGE TO A LATER DATE) -Quaker oats (hot cereals) Chodosh PACKAGING date Aug 31. Date on the package Feb 22 18. -General Mills cereals, including all Cheerios. Oats Chodosh PACKAGING date Aug 31. Date on the package Sept 6 17. Wheat in all General Mills cereals is Yoshon. (Note that the OU is working to arrange that all Cheerios sold in Israel should be Yoshon till pesach. This is to be confirmed later.) -Nature Valley Granola Chodosh PACKING date of Aug 31. Date on the bars (the date on the individual bars, not on the outside box) Sept 6, ’17. -Post cereals. Chodosh PACKAGING date for oats Aug 31, date on the package for oats is Aug 31 17. -Shoprite oats Jan 20 ‘18 -Village Farms, Sturms oats Jul 20 ‘18 -Kemach, Taanug oats Jul 20 ‘17 THE FOLLOWING OF INTEREST TO BAKERIES AND THEIR MASHGICHIM (IT RELATES TO BAKERY FLOUR, NOT THE FLOUR YOU BUY FOR HOME USE). The mills listed here may continue to produce Yoshon after these dates by special arrangement. -General Mills flour from Buffalo, NY may be Chodosh starting from Aug 29. -Ardent Mills in Albany may be Chodosh starting Aug 12. -Bay State Milling Clifton may be Chodosh Aug 28. *** THE FOLLOWING AS OF AUG 2 ‘16 THE OFFICIAL START OF THE NEW CHODOSH SEASON The Chodosh season has begun this year somewhat earlier than usual due to the agricultural conditions in the growing areas. Our estimates of the start of Chodosh for each crop are based on the reports from the US Department of Agriculture. This year, this information is enhanced by reports sent to me by several mashgichim, for which I thank these mashgichim. PLEASE POST THIS BULLETIN IN SHULS AND OTHER LOCATIONS WHERE THOSE WHO ARE CAREFUL ABOUT CHODOSH WOULD SEE IT. 1) *Freshly baked items using spring wheat*, including breads, challahs, bagels, rolls, pizza and some cakes and cookies may be Chodosh in the Midwest after the PURCHASE DATE of Jul 29. Elsewhere in the US, this date would be Aug 12. 2) *Packaged foods from spring wheat* may be Chodosh after the PACKING date of Jul 29, or the PURCHASE date of Aug 12. 3) *Noodles and pasta* may be Chodosh after the PACKING date of Aug 13 and the PURCHASE date of Aug 27. 4) *Barley*, such as pearled barley, may be Chodosh after the PACKING date of Aug 9 and PURCHASE date of Aug 23. 5) *Oats*: Oats in all products, including cereals, may be Chodosh starting with a PACKING date of Jul 20, PURCHASE date of Aug 3. (The known exception is for General Mills cereals including all Cheerios, for which the Chodosh packing date is July 31 or later.) 6) *Barley malt* (also listed in the ingredients as “malt”) may be Chodosh as of the *packing* date of *Dec 15*. Package codes should be checked after the *purchase* date of *Dec 15* for *beer *made from barley malt and *Mar 15* for malt in other products. Even though pesach was late on the solar calendar this year, still almost all of the 3 crops of interest were planted after pesach and are Chodosh. The early harvest this year is due to weather conditions in the growing areas. *** THE EMAIL MAILING LIST Those who have access to email can have important corrections and updates sent to their email address automatically. To subscribe to this free service send a blank email message to: chodosh-subscr...@jif.org.il Those who have subscribed last year to the email distribution list do not need to renew this email subscription. *** To send an E mail message to the Guide, please address it to: yher...@earthlink.net. Before you discontinue using an E-mail service, please unsubscribe from this list by sending a message to: chodosh-unsubscr...@jif.org.il. Then if you wish to resume receiving these messages from your new service, send a message from the new service to: chodosh-subscr...@jif.org.il. CAUTION: Some anti-spam filters
[Chodosh] Update from the Guide to Chodosh
*UPDATES AND CHANGES TO THE FULL GUIDE TO CHODOSH 5776* 8 Feb ’16 *Section 4.1 Cakes, Cookies and Crackers* **NEW Bloom’s *cookies. We have no information about the Chodosh status of any Bloom’s baked products. The company would not provide us even with dating codes. *ד Kashi *Cookies, Chodosh code Feb 4, 16 (6 months after packing). *ב Kemach Oatmeal Cookies *(12oz. & 18oz.) have a Chodosh code of 12 14 16. *Pita Chips (Sea Salt and Multigrain)* have a Chodosh code of 09/23/16. *Flatbread Crisp (everything)* have a Chodosh code of 06/21/15. *ד Kitov** and Matamim Products*: French Twists and Melba Snacks have a Chodosh code of Mar 18 2016 (7 months after packing). Soft bite Cookies: Dec 18 15 (4 months after packing). Flatbreads, Honey Wheat Pretzels, Breadsticks and Tin Breadsticks: Aug 18 16 (1 year after packing). *ד Nature’s Bakery* fig bars have a Chodosh code of March 26, 2016. *Section 4.2 Pretzels and Potato Chips* *NEW ד *Pretzel** clarification:* *Crunchy pretzels* that break easily *and are not made with whole wheat flour*, are from winter wheat. If they contain malt, then they may be Chodosh after a packing date of Dec 15, or a purchase date of March 15. (The purchase date was changed from Jan 15 to Mar 15.) *Section 5.1 Regular noodles, pasta, mandlen and croutons* *ב** Greenfield Noodles,* bowties, farfel. If the packages marked Yoshon then they are Yoshon under the hashgocho of Rabbi Berel Broyde.Added note: As of December 22: GREENFIELD NOODLE CO. has exhausted its stock of Yoshon flour, and is now using Chodosh flour. Any product that does not state Yoshon next to the expiration date is not Yoshon. ד* Ronzoni *pasta made in the USA (for Canada see next listing.) Egg noodles, healthy harvest, and garden delight: Aug 15 17, (2 years after packing.) Smart taste pasta contains oats and has a chodosh date of July 26, 2017. For all other pasta use the date of Aug 15 18, (3 years after packing). ד* Wacky Mac* Macaroni and Cheese from New World Pasta has a Chodosh code of August 15, 2017, 2 years after packing. *Section 7.1 Barley* *ד Unger Barley* is packed in a 100% Yoshon facility, however we cannot include it in the א section it until we can get confirmation that it is Yoshon from a Mashgiach. *IMPORTANT WARNING: *The Kashrus Magazine (January ’16, page 18) reported that this barley with a code on the bag of 928017 has been found to be infested with bugs. Please note that this is not a Chodosh related problem. Page 33 of the Guide warns clearly that all barley should be checked for bugs, all year around. To check barley, the Kashrus Magazine recommends that you take a full handful of the barley from the bag and check in on a white paper plate under a strong overhead light, while you slowly separate and move the kernels around. *Section 8.1 Breakfast Cereals* ** NEW* *ד* *General Mills cereals*, including all Cheerios products sold in Israel are Yoshon PROVIDED the label states that they are made in the USA and that they are imported by Osem under the Hashgocho of the OU. ** NEW* *ד* *Nature Valley Granola Bars* made in Spain and sold in Israel are Yoshon if with Hebrew writing on the package under the Hashgocho of the OU. *ד Rite Aid Oatmeal*, single serve packets have a Chodosh code of January 26, 2017 (18 months after packing). *ד **Shoprite *cereals: Hot cereals have a Chodosh code of Jan 26, 2017 for oats and Feb 2, 2017 for wheat. (18 months after packing). Cold Cereals have a code that can vary. Therefore we give a safe date of 11 months after packing that covers all cold cereals. This date is June 26, 2016 for oats, July 2, 2016 for wheat and November 2, 2016 for malt. *ד **Sturm and Village Farms *oats cereals and oatmeal in cans (quick and old fashioned) Chodosh packing code July 26, 17 (2 years after packing.) For Farina the Chodosh code is Aug 2 16. (1 year after packing.)Oatmeal packets Feb. 26, 2017 (18 months after packing). *Section 9.1 Frozen and other Packaged Foods* *א* * Dr Praeger’s Sensible Foods* fish products, including gefilte fish, gluten-free fish products, and breaded fish products are Yoshon. Under the hashgocho of Rabbi Mordechai Unger. For all other Dr. Praeger’s Sensible Foods Products see listing in Section ד below. ד *Dr. Prager's* Sensible Foods Products not listed under א above, have a code of Aug 2, 17 (2 years after packing) **NEW **ד French’s Crispy Jalapenos*: Chodosh code Aug 2, 2015 (1 year after packing). *NEW *ד Golden Bowl Spring Roll Wrappers*: Chodosh code Aug 2, 2015 (1 year after packing). ב *Kemach *pie crusts: Chocolate Pie Crust Yoshon as stated on the label. Graham Pie Crust uses Yoshon flour. The malt may be a problem after a packing date of 10 20 16 (360 days after packing.) This date may change to a later date. Updates will be issued when available. Under the hashgocho of Rabbi Nussen N. Horowitz. *Section 9.3 Soups and Soup Mixes* *ד* *Tradition Soups.* Have one of two forms of code,
[Chodosh] Update from the Guide to Chodosh
CHODOSH UPDATE 4 Nov 15 *Section 4.1 Cakes, Cookies and Crackers* *ב** B’Gan* cookies are Yoshon except for cookies containing oatmeal, Under the hashgocho of Rabbi Teitelbaum, the Nirbarter Rov ב *Baker’s Best* rugelach and cookies only with a Yoshon label, and a CRC hechsher for kashrus. Yoshon under the hashgocho of the CRC. ב* Home Style *cookies from Cornwall NY, cookies only with a Yoshon label, and a CRC hechsher for kashrus. Yoshon under the hashgocho of the CRC. ב* Lekach Tov* cookies only with a Yoshon label, and a CRC hechsher for kashrus. Yoshon under the hashgocho of the CRC. *ב Liebers* cookies, crackers and snackers made in the *USA* without oats are Yoshon at least until malt becomes a problem after Dec 15. From *Israel* are always Yoshon. Whole wheat crackers from *Brazil* are Yoshon. The malt in these items may be Chodosh if *purchased* after Jan. 15. Snackers from Brazil are Yoshon. Whole Wheat Snackers are Yoshon. Under the hashgocho for Yoshon of Rabbi Weissmandl. *א** Min Bites* fancy cookies and cakes under the Hashgocho of the PCK - Passaic-Clifton Kashrus. *א **Mishpacha* matzos, regular and whole wheat matzo meal, Graham Cracker Pie Crust, Chocolate Graham Cracker pie crust, and Tam Tams are all Yoshon under the hashgocho of Rav Aaron Teitelbaum, the Nirbater Rav. Matzos will also have a Yoshon label. *א One Stop Bakery*, Brooklyn, everything Yoshon under the hashgocho of the CRC . *א Bloch* cookies are Yoshon under the hashgocho of Rabbi Weissmandl. *א Fourre *cookies Yoshon under the hashgocho of Rabbi Weissmandl. *א ** Gross *cookies are Yoshon under the hashgocho of Rabbi Weissmandl. *א Kineret Brownies* are Yoshon under the hashgocho of Rabbi Weissmandl. *א Sabra *pretzels and humus are Yoshon,, under the hashgocho of Rabbi Weissmandl. *א **Shrem’s Bakery*, Cornwall, NY. All items Yoshon under the hashgocho of the CRC. *Section 4.2 Pretzels and Potato Chips* *ב Haddar Honey Wheat* *Pretzels* Yoshon under the Hashgocho of the CRC only with a Yoshon Label. *א** Liebers pretzels* Yoshon Under the hashgocho or Rabbi Weissmandl, even those containing premixed oats and Honey Wheat Pretzels, includling the malt. *Section 4.5 Ice Cream Cones* *א** Liebers* cones are Yoshon under the hashgocho of Rav M. Weissmandl. *Section 4.6 Matzos* *אּ** Gefen* matzos from Israel are Yoshon, including the whole wheat matzos, lightly salted matzos and onion poppy matzos. *א **Mishpacha* matzos and matzo meal, regular and whole wheat, are all Yoshon under the hashgocho of Rav Aaron Teitelbaum, the Nirbater Rav. Matzos will also have a Yoshon label. *Section 5.1 Regular Noodles, Pasta, Mandlen, and Croutons* ב *B’Gan* noodles and pasta Yoshon only with a Yoshon label, under the hashgocho of Rabbi Aaron Teitelbaum, the Nirbarter Rav. Chow Mein noodles are Yoshon as well. ד* Hodgson Mills* all noodles and other pastas including whole wheat Chodosh code 02 15 18 (02=month, 15 day, 18=year, 30 months after packing). *א **Mishpacha* noodles and pasta, *including whole wheat items, tri-color noodles, lasagna and egg noodles* are all Yoshon, Packages will also have a Yoshon label. Under the hashgocho of Rabbi Aaron Teitelbaum, the Nirbater Rav. Note that the Yoshon label may be written in English on the back of the packages. (Chow Mein is NOT Yoshon, See Section 5.2 below.) *Section 6.1 All Purpose White Flour* *ד Bay State Bouncer Flour* Chodosh code of AA AA080215, (aa mill code 08 month 02 day 15 year). This is the production date. ב * Glick’s *flour is Yoshon under the hashgocho of the CRC, with Yoshon label only. *א Mishpacha *white baking flour is Yoshon, including the malt, under the hashgocho of Rav Aaron Teitelbaum, the Nirbator Rav. Product will also have a Yoshon label. *Section 6.2 Whole Wheat Flour* *א **Mishpacha *whole wheat flour and white whole wheat flour are Yoshon, including the malt, under the hashgocho of Rav Aaron Teitelbaum, the Nirbator Rav. Product will also have a Yoshon label. *Section 6.3 High Gluten or Bread Flour* *ב **Glick’s *high gluten flour is Yoshon under the hashgocho of the CRC, with Yoshon label only. *א Mishpacha *high gluten flour has a Yoshon label and is Yoshon, including the malt under the hashgocho of Rav Aaron Teitelbaum, the Nirbator Rav. *Section 6.5 Cake and other mixes * *א B’Gan Cake Mixes* are Yoshon under the Hashgocho of Rabbi Aaron Teitelbaum. *Section 6.6 Baking Sprays* *ד Glick’s Baking Spray* with flour has a code of 21415. These are numbers 9-13 of the code. (214-day of year, 15-year). *א Mishpacha *baking spray with flour is Yoshon under the hashgocho of Rav Aaron Teitelbaum, the Nirabator Rav. Product will also have a Yoshon label. *Section 7.1 Barley* *א B’Gan barley* is Yoshon the entire season. It is packed in 1 pound packages and is available primarily to food service customers, very limited amount to grocery sales. Yoshon hashgocho, Rabbi Aaron Teitelbaum, the Nirbarter Rav. *א Gefen
[Chodosh] Update from the Guide to Chodosh
*CHODOSH BULLETIN--15 AUG 15* *CHODOSH STARTING IN BAKERIES, ETC* *GUIDE TO CHODOSH* Telephone Hot Line: 718-305-5133, Email: yher...@earthlink.net REVISED CHODOSH DATE FOR GENERAL MILLS FLOUR FROM BUFFALO NY MASHGICHIM AND CONSUMERS NOTE: The OU has revised the Chodosh starting date for at least one major flour mill, General Mills in the New York area. The new Chodosh date is now Aug 22 or shortly thereafter. This mill is one of the more popular sources of professional flour to bakeries and pizza shops in the New York area, including the All Trump brand high gluten flour. Keep in mind that this early in the season, information is still subject to change. Nevertheless, we still keep to our earlier estimate that to be safe it is reasonable to assume that as of Aug 9, these freshly baked items may be Chodosh everywhere in the USA (MidWest after Aug 2), unless otherwise indicated by mashgichim or unless they were produced in facilities under hashgocho for Yoshon. * THE FOLLOWING HAS NOT CHANGED SINCE THE AUG 7 BULLETIN MASHGICHIM NOTE: We became aware last year that some pizza shops and other facilities that produce both Yoshon and non-Yoshon items may be using the same oven for both at the same time. Mashgichim should please check that this practice should not be allowed. They also should make sure that other keilim should not be used interchangeably between Yoshon and Chodosh items. THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION HAS NOT CHANGED SINCE THE PREVIOUS BULLETIN OF AUG 4. The following Chodosh starting dates are based on the weekly crop bulletins from the US Department of Agriculture. 1) *Freshly baked items using spring wheat*, including breads, challahs, bagels, rolls, pizza and some cakes and cookies may be Chodosh in the Midwest after the PURCHASE DATE of Aug 2. Elsewhere in the US, this date would be Aug 9. 2) *Packaged foods from spring wheat* may be Chodosh after the PACKING date of Aug 2, or the PURCHASE date of Aug 16. 3) *Noodles and pasta* may be Chodosh after the PACKING date of Aug 15 and the PURCHASE date of Sept 1. 4) *Barley*, such as pearled barley, may be Chodosh after the PACKING date of Aug 2 and PURCHASE date of Aug 16. 5) *Oats*: Last year, according to the O-U all oats used in *cereals* had a Chodosh PACKING date of Sept 1 or later, PURCHASE DATE of Sept 15 or later. Exceptions to this included General Mills cereals such as Cheerios and Quaker oats made in the USA for which the Chodosh dates were later. We are waiting for an update on this for the forthcoming season from the O-U. Oats used in non-cereal products such as oatmeal cookies, may be Chodosh starting a PACKING date of Jul 26, PURCHASE date of Aug 9. 6) *Barley malt* (also listed in the ingredients as “malt”) may be Chodosh as of the *packing* date of *Dec 15*. Package codes should be checked after the *purchase* date of *Jan 15* for *beer* and *Mar 15* for malt in other products. The above dates are estimates of the *earliest* time that those items may already be Chodosh. In case of packaged goods, in most cases you may use last year’s Guide to see what the package code is for the cutoff dates given. Just add 1 to the year given in those codes. Those who do not have last year’s Guide may get *last year’s * Guide by sending an email message to either chod...@sefer.org or to chod...@moruda.com. We plan to issue a Preliminary Guide to Chodosh, BE”H, by early September which will contain the package codes revised for the new season. (1) How to subscribe to have the printed material mailed to you The subscription cost is $18 for all material to be mailed within the USA, $20 to Canada and Mexico, and $25 to be mailed to Israel and other parts of the world. The preferred method is to subscribe using a credit or debit card. This is very convenient for most people and is easier for us. We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover. *If you are totally unable to charge to your card we will accept checks, but only if you have no other option. We have had problems with checks being mailed for subscriptions in the past.* *How to subscribe with credit/debit cards* (a)*By recorded telephone message* Call 646-278-1189 and record a voice message with the requested information: Your phone number, credit card number and expiration date month and year, your name, and mailing address. *Note we must have your contact phone number or email address so we can contact you in case of questions.* *We cannot accept subscriptions without such contact information.* *Without it,* *your subscription can not be processed and you will not receive a Guide. *Do not leave us any Chodosh questions or other messages at this number. Use instead our Hot Line number 718-305-5133. (b) *Fax your credit/debit card information* You
[Chodosh] Update from the Guide to Chodosh
As of the latest report from the US Dep't of Agriculture of July 21, the harvest of the Chodosh wheat and oats crops have not yet started. The oats harvest is in its second week. Yoseph Herman
