[Chodosh] URGENT BULLETIN FROM THE GUIDE TO CHODOSH-minor addition

[Y Herman]

URGENT CHODOSH BULLETIN  FROM THE GUIDE TO CHODOSH


Yoseph Herman, 24 Jan 17


CHODOSH PROBLEMS WITH WINTER WHEAT PRODUCTS, Update #1


We have just been made aware of the fact many if not most products that in
earlier years have always been made with only winter wheat which is Yoshon,
have this season been made with a blend of winter and possibly Chodosh
spring wheat flours. This affects items such as matzos and matzo meal,
pretzels. It also affects items using matzo meal such as gefilte fish.


Some mashgichim were aware of this change and made sure that only Yoshon
(from stored from earlier years) spring wheat is being added to Yoshon
products under their hashgocho. Other mashgichim were not aware of this,
just as we at the Guide were not. Therefore, it is possible that some items
with a Yoshon hashgocho may in fact have this problem. We were just
informed of this a few days ago and are trying as rapidly as possible to
find out which are the problem products. We will publish updates to this
list on a frequent basis. MEANWHILE WE ARE ASKING MASHGICHIM TO RESPOND TO
THIS EMAIL IMMEDIATELY TO LET US KNOW WHICH PRODUCTS UNDER THEIR HASHGOCHO
THAT USED TO BE FROM PURE WINTER WHEAT NOW BLEND IN YOSHON SPRING WHEAT AND
WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN USING CHODOSH SPRING WHEAT THIS YEAR. Below we present
a very sparse initial list of items confirmed to be fully Yoshon. As soon
as the mashgichim respond we can add more items to this list. Mashichim
please email your responses to yherma...@gmail.com, or fax it to
888-755-7590.


The reason for this change is that due to agricultural conditions, the
protein level of winter wheat had been declining to the point that even
matzos and similar foods can no longer be produced satisfactorily from
winter wheat flour only. Thus there arose the need to blend in spring wheat
of higher protein. The amount of spring wheat is much less than 50%, but
more than 1/60. This agricultural trend is expected to continue for the
next several years. The Guide will not offer any halachic guidance in how
to treat foods containing this possibly Chodosh spring wheat. We believe
that some poskim are machmir and others are meikil. You must ask your own
posek.


MEANWHILE:

DO NOT ask or write us for halachic guidance. Do not ask us at this point
whether a specific item in your house or store has this problem. Even if
your posek is machmir, do not throw out any foods. As mashgichim respond to
this appeal for information, we will add to the list of items known to have
or not have this problem.


PRELIMINARY LIST OF ITEMS USING ONLY YOSHON WHEAT:

All items made in Israel under any reliable kashrus hashgocho

GEFILTE FISH: A, Unger, Freunds, Dagim

MATZOS: Streits

[Chodosh] Bulletin from the Guide to Chodosh

[Y Herman]

GUIDE TO CHODOSH-YOSEPH HERMAN, HOT LINE 718-305-5133, EMAIL
yher...@earthlink.net

CHODOSH BULLETIN AS OF 2 SEPT 17

THE NEW PROBLEM WITH FLOUR

A few weeks ago a very large amount of Gold Medal flour was recalled
because of salmonella contamination. As a result, the normal supply chain
of wheat to mills has been upset, as mills are trying to get wheat to make
up the shortfall. For the Yoshon consumer, this means that the rules that
have helped us for the past many years may not be relied on, at least
temporarily. This affects national brands such as Gold Medal flour from KC
and Heckers and Ceresota flours. It may also affect some of the Jewish
brands. Therefore, until further notice, any flour purchased in groceries
for home baking can NOT be assumed to be Yoshon unless (1) they have a
Yoshon label under hashgocho or (2) have a dating code to indicate that
they were packed before Jul 29 ’16. Some sample codes are given below.

WARNING ABOUT BARLEY: The O-U has warned that significant amount of worm
contamination has been found recently in pearled barley. We have been
warning in the Guide for years that barley must be checked for worms before
use, all year around. PLEASE NOTE that this is not a Yoshon-related
problem, since the worms have been reported even before the Chodosh season
has started and no barley has yet been stored for Yoshon use.

NOTE TO MASHGICHIM: The revised Chodosh packing date for the Bay State
flour mill in Clifton, NJ is Aug 22, not Aug 28.

SELECTED DATING CODES FOR *ALL PURPOSE* FLOUR

Gold Medal (all mills) Feb 7 ’18.

Heckers and Ceresota Jan 29 ‘18

Pillsbury Jan 29 ‘18

Shoprite July 29 ‘17

Stop and Shop Jul 29 ‘18

For other brands and other types of flour, modify the code in last year’s
Guide as detailed below, or call the Hot Line.





THE FOLLOWING AS OF AUG 28 ‘16

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 (not
noodles and pasta) subtract 3 from the date, for pasta subtract 2 days, 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 22.





***

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] Update bulletin from the Guide to Chodosh

[Y Herman]

*UPDATES AND CHANGES TO THE FULL GUIDE TO CHODOSH 5776*

6 Mar ’16

*Section 4.1 Cakes, Cookies and Crackers*

*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.

*א** Gevinni Cheese cakes* are Yoshon under the hashgocho of the KCL and
the Tartikover Beis Din.

*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 06/21/16.

*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*

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 printed as Jan 15 on page 23
of the Guide should have been March 15.)

*Section 5.1 Regular noodles, pasta, mandlen and croutons*

*ב** Greenfield Noodles,* bowties, farfel. If the packages are 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.

 *ב Kemach* egg noodles have a Chodosh code of 12/2/17. Kemach spaghetti,
macaroni, lasagna, ziti, penne, spirals in 1 pound boxes *and bags* have a
Chodosh date of Sept 20 2017. Under the hashgocho of Rabbi Nussen N.
Horowitz*. *

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.



*Section 8.1 Breakfast Cereals*

*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,   OR are under the
Hashogcho of the MK of Manchester and marked as Yoshon.

 *ב Kemach Cereals**: Fruit Whirls, Honey Crunch, Corn Crisp, Bunch of
Crunch, * *Honey Nut Oats and Toasted Oats *Chodosh code 10 01 16. Kemach*
Sugar Puffed Wheat* Chodosh code 10 01 16. The following are from winter
wheat  and are Yoshon except for malt after Dec 15, *Chodosh code 1 15
17*: *Bran
Flakes, Raisin Bran, , Corn Flakes, Crisp Rice, Frosted Flakes. *On the
other hand, Kemach* Nougat Nuggets, Whole wheat flakes, Crunchy Cinnamon
Bites and Cocoa Munchees* do not contain malt and are always Yoshon. Under
the hashgocho of Rabbi Nussen N. Horowitz.

 *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.

 *ב **Quaker Oats* sold in Israel under the Hashgocho of the KF with KF and
Yoshon printed on the package (not on a sticker) are Yoshon under the KF of
London.

*ד  Rite Aid Oatmeal*, single serve packets have a Chodosh code of January
26, 2017 (18 months after packing).

 *א Shibolim oats* are Yoshon under the Hashgocho of the Badatz Eida
HaChareidus of Yerushalayim.

*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 

[Chodosh] Preseason Bulletin from the Guide to Chodosh

[Y Herman]

בסד

*CHODOSH BULLETIN-21 MAY 15*

*From the Guide to Chodosh-Y. Herman*

*Chodosh telephone Hot Line 718-305-5133, email *yher...@earthlink.net



 This Bulletin discusses (1) Our planned schedule of publications for the
new season, (2) How to subscribe to next season’s Guide, (3) Planting of
the new Chodosh crop and preliminary estimates of the start of the new
Chodosh season, and (4) Form to use if you wish to fax in your subscription.


(1) Planned publication schedule for next season’s Guide

We plan BS”D to publish a preliminary brief edition of the Guide as soon as
possible at the beginning of the new Chodosh season, approximately early
September. This should have enough information to start the new season,
including preliminary Chodosh dates and package codes for many packaged
goods. The full Guide will be published when the mashgichim will get back
to us with updated information. This does not happen until a few weeks
after sukkos, approximately sometime in November. In addition, there should
be at least one update bulletin around January. All this will be mailed out
to paid subscribers and be available by email. (The Preliminary Guide will
be available as usual also at the local distributors in some cities.
However, we would like to encourage people to subscribe directly instead,
so that they can be updated on changes that may occur.)


(2) 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 may send the above information by faxing it to our secure fax site at
888-755-7590. Please fill in and fax us the order printed at the end of
this bulletin. (In the past some people had trouble faxing us the
subscription orders. We believe that this is because some low-cost phone
systems do not allow calling toll-free numbers such as this 888 number. If
the fax number does not respond, please call this number from any other
phone system such as your cell phone to confirm that the fax system is
working on our end.)

(c)  *Do not send credit card information by email!*

Do not send us credit card information by email since email is not secure
and your information may be compromised.



*Note for all those who signed up for Recurring Billing using a
credit/debit card:*



If you signed up for Automatic Renewal of your Subscription LOOK AT THE
ADDRESS LABEL ON THIS BULLETIN.

(a) IF YOU SEE “RB” NEXT TO YOUR NAME, that means that you have been
charged for this year’s guide. The charge went thorough and NO FURTHER
ACTION IS NEEDED ON YOUR PART.  Confirmation phone calls will not be made
this season.

(b) If you do not see RB next to your name, you have not been charged. If
you have signed up for Recurring Billing, then your subscription did not go
through. Either the Credit Card expired or it was changed or we were
missing some information. If this occurred, you have been REMOVED from
Recurring Billing and NEED to re-subscribe this year. We will not call you
to remind you. This is your only reminder.



*How to subscribe by mailing a check*

 *If you are totally unable to charge to your card we will accept checks,
but this is only if there is NO other option. We have had problems with
checks being mailed for subscriptions in the past. *If you must use a
check, make out the check to Project Chodosh for the amounts stated above
and mail it with your full address information and phone number to Project
Chodosh, c/o Mrs. C. Rosskamm, 963 Armstrong Ave, Staten Island, NY 10308.
  (3) Preliminary estimates for the start of the new Chodosh season.

According to the US Dep’t of Agriculture, only about 10% of the spring
wheat, 15% of the barley and 20% of the oats were planted 2 days before
pesach,

We give the following early estimates of when the new Chodosh season is

[Chodosh] Bulletin from the Guide to Chodosh

[Y Herman]

 CHODOSH BULLETIN-ADAR 5775 (Feb ’15)

Y. Herman and C. Rosskamm. Phone: Chodosh Hot Line 718-305-5133.

 Email: yher...@earthlink.net


Update of the Malt Problem

The Guide to Chodosh has a full treatment of the malt problem. It mentioned
that some poskim hold that malt added to baking flour, where it is used in
tiny amount for its chemical action, is botul. The Guide gave date codes
for some flours to serve those who want to be machmir on malt in baking
flour. However, in many other applications malt is used for coloring and/or
flavoring. In those cases there is more of a reason to be machmir and not
to hold that it is botul. Such applications include beer, cereals,
pretzels, candies and some baked products. When the ingredients list
“malt”, almost always that refers to malt made from barley. In past years,
all malt manufacturers agreed that the new, Chodosh barley crop is not used
to make malt before Dec. 15. This year, one major manufacturer of malt told
us that they are using new-crop barley as early as Oct. 15 to make malt.
This malt is used in cereals and maybe other applications. Even though
other manufacturers have still delayed the introduction of the new crop to
their malt to Dec 15 or later, to be safe, we have urged consumers to avoid
products containing malt if packed after Oct. 15, or purchased after Jan.
15.

It is possible to make malt from other crops. Companies such as Great
Western sometimes produce malt from other crops such as rice. We do not
know how widespread is the use of non-barley malt. Nor do we know whether
the production of those malts does or does not involve using barley malt
during processing. We urge manufacturers and mashgichim of Yoshon products
that use malt to start looking now into the possibility of substituting
non-Chodosh ingredients next year for the barley malt now being used.

It is also possible to avoid malt in applications when it is unusually
used. One example of this are pretzels in which barley malt has been almost
universally used for both coloring and flavoring. Liebers has been
successful in having other non-Chodosh ingredients be substituted for
barley malt (see below).


THE OVEN PROBLEM

For several years we have published a warning that some pizza shops and
restaurants use  frying oil for possibly Chodosh items such as spicy fries
and then use the same oil for food that is supposed to be Yoshon. We have
recently become aware of a similar potential problem. Pizza shops and some
other establishments sometimes heat Yoshon items such as pizza in the oven
at the same time as Chodosh items may be in the same oven. We have not yet
had a chance to investigate how common this practice is. We urge mashgichim
and consumers to look at this potential problem as it affects them.


ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS TO THE GUIDE

*4.1 Cakes, cookies and  crackers*

*Liebers* cookies and crackers without oats are basically Yoshon. However
some items susch as crackers may have malt (check the ingredients). This
malt may be Chodosh at this time.



*4.2 Pretzels and Potato Chips*

*א Leiber’s Pretzels all varieties *are Yoshon under the hashgocho of Rabbi
Weissmandl. This includes the honey twists and multigrain products. All
these pretzels are produced without any malt.

*ד* *Herrs Pretzels* now have a code of November 24, 2014. This code is 14
weeks after packing.



*4.3 Rice cakes  *

*ס Blooms Rice Cakes *that contain spelt are made in Belgium. We have no
information as far as the Chodosh/Yoshon status of such products.



*5.1 Regular noodles, pasta, mandlen and croutons*

*ב Kemach Heimishe Egg Noodles *are Yoshon through a code of 01-26-2016,
under the hashgocho of Rabbi Nussen N. Horowitz



*5.2 Chow mein noodles*

*ב Kemach Chow Mein Noodles *are Yoshon through a code of 1614I (16=day of
the month, 14=year, I=September in alph.order). Exception: SPECIAL YOSHON
PRODUCTION ONLY with code: 0915B  1015B. Only those 2 codes are Yoshon
after the code of 1614I. Under the Hashgocho of Rabbi Nussen N. Horowitz.



*6.2 Whole wheat flour   *

*ד Shoprite Whole Wheat Flour *has a Chodosh code of April 18, 2015 (8
months after packing)



*6.3 High gluten or bread flour  *

*ד Gold Medal Bread Flour and Bread Wheat Blend Flour *have a code of Feb.
27, 2016 (558 days after packing). Check the bag. If the best if used by
date is followed by a factory code of KC it is always Yoshon.  All other
factory codes use dates given above. The Better for Bread flour line has
been discontinued; however it is still being sold out. Any flour still on
the shelves is Yoshon.

*ד General Mills Flour *All flour manufactured in the Buffalo Mill is
Yoshon through a date code of August 31, 2014. It has a Chodosh code of 31
AUG 4 BF. Bakery flour only has a code of 1 SEP 4 BF.  This only applies to
flour with a factory code of BF after the date code. This has been verified
by the OU.



*7.2 Bread and corn flake crumbs and matzo meal*

*ד Taanug Corn Flake Crumbs *has a code of 14288 (14-year 

[Chodosh] Bulletin from the Guide to Chodosh

[Y Herman]

Today is January 15. The Guide had recommended that all items that contain
malt,  for which the dating code is not known, may be purchased assuming
that the malt is Yoshon up to the purchase date of Jan.  15. Starting
today,  one should seek confirmation that the malt is Yoshon. (Note,  as
mentioned in the Guide, that malt in baking flour,  is not a problem
according to some poskim.)

Liebers pretzels may contain Chodosh malt.  We expect more details about
this within the next few days.

B'Gan/Eden breaded cauliflower is Yoshon.

Kineret brownies are Yoshon.

Pride of the Farm cookies and Cream ice cream is Yoshon.

Items produced under the hashgocho of Chug Chasam Sofer of Bnei Brak are
Yoshon,  even if produced outside  of Israel,  for example,  Turkey.
(Note,  this applies only to this hashgocho from Bnei Brak)

The Guide incorrectly stated that items from wheat or oats produced in
Canada are Yoshon at least up to Sept 22. This is not correct.

[Chodosh] Early bulletin from the Guide to Chodosh

[Yoseph Herman]

The harvest of the Chodosh crops have begun. As of this week 11% of the new
oats have been harvested. Based on the experience of previous years, most
of the new, Chodosh oats should not reach the cereals until September or
later. This is to be confirmed for this year. The spring wheat and barley
harvests have not yet begun.
Yoseph Herman

Bulletin from the Guide to Chodosh

[Yoseph Herman]

*CHODOSH BULLETIN-10 OCT 11*

*From the Guide to Chodosh-Y. Herman*

*Chodosh telephone Hot Line 718-305-5133, email *yher...@earthlink.net



The first issue of the Guide to Chodosh for the new season was sent to paid
subscribers during the week of Sept 26. The following are additions and
corrections to the new Guide.



*New additions which did not appear in the last Bulletin, are marked with an
“*”.*

* *

*MORE CHANGES FOR QUAKER OATS CHODOSH DATE*

We reported in the last Bulletin that the starting date for Chodosh oats in
all Quaker cereals is later that the original estimate. The Guide has Jul 26
for the Chodosh date for oats for Quaker. Based on the estimate of the O-U,
for *cereal manufactured in the USA* the revised estimate is Oct 1. This is
still only an estimate and it may be extended to a later time as more
information becomes available from the mashgichim in the field. *However for
the Instant Oats cereals manufactured in Canada* we now have a firm date
that is *earlier* than our estimate in the previous Bulletin. This date is
Sept 27, as confirmed by the COR, the kashrus organization in Toronto. For
specific package codes, see Quaker under Section 8.1, below.

* *

* *

*OTHER CORRECTIONS AND ADDITIONS AS OF SEPT 27*



*Section 4.1 Cakes, cookies and crackers*

**Kemach* Whole wheat crackers are Yoshon and have a Yoshon label. Other
cookies and crackers are that contain malt but no oats are Yoshon at least
until malt becomes a problem. For Kemach flat bread, the tentative Chodosh
code is 17 Sept 13. This may be updated to a later date in the future.
Kemach bread sticks are Yoshon the entire season. The mashgiach for all
Kemach products is Rabbi Nussen Horowitz.



*Section 4.6 Matzos*

**Kemach* matzos, matzo meal including spelt are always Yoshon under the
hashgocho of Rabbi Nussen Horowitz.



*Section 5.1 Noodles and pasta*

**Barilla* pasta. Some people have received 10 pound packages of Barilla
pasta whose code does not match the code in the Guide. Call the company at
800-922-7455 to ask if the code on your package indicates whether it was
packed before Aug 22 and would be Yoshon, or on Aug 22 or later and may be
Chodosh.



*Section 5.2 Chow mein noodles*

**Kemach* Chow Mein Noodles have a Chodosh code of Aug 30, code 3011H
(30=day, 11=year, H=Aug in alph order.)



*Section 6.2 Whole wheat flour*

**Trader Joe* white whole wheat flour, the correct code I Aug 15 ’12 (1
year after packing.)



*Section 6.3 High gluten flour*

**Kemach* high gluten flour is Yoshon, including the malt.



*Section 6.5 Cake and other mixes*

*Duncan Hines* mixes. Brownies and muffins have a Chodosh code for wheat of
Feb 15 ’13 (18 months after packing). All other items except cookies have a
Chodosh code of Aug 15 ’12 (12 months). Cookies can be either 12 or 18
months, call the company about the cookie of interest to you.



*Section 8.1 Cereals*

**Kemach *Cocoa Munchies cereal does not contain wheat starch nor any other
wheat product. Therefore, it is Yoshon at least until the malt may become a
problem in December.

**Kosher Mills* oatmeal cereals are Yoshon under the hashgocho of the
Badatz of Yerushalaim.

**Quaker* cereals. (See note above.) The O-U has estimated that the Chodosh
starting date for the oats in Quaker cereals manufactured in the USA has
been extended from Jul 26 (our early estimate) to at least Oct 1. This only
applies to oats in such cereals. Any cereal that contains any wheat
products, including wheat starch, has the earlier  wheat Chodosh date of Aug
15. In the Quaker table on page 36 of the Guide, change the oats column
entries to reflect the new Oct 1 date, which at this time holds for cereals
sold in the USA and made in the US: 180 days=March 28 ’12;  240 days=May 27
’12;  270 days=Jun 26 ’12;  360 days=Sept 24 ’12;  540 days=March 23 ’13.
For the Instant Oats cereals manufactured in Canada, the COR of  Toronto has
a firm Chodosh packing date of Sept 27. This translates on a code on the
package that is 540 days later, namely March 19 ’13.



*Section 9.1 Frozen and other packaged foods*

**Kemach* pie crusts. The Chocolate pie crust is always Yoshon as stated on
the label. For the Graham Cracker pie crust the wheat is always Yoshon. The
malt may be Chodosh starting a packing date  of Dec 15 code Dec 9 ’12 (360
days after packing.)

*Pepperidge Farms* products Chodosh code 8-15-12 (1 year after packing)



*Section 9.3 Soups and soup mixes*

**Kemach *minestrone soup mix the Chodosh code is 2583 (258=day of year,
3=year+2). For vegetable soup mix the Chodosh code is 2563.

**Kedem* soup mixes, the corrected code should be 12281 (1=year, 228 =day
of year, 1=not important.)



*Section 12.1.2  Wholesale Bakeries-New York City area*

**Fifteenth Ave Food Corporation* and all its brand of baked products under
the labels of Korn, Sterns, Kohen and New York Kosher. Every item produced
by this company is Yoshon, without exception.



*Section 12.1.4 Restaurants and pizza 

Bulletin from the Guide to Chodosh

[Yoseph Herman]

בסד**

*CHODOSH PRELIMINARY BULLETIN-7 Sept 11*

*From the Guide to Chodosh-Yoseph Herman*

*Chodosh telephone Hot Line 718-305-5133, email *yher...@earthlink.net**

* *

GENERAL MILLS CEREALS UPDATE

*General Mills**. *In past years different General Mills cereals had
different codes (different number of days between the date of packing and
the date on the box.) Now, all General Mills have a uniform code that is 372
days after packing. If the ingredients contain barley (not barley malt) or
wheat products *other than wheat starch*, the Chodosh code is Aug 21 2012.
If it does not contain any wheat products except wheat starch, then the
Chodosh code is Sept 10 2012. If it contains no wheat or barley but does
contain oats, the Chodosh code is Sept 21 2012. If the only questionable
ingredient is malt, then the Chodosh code is Dec 21 2012. These dates are
lechumra (extra cautious), some dates may be extended to a later time.

ד *General Mills/Nestle* cereals *sold in Israel*. These cereals sold in
Israel have the same Chodosh code as given above for General Mills cereals.
*However this is only true if the box has both an O-U symbol and states
General Mills Minneapolis, MN*. For other cases we have no information.





*FOLLOWING AS OF 29 AUG 11*

* *

*PRINTING OF THE GUIDE TO CHODOSH DUE 3RD WEEK OF SEPTEMBER*

The printing of the first issue of the Guide to Chodosh for the new season
is scheduled בסד for approximately the third week of September. This delay
is intended to allow the mashgichim to complete their arrangements for
Yoshon hashgochos for the new season, thereby making the information in the
Guide more complete and relevant. Meanwhile this preliminary bulletin is
being issued to help consumers until the full Guide is issued. It contains
general Chodosh starting dates. It also gives information and Chodosh codes
for some of the most popular products.

* *

*HARVEST OF ALL CHODOSH CROPS HAS BEGUN*

According to the reports from the U. S. Department of Agriculture, the
harvest of the Chodosh wheat, oats and barley has begun. We expect the
Chodosh grain to start appearing in products as follows:

· *Oats* products *packed or produced* as of Jul 26 may contain
Chodosh. If *purchased* after Aug 9 (which has passed) package codes should
be checked (see some sample codes listed below). However a later date is
applicable for the oats in cereals made by General Mills, as noted below.

· *SPRING WHEAT: *Packaged foods that contain spring wheat may
contain Chodosh if *packed or produced* as of Aug 15. If *purchased* after
Sept 1 package codes should be checked. Items containing wheat, wheat germ
or wheat starch may be Chodosh after this date unless it is known that the
wheat is Yoshon. Examples of foods that are from winter wheat and are Yoshon
are matzos and gefilte fish.

· *FRESHLY BAKED *bakery or store-produced items including breads,
chalahs, rolls, bagels, many cakes and cookies,  and pizza may be Chodosh as
of the *baking date* of Aug 15 in the mid-West USA and as of Sept 1 if made
elsewhere in the USA.

· *NOODLES AND PASTA* may be Chodosh as of the *packing* date of Aug
22. If *purchased *after Sept 7, package codes should be checked.

· *BARLEY*: pearled barley or barley in cereals may be Chodosh as of
the *packing* date of Aug 15. If *purchased* after Sept 1, package codes
should be checked. Thusfar, Eden, Gefen, and Mishpacha  barley has been
confirmed as being Yoshon the whole season.

· *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 March 15 for malt in
other products.



*HASHGOCHOS ALWAYS YOSHON-Partial list*

Packaged foods produced in Eretz Yisrael under any reliable kashrus
hashgocho are Yoshon. If produced outside of Eretz Yisrael, when the
packages list a Yoshon label and also have the name/symbol of a major
kashrus supervision, they are Yoshon. Also, all items under the following
European hashgochos are always Yoshon: Kedassia-London, Rabbi Westheim and
Rabbi Schneeblag.



*SELECTED PACKING CODES*

The following are the Chodosh packing codes for a few popular items. For
other items, you may check last year’s Guide for the code system (*don’t
forget to use the revised wheat, oats and barley dates and to update the
year*) or call the Hot Line at 718-305-5133.

Quaker and Mothers oats old fashioned and 1 Minute oats Jan 16 ’13 (540 days
after packing). The code for the hot, cooked instant oats depends. For the
flavored type the code is Jul 20 ’12 (360 days). The original unflavored
instant oats type may be either 360 days or 540 days. You have to call the
company with the package in your posession and ask. Quaker Life cereals is
Jul 20 12 (360 days). If produced in Canada the dates will be later, to be
announced when known.

Bulletin from the Guide to Chodosh-Please post where it may be interest

[Y. Herman]

???**

*CHODOSH PRELIMINARY BULLETIN-29 AUG 11*

*From the Guide to Chodosh-Yoseph Herman*

*Chodosh telephone Hot Line 718-305-5133, email *yher...@earthlink.net 
mailto:yher...@earthlink.net**


**

*PRINTING OF THE GUIDE TO CHODOSH DUE 3^RD WEEK OF SEPTEMBER*

The printing of the first issue of the Guide to Chodosh for the new 
season is scheduled ???for approximately the third week of September. 
This delay is intended to allow the mashgichim to complete their 
arrangements for Yoshon hashgochos for the new season, thereby making 
the information in the Guide more complete and relevant. Meanwhile this 
preliminary bulletin is being issued to help consumers until the full 
Guide is issued. It contains general Chodosh starting dates. It also 
gives information and Chodosh codes for some of the most popular products.


**

*HARVEST OF ALL CHODOSH CROPS HAS BEGUN*

According to the reports from the U. S. Department of Agriculture, the 
harvest of the Chodosh wheat, oats and barley has begun. We expect the 
Chodosh grain to start appearing in products as follows:


·*Oats*products _packed or produced_ as of Jul 26 may contain Chodosh. 
If _purchased_ after Aug 9 (which has passed) package codes should be 
checked (see some sample codes listed below). However a later date is 
applicable for the oats in cereals made by General Mills, as noted below.


·*SPRING WHEAT: *Packaged foods that contain spring wheat may contain 
Chodosh if _packed or produced_ as of Aug 15. If _purchased_ after Sept 
1 package codes should be checked. Items containing wheat, wheat germ or 
wheat starch may be Chodosh after this date unless it is known that the 
wheat is Yoshon. Examples of foods that are from winter wheat and are 
Yoshon are matzos and gefilte fish.


·*FRESHLY BAKED *bakery or store-produced items including breads, 
chalahs, rolls, bagels, many cakes and cookies, and pizza may be Chodosh 
as of the _baking date_ of Aug 15 in the mid-West USA and as of Sept 1 
if made elsewhere in the USA.


·*NOODLES AND PASTA*may be Chodosh as of the _packing_ date of Aug 22. 
If _purchased _after Sept 7, package codes should be checked.


·*BARLEY*: pearled barley or barley in cereals may be Chodosh as of the 
_packing_ date of Aug 15. If _purchased_ after Sept 1, package codes 
should be checked. Thusfar, Eden, Gefen, and Mishpacha barley has been 
confirmed as being Yoshon the whole season.


·*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 March 15 for malt in 
other products.


*HASHGOCHOS ALWAYS YOSHON-Partial list*

Packaged foods produced in Eretz Yisrael under any reliable kashrus 
hashgocho are Yoshon. If produced outside of Eretz Yisrael, when the 
packages list a Yoshon label and also have the name/symbol of a major 
kashrus supervision, they are Yoshon. Also, all items under the 
following European hashgochos are always Yoshon: Kedassia-London, Rabbi 
Westheim and Rabbi Schneeblag.


*SELECTED PACKING CODES*

The following are the Chodosh packing codes for a few popular items. For 
other items, you may check last year's Guide for the code system (_don't 
forget to use the revised wheat, oats and barley dates and to update the 
year_) or call the Hot Line at 718-305-5133.


Quaker and Mothers oats old fashioned and 1 Minute oats Jan 16 '13 (540 
days after packing). The code for the hot, cooked instant oats depends. 
For the flavored type the code is Jul 20 '12 (360 days). The original 
unflavored instant oats type may be either 360 days or 540 days. You 
have to call the company with the package in your posession and ask. 
Quaker Life cereals is Jul 20 12 (360 days). If produced in Canada the 
dates will be later, to be announced when known.


General Mills Cheerios products, Kretchmer wheat germ and Nature Valley 
granola bars that contain wheat, wheat germ or wheat starch Aug 21 12 
(372 days). If they contain oats but not any of the wheat products Sept 
21 12.


Kellogs and Post cereals with oats Jul 26 '12 (1 year), with wheat but 
no oats, Aug 15 '12 (1 year).


Shoprite oats cereal Jan 26 13 (18 months). Sturm oats Jul 26 '13 (2 
years). Oats cereals from Kemach, Taanug, Unger and Walmart-Great Value 
Jul 26 '12 (1 year).


*OATS CHODOSH DATES FOR _GENERAL MILLS_ CEREALS*

In the list above you will note that the start of the Chodosh packing 
dates for oats products is given the chumra date of of Jul 26. 
However, the O-U assures us that the oats used in General Mills cereals 
and Nature Valley Granola bars should be Yoshon at least up to the 
packing date of Sept 15, maybe even later. This date should be used with 
caution. For most companies, the oats become Chodosh earlier than the 
wheat. For General Mills it is the opposite. Check the list of 
ingredients of the General Mills cereal of interest to you. If it 
contains wheat, wheat starch or wheat germ, then the 

Bulletin from the Guide to Chodosh

[yherman]

CHODOSH BULLETIN-19 SEPT 10
From the Guide to Chodosh-Y. Herman
Chodosh telephone Hot Line 718-305-5133, email yher...@yahoo.com

CORRECTIONS AND ADDITIONS TO THE NEW GUIDE
The following are additions and corrections to this first issue of the
Guide to Chodosh.  The items added since the last bulletin are marked at
the start with “**”.

CRC Hashgochos
On page 17 of the Guide it mistakenly states that their hashgocho policies
are not known. In fact they are known, as detailed in Preface A.2, page
4-5.

Section 4.1 Baked Products
** Kemach. All cookies, snackers, crackers are Yoshon, even whole wheat
and graham, at least until malt becomes a problem after Dec. Bread sticks
are Yoshon including the malt. Flat breads should be Yoshon at least up to
the purchase date of Oct 15. Codes to be supplied later.

** Liebers cookies, crackers and snackers made in the USA without oats are
Yoshon at least until malt becomes a problem after Dec. 

Section 4.2 Pretzels
** WARNING: Honey-wheat pretzels (all brands) use whole wheat flour that
may be Chodosh after a packing date of Aug 9. No codes known at this time.

Section 5 Noodles and Pasta
** America’s Choice noodles and pasta the code is Aug 16 2012 (2 years
after packing.)
** Kemach egg noodles are Yoshon even without a Yoshon label until Jan 1.
After that only with a Yoshon label.
** Shoprite noodles and pasta code has changed. It is now 2 years after
packing. The Chodosh code should be Aug 16 2012.

Section 6 Flour
** Dependable all purpose and whole wheat flour sold in groceries in 5, 6
or 7 pound bags are Yoshon if there is a Yoshon stamp on the package.

** Kemach-All Kemach flour sold in groceries, all purpose, whole wheat and
high gluten all use winter wheat that is Yoshon. The whole wheat flour does
not contain any malt. The other flours do contain malt that could be
Chodosh after December. Code to be supplied later.

Section 7.1 Barley
** Gefen barley will be Yoshon the entire season, under the hashgocho of
Rabbi Friedman. His name does not appear on the package.

Section 7.2 Bread crumbs, matzo meal
** Kemach bread crumbs in 50 pound bags and matzo meal in 25 pound bags
are Yoshon.

Section 8.1
General Mills cereals using oats, the oats will be Yoshon at least up to
the packaging date of Oct 15. Therefore, when using the table in the Guide
for General Mills cereals, use the earlier wheat Chodosh date, not the
oats. The package code for Nestle cereals sold in Israel is still not
known.

** Kemach cereals. The following use only winter wheat and are Yoshon, at
least until the malt becomes a problem after December. Whole Wheat Flakes,
Raisin Bran and Bran Flakes, Cocoa Munchies, Choco Chippers.

** Quaker instant oats, code is now in transition. Some packages on
shelves still have the old code which is 540 days after packing. Some of
the new production already use the new code of 360 days. Some guidance in
the unavoidable confusion: new packages of Cinnamon Spice, Apples and
Cinnamon and Maple and Brown Sugar should use the new code. In addition all
boxes with the notation “New Hardier Texture” or when the ingredient state
25% less sugar” all are using 360 days.

Section 9.1 Frozen and packaged foods
** Kemach pie crusts, graham and chocolate graham are Yoshon at least
until the malt becomes a problem after Dec. 

** Mendelson pizzas Yoshon also under the hashgocho of the O-U (the O-U
hashgocho covers the malt also.)

** Smackin Good products are all Yoshon under the hashgocho of Rabbi
Weissmandl.

** Unger frozen pie shells in 3, 6 and 9 inch sizes have a Chodosh code of
10188 (10=year, 188=day of the year). If no code is visible, then all items
in the store by Aug 24 are probably still Yoshon.  Callers to the Hot Line
report that some packages do not have any code on them. These can not be
recommended as Yoshon.

Section 11.
On page 47 at the bottom of the left-hand column it infers that Caravan
Dough conditioner could be a Chodosh problem. In fact, at the top of that
column it states that this product is available under hashgocho of the CRC
as Yoshon.

** Dependable products: Dependable brand bakery flour Chodosh code AL245
(245 day of the year). General Mills flours  Chodosh date Aug 15 10. Bay
State Bouncer flour Yoshon under hashgocho of the O-U. ConAgra flour Yoshon
under the hashgocho of the Kof-K. Masbia bread crumbs are made in Israel
and are Yoshon. Farina Chodosh code Aug 1 10. Oatmeal Chodosh code Aug 1
10. Bear Stewarts muffin and muffin mixes Chodosh code Sept 2 2010.
Following Yoshon until further notice: Dependable and Masbia brand pasta,
noodles and egg barley, also wraps.

Section 12.1.1 Catering and takeout (New York City area)
**Meisners and Zami in Brooklyn, Yoshon under the hashgocho of Rabbi
Nesanel Sommer of Monsey. (Malt is not checked. That may be a problem after
Dec.)

*

THE NEW GUIDE TO CHODOSH READY FOR DOWNLOAD BY EMAIL

You can download the new Guide, as usual, by sending an email 

Bulletin from the Guide to Chodosh

[Y. Herman]

CHODOSH BULLETIN-1 Feb 10
From the Guide to Chodosh-Y. Herman
Chodosh telephone Hot Line 718-305-5133, email yher...@yahoo.com

The third and last issue of the Guide to Chodosh has gone to the 
printer. It should be mailed out to the individual subscribers and local 
distributors within about 1 week. The following is the summary of 
changes from the second issue of the Guide.


ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS TO THE SECOND ISSUE OF
THE GUIDE TO CHODOSH

CRC-HISACHDUS NOW DOES CERTIFY YOSHON

Until this year, the CRC-Hisachdus did not certify Yoshon, even for
items under their hashgocho that had a Yoshon
label. This policy has now changed. For all packaged foods with a CRC
hashgocho for kashrus and a Yoshon label,
the CRC hashgocho covers the Yoshon as well. The same holds for all
establishments such as bakeries, pizza shops,
etc that claim to be Yoshon and are under the CRC hashgocho for kashrus.
This policy went into effect at the end
of the summer, from the beginning of the current Chodosh season.
Therefore, it covers all items on the market
today. The CRC is also makpid on malt. They will not certify as Yoshon
any item that may contain Chodosh malt.

Earlier issues of this Guide to Chodosh had reflected the former refusal
of the CRC to take responsibility for
Yoshon. Therefore, we listed products with a Yoshon label and only a CRC
hashgocho under the ? category.
Namely that without a responsible hashgocho we could not recommend such
items as Yoshon. Now that we have
been advised of the new CRC policy, we attempted to reclassify those
items to categories of ? or ?. However, it is
quite possible that we missed some items and neglected to reclassify them.


OTHER ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS TO THE THIRD ISSUE OF THE
GUIDE


CORRECTIONS AND ADDITIONS LISTED BY SECTION NUMBER IN THE GUIDE

4.1 Cakes, cookies and crackers
? Baker’s Best rugelach and cookies with a Yoshon label, and a CRC
hechsher for kashrus. Yoshon under the
hashgocho of the CRC.
? Craven’s Choice cookies with a Yoshon label, and a CRC hechsher for
kashrus. Yoshon under the hashgocho of
the CRC.
? Home Style cookies with a Yoshon label, and a CRC hechsher for
kashrus. Yoshon under the hashgocho of the
CRC.
? Kemach flat breads, all kinds, have a Chodosh code of Jan 1 2011.
? Lekach Tov cookies with a Yoshon label, and a CRC hechsher for
kashrus. Yoshon under the hashgocho of the
CRC.
? Liebers pizza chips and rye chips are Yoshon under the hashgocho of
Rabbi Weissmandl.
? Yossie’s packaged products (not to be confused with Yossie’s Heimishe
Bakeries in Boro Park, Brooklyn). All
items with both a CRC hashgocho for Kashrus and a Yoshon label are
Yoshon under the CRC.

5.1 Regular noodles, pasta, mandlen and croutons
? America’s Choice pasta. The code may have changed. Check with the
company or call the Hot Line for updates.
? Barilla pastas that are packed on Aug 16 or later may be Chodosh. The
codes for different pastas are as follows:
Plus Pasta code Aug 16 10 (1 year after packing). Whole Grain Pasta code
Feb 16 11 (18 months after packing.)
Oven Ready Lasagna code Apr 16 11 (20 months). Straight Semolina Pasta
code Apr 16 12 (32 months).
? Kemach egg noodles and farfel purchased since Jan. 1 are guaranteed to
be Yoshon only with a Yoshon label.
Kemach one pound boxes of macaroni, spaghetti and lasagna have a Chodosh
code of Nov 1 2011 (2 years after
packing.) . Bulk bow ties, egg barley, noodles in 10 pound packages as
well as 20 pound packages have a Chodosh
code of 3359 (335=day of year, 9=year). However 20 pound pasta with a
different code system has the Chodosh
code of 09/01/11 (day of packing +2 years.) Under the hashgocho of Rabbi
Horowitz.
? Ronzoni Healthy Harvest Chodosh date is Aug 16 11 (2 years after
packing), if made in the US. Ronzoni, Catelli
and Lancia pasta made in Canada, the Chodosh code is: Regular (white)
pasta Nov 16 12, Smart, Whole Wheat,
Egg noodles, Egg Fetucini, Vegetable Pasta code Nov 16 11. Multigrain
code Oct 5 11.

6. Home baking products
? Best flours, some flours contain “Dough Conditioner”. According to the
mashgiach, Rabbi Gruber, these flours
are Yoshon, including the dough conditioner.
? Bob’s Red Mill whole wheat flour Chodosh code Aug 9 11 (2 years after
packing.)
? Duncan Hines revised Chodosh codes: All mixes for brownies, cookies
and muffins the Chodosh code is Feb 9 11
(18 months after packing.) For cakes and oven-ready items the code is
Aug 9 10 (12 months after packing.)
Candies in the mix do not affect the code.
? Mishpacha, the malt in all flours is confirmed to be Yoshon till
pesach. Under the hashgocho of Rabbi
Teitelbaum, the Nirbarter Rav.

7.3 Soy terriaki and other sauces
? Gefen Chicken and Bar-b-q Seasoning contains semolina which is from
spring wheat. This product may be
Chodosh.

8.1 Cereals
? Barbara cereals update: We list how many months after packing are the
dates on each of the following cereals.
For oats please add these months to Jul 26. For wheat but no oats add to
Aug 9. Ultima 

Bulletin from the Guide to Chodosh

[Y. Herman]

*CHODOSH BULLETIN-18 NOV 08*

*From the Guide to Chodosh-Y. Herman*

*Chodosh telephone Hot Line 718-305-5133, email [EMAIL PROTECTED]
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]**

* *

* *

The second issue of the Guide to Chodosh has gone to the printer. It
should be available in front of my house at 20 Sylvan Road, Monsey
approximately Sunday, Nov 23. The local distributors of the Guide in
various cities, as well as the individual paid subscribers should
receive it by mail during the week of Nov 23.

Meanwhile you may download the PDF version of the latest Guide by
sending a blank email message to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]. (The second, sefer site is not yet ready. I
will send out a new message when that becomes available.)

Below is a summary of the new items in the second issue of the Guide:


   ANNUAL MALT REMINDER

* *

For the second year in the row, malt has started to become a problem
earlier than in the past years, as early as the manufacturing or packing
date of Oct 15. That means that packaged items whose dating code
indicates that it was packed on Oct. 15 or later, may contain Chodosh
malt. However, when dating codes are not known, we believe that you can
rely on the assumption that anything purchased up to Jan. 15 should
still use only Yoshon malt. (These dates are 2 months earlier than the
dates that we have used during most of the earlier years.)

The following applications of malt pose a problem of Chodosh. Malt is
used for several purposes. Foods using malt for _flavoring_ or _coloring
_should not be used if packed after Oct 15 since that malt may be
Chodosh. That includes cereals flavored with malt such as Corn Flakes
and Rice Crispies. ? *Pretzels* The Guide has always warned that
pretzels conain malt that may be Chodosh. In fact, not all pretzels
contain malt. If the ingredients do not list malt, then it can be
assumed that the pretzels are Yoshon, _if they do not contain whole
wheat flour or oats_. This is since the usual wheat flour used in
_crunchy (not soft chewy)_ pretzels is from winter wheat.* *If they do
contain malt, then they may still until the purchase date of Jan 15. We
do not have any package dating codes for pretzels at this time.

There are specialty vinegars such as malt vinegar, terragon vinegar and
salad vinegar which are made with high concentrations of malt. However,
the vinegar used in almost all food products, also known as
?manufacturers white vinegar? does not have any Chodosh problems.
Therefore, the following common products should be free of Chodosh:
ordinary household vinegar, and condiments such as ketchup, mayonnaise,
mustard, pickles, etc.

Thus far we have discussed malt used as flavoring or coloring. However,
there is another frequent use of malt. It is used in most baking flours
for their chemical reaction, which allows the flour to react with the
yeast and water so that the dough should rise properly. We have received
/psak halochos/ several years ago that baking flour is not a problem so
far as the malt content is concerned. This includes baking flour that
lists barley malt in the ingredients. (For some baking flours we have
included dating codes, as we do for many other products, for those who
do not want to rely on this /psak/ that this malt may be used.)

_In summary_. if you know the dating code for an item that has a malt
problem, then you should avoid that item if the dating code indicates
that it was *packed* on or after Oct. 15. If the dating code is not
known, then we recommend that the item would probably still be Yoshon if
purchased up to Jan. 15. These dates are 2 months earlier than the dates
we were able to rely on up to 2 years ago.


   ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS TO THE FIRST ISSUE OF THE GUIDE

*? **Adirim* noodles, farfel and other pasta Yoshon under the hashgocho
of Rabbi S. Gissinger.

*? **America?s Choice* products sold in AP, Waldbaum, Food Emporium and
Pathmark have the same code. So far the following are known: baking
flour and barley Chodosh code is Aug 1 09 (1 year after packing.) For
pasta the code is Aug 16 09. Other codes such as cereals are not yet known.

*?** Bagel DeLox*, 421 Rt 59, Monsey, NY. Yoshon under the hashgocho of
Rabbi Steinmetz.

*? **Beigel?s Bakery*, maker of wholesale breads and other baked
products. Most items are Yoshon under the hashgocho of the OK Labs even
without a Yoshon label. Exception is 6-grain and other multigrain
breads. (Care should be taken that products sold at groceries without
any label at all not be confused with such products from other bakeries.)

*? **CRC (Chicago Rabbinical Council)* has a policy of making sure that
the malt used in all of their Yoshon certifications is also Yoshon.
(This should not be confused with the CRC (Central Rabbinical
Congress-Hisachdus that does not certify Yoshon at all.)

*? **Cream of Wheat* farina made by BG Foods. The Chodosh code is Aug 1,
2010 (2 years after packing.)

*? **Dependable* update: Following pasta products are Yoshon under the

Bulletin from the Guide to Chodosh

[Y. Herman]

*CHODOSH BULLETIN-JULY 15 08*

We have just received the latest weekly crop report from the US Dep’t of
Agriculture. That report indicates that the harvest of the Chodosh crops
is somewhat behind the normal schedule. As a result, we are putting off
the starting Chodosh date for _oats_ from Jul 15 to *_Jul 21_*. So far
our estimates for the start of Chodosh spring _wheat and barley_ remain
at _Aug 1_ and for _noodles and pasta_ the date still tentatively
remains at _Aug 15_. These dates are PACKING dates. This means that
packaged food items packed on these dates or later may contain Chodosh.
Using package codes from earlier Guides should allow you to find Yoshon
items on your grocery shelves later than this date. (You may download
the last Guide of the previous season by sending a blank email to
[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]. However, remember that
this is still last year’s Guide and it should only be used as a
reference for dating codes. The actual dates and information in that
Guide are not to be used for the new season. The first issue of the new
season is due out in early Sept.)

For _freshly baked_ bakery, pizza shop, etc foods, the preliminary
estimate is that the flour they use may become Chodosh as early as _Aug
1_. Please look for future bulletins as more data becomes available.

Regarding our earlier fears for the availability of Yoshon in bakeries,
etc, the situation has dramatically and unexpectedly improved. As of
June 1, we were still being told by the flour mills and flour
distributors that most likely there will be no Yoshon spring wheat flour
available for the new season. This was because it was expected that
there will not be any Yoshon spring wheat left over at the start of the
Chodosh harvest. It was at the time that we called for the July 14
emergency meeting of flour producers, sellers, and Yoshon mashgichim.
Then the prospects looked bleak indeed. However, in the weeks following
that meeting, a complete turnaround has occurred. In fact, there is
indeed some left over Yoshon wheat, less than usual, but enough for our
needs. By today, almost all of the bakeries and other facilities that
have produced Yoshon in the past have already contracted to have
adequate supplies of Yoshon for the next season. Therefore, we are
cancelling our previously published alert. We now expect the Yoshon
scene (and the Guide to Chodosh) to follow patterns established in
previous years. If anyone is aware of any food producer who has problems
procuring Yoshon flour, please ask them to contact Yoseph Herman at the
Guide to Chodosh by email at [EMAIL PROTECTED]
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] or by the Hot Line at 718-305-5133.

Y. Herman




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Project Chodosh is an independent activity, not affiliated with any
movement or organization. We thank the Jewish Internet Fund (JIF) for
allowing us to use their E mail distribution services. The JIF provides
free email and web hosting to Jewish education and outreach
organizations. We also thank the sites moruda.com and sefer.org for
allowing the public to use E mail to request copies from their
facilities of the Guides to Chodosh and the Mashgichim Guide.

Bulletin from the Guide to Chodosh

[Y. Herman]

CHODOSH BULLETIN AS OF Nov 23 06

All Liebers cookies, crackers without oats are from winter wheat and are 
now Yoshon. Snackers, Saltines and graham and other items containing malt 
may be Chodosh after the packing date of Dec 15. Code to be supplied in the 
future. All Liebers potato and corn chips are Yoshon. All cereals without 
oats are Yoshon as are bread crumbs. Under the hashgocho of Rabbi Weissmandl.


Smackin Good pancakes and waffles are Yoshon. Knishes are Chodosh at this 
time. They will try to produce Yoshon in the future. If they succeed, then 
appropriate dating codes will be supplied. Under the hashgocho of Rabbi 
Weissmandl.


Kineret and Kosherific . pastry dough, potato latkes are Yoshon..Onion 
rings and fish sticks are Chodosh. Cookie dough, frozen challehs may also 
be Chodosh. Under the hashgocho of Rabbi Weissmandl.


Dr Praeger breaded fish sticks are Yoshon. Those that contain oat bran have 
a Chodosh code of L06xx or W06xx (where 06 is the year and xx are some 
other characters). Any letter before the digits 06, other than L or W, is 
Yoshon under the hashgocho of Rabbi Unger.


Monsey Bar B Q on Route 59 is Yoshon under the hashgocho of Rabbi Unger.

Classy Cakes, Lakewood, NJ 732-886-1112. Yoshon under the hashgocho of the 
KAJ (warning: this hashgocho does not check for malt.)


Kaff Bakery 1815 Ave. M, Brooklyn, 718-951-2602. Yoshon under the hashgocho 
of Belz.


Mishpacha chow mein noodles are NOT Yoshon. No code available.

CaffeInne Spot Restaurant, 401 West Route 59, Monsey, 845-201-0074. Yoshon 
under the hashgocho of the KAJ.


Wheatena, Maltex and Maypo cereals. For oats in the ingredients the Chodosh 
code is Jul 26 07 (1 year after packing.) For wheat ingredients, the code 
is Aug 9 07.


Schicks Bakery, 4710 16th Ave Brooklyn. The breads are brought in from the 
outside and are NOT under hashgocho for Yoshon. Other items baked locally 
are Yoshon.


Zishes Bakery, Main St. Monsey. Yoshon under the hashgocho of Rabbi 
Yechezkel Gold. This includes whole wheat and spelt products.


Beigels Bakery products do not have any hashgocho for Yoshon at this time.

U. S. Mills farina Chodosh date Aug 9 2008 (2 years after packing.)

Kemach updates: Cereals: Toasted oats, Honey Nut Toasted Oats, Fruit 
Whirls, Honey Crunch (like Honeycombs), Corn Crisps (like Kix), Bunch O 
Crunch, all have a Chodosh date of Nov 1 07. For all  spaghetti, macaroni 
and lasagna, in the 1 pound grocery packages the Chodosh code is 10/15/07 
(1 year after packing). The 10 pound bulk packages where the code ends with 
the letter Z, the Chodosh date is Oct 15, code 2886 31 Z (228=day of the 
year, 6=year, 31=not important, Z=factory). For the 10 pound bulk sizes 
where the code begins with the letter P,  the Chodosh date is not known 
yet. Probably Yoshon at least up to the purchase date of at least Sept 15. 
The 20 pound bulk pasta with no letters P or Z, the Chodosh code is 
9/04/08. (2 years after packing.). Kemach high gluten flour is Yoshon, as 
printed on the label. Malt may be Chodosh starting with the code of June 15 
2008 (18 months after packing.) All cookies except those with oatmeal are 
from winter wheat. Also from winter wheat are Kem Kem crackers, whole wheat 
 Bran crackers, Snackers, Grahams. Malt in crackers may be Chodosh 
starting Dec 15 (code 6 349). Flat bread (not whole wheat) may be Chodosh 
starting with the code of Dec 1 2007 (13 months after packing.) Whole wheat 
flat bread code Oct 1 07.  Oatmeal cookies are Chodosh starting with code 
6207. (6=year, 207=day of the year.)


Arrowhead Mills comprehensive Chodosh codes. For oats use the Chodosh 
packing date of Jul 26, for wheat and barley, Aug 9. The following is a 
list of the time between the packing date and the date on the packages: 
Vital wheat gluten (10 oz)=2 years. Vital wheat gluten (25 pound)=724 days. 
Wheat bran 540 days. Multigrain bread mix, whole wheat bread mix=1year. 
Organic oat bran (25 lbs)=540 days. Organic 7 grain cereal=1 year. Organic 
barley flakes rolled=1year. Organic oat and wheat flakes rolled=1 year. 
Organic oat flour, pastry flour, spelt flour, whole wheat flours, all other 
flours=1 year. Whole unground grains of spelt, wheat or barley=2 years. 
Organic oat groats=2 years. Organic bulgur wheat=540 days. Barley flour=1 
year. Oat flour (1.5 lbs)=270 days. Kamut flour, kamut flakes=1 year. 
Bulgur wheat=540 days. All cereals including multigrain, spelt, kamut, 
Nature Os, oat bran flakes shredded wheat =1 year. Oat bran=540 days. 
Instant oatmeal (10 oz)=2 years. Old fashioned oatmeal (16 oz), rolled oat 
flakes=1 year. Steel cut oats=540 days.


WARNING: We have seen reports from kashrus organizations and from 
individuals that this year they are finding an unusually high frequency of 
insect infestation in baking flour, pasta and pearled barley purchased in 
local grocery stores for home use. This problem is not due to any storage 
for Yoshon, since it is occurring at the beginning 

Bulletin from the Guide to Chodosh

[Y. Herman]

CHODOSH BULLETIN AS OF 29 Dec 05


THE FOLLOWING ARE CORRECTIONS AND ADDITIONS TO THE SECOND ISSUE OF
THE GUIDE

Pizza Mizza, 305 Ave. K., Brooklyn, New York, telephone 718-692-2800.
Everything in the store is Yoshon. No hashgocho for Yoshon.

Twizzler candies. The Chodosh status of the wheat in the ingredients is
not yet clear. However the code given in the Guide is not
correct. The proper Chodosh code should have been 58LYU6H, where
the last 2 characters are important. 6=year+1, H=month in alph.
order.

Eagle Bakery, address correction: 3801 13th Ave., Brooklyn, New
York.

M  M Bakery, address correction: 2610 Ave. U, Brooklyn, New
York.

Gefen Rice Milk is Yoshon.

Liebers graham and saltine crackers may contain small amount of barley
malt that is Chodosh starting at this time according to the
mashgiach.

Kinneret onion rings are now Chodosh according to the 
mashgiach.

Dr. Praeger breaded fish products and fish cakes, all varieties, are
always Yoshon as stated in the Guide. Dr. Praeger's veggie burgers,
vegetable pancakes, and Nuggets contain some oat bran. All packages
with codes such as L05AE use Yoshon oat bran. However packages with
the code of W05, where W is the first letter, contain Chodosh oat
bran.

Paskesz Encore candy bar under the hashgocho of Rabbi Westheim is
Yoshon.

General Mills Total cereals have a date that is 310 days after
packing.

Kosher Gourmet produces frozen hospital food packages. These are
all Yoshon, without hashgocho for Yoshon.


**

AS OF 15 DECEMBER 05

15th Ave. Food Corporation that sells breads throughout the
New York metropolitan area in groceries under the names off Sterns, Kohen
and New York kosher has announced that they have been unable to secure
Yoshon whole wheat flour. As of Sunday, December 11 all whole wheat
breads from this company should be treated as Chodosh until further
notice. With the exception all whole wheat bread, all items that were
Yoshon in the past continue to be Yoshon.

King Arthur flour corrections: white whole wheat flour contains spring
wheat Chodosh code Aug 15, 2006.


Subsational. The address given in a Guide was incorrect. The
correct address it is 992 E. 15th St., Brooklyn.

Diari pasta and cous cous are Yoshon under the hashgocho of the Star K of
Baltimore.

Primoro pasta and cous cous are Yoshon under the hashgocho of the Star K
of Baltimore.

Spiga pasta and cous cous are Yoshon under the hashgocho of the Star K of
Baltimore.

American Roland pasta and cous cous are Yoshon under the hashgocho of the
Star K of Baltimore.

Gustoro cous cous is Yoshon under the hashgocho of the Star K of
Baltimore.

Everything Spelt Bakery in Monsey. All items are Yoshon at all
times, including items containing oats. Under the hashgocho of Rav
Weissmandl.

Liebers brownies are probably Chodosh at this time.

Kinneret and are Kosherific frozen chalehs and fish sticks are Yoshon
until approximately January 15. Latke mixes are always
Yoshon.
*

The PDF version of the second issue of the Guide is now available from
BOTH sites:

[EMAIL PROTECTED]
[EMAIL PROTECTED]

The new Guide is also available for downloading by computers with
telephone modems without the use of the Internet. You may get the
Guide by dialing directly into our BBS. For instructions on how to
use the BBS call the telephone hot line at 845-356-5743.

***

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movement or organization. We thank the Jewish Internet Fund (JIF) for
allowing us to use their E mail distribution services. The JIF
provides free email and web hosting to Jewish education and outreach
organizations. We also thank the sites moruda.com and sefer.org for
allowing the public to use E mail to request copies from their facitlites
of the Guides to Chodosh and the Mashgichim.
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Bulletin from the Guide to Chodosh

[Y. Herman]

CHODOSH BULLETIN AS OF 2 Nov 05


WARNING: Kemach has announced that there have been reports of bugs in one
batch of their high gluten flour. This flour has the dating code on
it of Y251051. Kemach recommends that this flour be sifted before
use. We are not aware of bugs in any other flour. We also do
not believe that this bug problem has any connection to Yoshon. It
seems to have been a quality control problem at the factory doing the
packing of this one batch.

Presser bakery, 1720 Ave. M., Brooklyn. Everything in the store is
Yoshon. No mashgiach for Yoshon.

Pita Sababa, 540 Kings Hwy Brooklyn. Pita Yoshon under the
hashgocho of Rabbi Gornish.

Chopsies kishke and Chopsie's pizza are both Yoshon under hashgocho
of the Star K.

Benzs kishke is Yoshon under the hashgocho of the Star K.

Pillsbury home baking flour information: The all purpose white flour is
always made from winter wheat. For those who are concerned about
the malt, flour with the date up to June 15, 2007 should have Yoshon malt
in it. Pillsbury whole wheat flour and bread flour both have the
probable Chodosh date on the package of August 15, 2006.

Kemach soup mixes. Split pea soup is always Yoshon. Vegetable
soup mix and minestrone soup mix are Yoshon at this time and are expected
to be Yoshon for several months. Package code to be supplied
shortly.

Samuel Adams beer made from barley malt and under the hashgocho of the
star K. is Yoshon up to a package date of April 30, 2006.

Krasdale oats cereal with the letter S in the date the Chodosh date is
two years after packing. In that case the probable Chodosh code is
August 2007S.

General Mills/Nestle cereals sold in Israel. There is an error on page
11. The oats Chodosh date should be Oct 1. On page 29, the text for the
paragraph (not the table) should be amended to read: The date on the
package when sold in Israel is one year after packing. Use the packing
dates given in this paragraph above.

Quaker oats cereals packed in Canada and sold in the USA have a Chodosh
packing date of September 1. The code for the hot oats cereal would
be 540 days after this date. The package date for this would be
February 24, 2007.

Tradition Soups on page 39, there is an error in this sample code
given. The probable Chodosh date of August 15 would translate to a
package date of August 15, 2007, 2 years after packing.

***


THE FOLLOWING AS OF 27 SEPTEMBER 05

WARNING: There are indications that some computer viruses are being
e-mailed from addresses that appeared to be coming from jif.org.il.
This is the address to which you send requests to subscribe and
unsubscribe from the Chodosh e-mail list. We at the address
[EMAIL PROTECTED] have also received mail from this address with
indications that the message may contain a virus. If you receive a
message from this address, treat it with the utmost caution. The
bulletins we send out should appear to come from our [EMAIL PROTECTED]
address and should have plausible subject lines dealing with Chodosh
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any URL or to respond in any such way directly. Do not ever open up
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*


The Guide to Chodosh was mailed out to all of the subscribers on Friday,
September 23. The following are corrections to the new Guide to
Chodosh:

Tradition foods instant soups on page 39 there is an error in the
code. The Chodosh date should be August 07 not August 06.

The probable Chodosh date for General Mills oats is October 1. For
the General Mills Peanut Butter Cookie Crisp cereal the date on or
packages seven months after packing. For that the Chodosh code
would be May 1 2006. For General Mills cookie crisp cereal the date
is eight months after packing giving a code of June 1 2006.

The malt Chodosh date for Gold Medal flour on page 25 should have been
Jul 15 07, 18 months after packing.

In Lakewood, Capital Pizza and Madison Pizza were listed as being Yoshon
under the hashgocho of Rabbi Gissinger. These two items should be
deleted.

Yosis Pita on page 35 is listed as ÒÓ. The category should have been
Ò.

Rice Dream on page 34 has the incorrect codes. For the Chodosh packing
date of Oct 1, the Rice Dream packages that do not require refrigeration
have a code of Oct 1, 2006 (1 year after packing.) For refrigerated
beverages the code is Nov 15, 2005 (45 days after packing.)

The following corrections apply to Baltimore, as forwarded by the Star-K. 

Café 921 at the Pikes has closed. 
Schmell  Azman Bakery, Baltimore. All items Yoshon except whole
wheat products. 
GoldbergKosher Bagels. The words from store onlyshould be deleted. 
Fred Weiss Knish Shop should have been called The Knish Shop. For
this establishment, all items are Yoshon except (1) sandwich bread is
Yoshon only on request, (2) knishes will be Yoshon only for a limited
time. A sign will be 

Bulletin from the Guide to Chodosh

[Y. Herman]

BULLETIN FROM THE GUIDE TO CHODOSH
Aug 24 04

This is a reminder that as of Aug 15, freshly baked bakery products in
the Midwest (such as Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, etc.) may be
Chodosh.

The Chodosh crop harvest is now in progress. As of Aug 22, 40% of the
Chodosh spring wheat, 48% of the barley and 75% of the USA oats have been
harvested. This is about 1-2 weeks later than the normal
schedule.

We are now in the frustrating blackout period. The Chodosh crop is
starting to come in. However, it is too early to get reliable information
from the companies. Due to these blackoutconditions, the Guide to Chodosh
will not be able to be printed until after Rosh Hashanah. By that time,
some Chodosh items are bound to be available in the marketplace. The best
we can do is offer the following dates for guidance in the
interim:
-Freshly baked products in the East USA and Far West may be Chodosh
starting Sept 10.
-Packaged wheat products, not including noodles and pasta may be Chodosh
staring the purchase date of Sept 15.
-Noodles and pasta may be Chodosh starting a purchase date of Sept
30.
-Oats may be Chodosh already if the company uses USA grown oats. However,
since many companies in the USA use Canadian oats whose harvest is much
later, most items are probably not Chodosh until a purchase date of Oct
1. Note that Quaker in the past used USA oats, that was Chodosh last
year, starting a packing date of end of August. On the other hand General
Mills (Cheerios, etc) has been using Canadian oats.
-Barley may be Chodosh is purchased after Oct 1.

These guess dates will be replace with specific brand-related dates as
the information becomes available.

Yoseph Herman


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or organization. We thank the Jewish Internet Fund (JIF) for allowing us
to use
their E mail distribution services. The JIF provides free email

and web hosting to Jewish education and outreach organizations. 

Bulletin from the Guide to Chodosh

[Y. Herman]

approved:yoshon1

BULLETIN FROM THE GUIDE TO CHODOSH

18 Feb 04

The third and final issue of the Guide for the season was mailed out on
Thursday, Feb. 12. Meanwhile you can receive via E mail a copy of this
Guide free of charge using the addresses and methods described at the end
of this message. We issued the notice that the newest Guide is available
by E mail about a week ago. However, those who requested the plain text
version only received the earlier, second issue. That item has now been
updated to the latest issue. Please request that again for the updated
version. We apologize for the trouble.

THE FOLLOWING ARE NEW ITEMS SINCE THE PRINTING OF THE 3RD
ISSUE OF THE GUIDE


WARNING: We have received a warning from a mashgiach regarding soy sauce
and teriyaki sauce. In the 3rd issue of the Guide we warned
that soy sauce is used very frequently with Chinese foods. It appears
that some restaurants which claim to be Yoshon are not aware of the fact
that soy sauce may be Chodosh if it contains wheat flour. This mashgiach
from a (non-Yoshon) non-Chinese restaurant pointed out that soy and
teriyaki sauces are used by chefs in a great variety of foods as a
standard condiment, even in non-Chinese foods. His restaurant even uses
it in tuna fish salad! Many such sauces contain flour and may be Chodosh.
We share his concern about how many Yoshonrestaurants and caterers are
aware of this problem. Meanwhile let the consumer beware and ask before
eating in restaurants. I would appreciate communications from those
reading this. Do you know how widespread this problem may be? Please send
me E mail (do not respond to this message. Rather, send me E mail at
[EMAIL PROTECTED] ) if you
have any relevant information about either the frequency of use of these
products or about the manufacturing processes of the sauces that may be
relevant. 

We have received many voice calls on the Hot Line about a product that
sounded like Em Zee Fruit Flicks. If someone has a wrapper from this
item, can they please E mail me the exact spelling of the company, the
product and a sample code.

General Mills cereals that contain oats, the Chodosh packing date has
changed from Oct 20 to Nov 11. All of the codes mentioned in the Guide
for General Mills cereals with oats should be adjusted accordingly.
Namely, for 248 days, the oats date is changed from Jun 24 04 to Jul 15
04. For 279 the Jul 25 04 date is changed to Aug 16 04. For 310 days, the
Aug 25 04 date is changed to Sept 15 04. For 372 days, the Oct 26 04 date
is changed to Nov 16 04.

Directly below is the first section of the Preface to the new Guide,
summarizing the changes from the last issue.


SUMMARY OF CHANGES FROM THE PREVIOUS ISSUE OF THE
GUIDE
NEW WARNINGS: 

We have always stated that items made from spelt are always Yoshon.
That was based on the fact that still holds that US-grown spelt is always
Yoshon. However, with the increased imports of grain from Canada, some
items made in the US are now from Canadian spelt that may be Chodosh. One
example is Vita spelt (see below.) We are now in the process of
reexamining the status of some domestic spelt products to see the source
of their spelt flour. 
Some items using flour made from winter wheat also list wheat starch
in the ingredients. We used to state that the wheat starch is not a
Chodosh problem. However, that may not always be accurate. An example of
this is Duncan Hines products listed below. 

· We have been informed
that many restaurants that serve Chinese food may not realize that almost
all soy sauces contain wheat which may be Chodosh at this time.
Apparently the soy sauce is a common ingredient in many of their dishes.
As stated in the last Guide, we are only aware of two brands of soy sauce
that are Yoshon, Gefen and LaChoy (La Choy does not contain wheat, check
ingredients for oats and barley or malt.) We urge all those who want to
order Chinese Yoshonfood, to check on the soy sauce.
· Malt in Kellogs
cereals. We have always been informed that the Chodosh malt is never
shipped before Dec 15 of each year. The COR of Toronto informed us just
before this Guide went to the printer that Kellogs in the USA may
have received Chodosh malt as early as Nov 21. We have not had the time
to investigate this further. Meanwhile we have revised the Kellogs
listing to recommend Nov 21 as the Chodosh packing date for malt. Thusfar
we are not recommending any changes in the malt dates for other
companies, pending further investigation.

OTHER NEWS AND CHANGES

Gefilte Fish. So far as we know, all gefilte fish are Yoshon. Most
contain matzo meal. AB Gefilte fish contains bread crumbs, but they
use only Yoshon bread.

HADAR PRODUCTS-PLEASE Please DO NOT CALL the Chodosh Hot Line
regarding Hadar products. The mashgiach for Hadar insists that we respond
to all inquiries by stating that only items stating Yoshonon the label
are to be accepted as Yoshon. All others may be Chodosh and no dating
codes will be given. 

Ð Liebers

Bulletin from the Guide to Chodosh

[Y. Herman]

approved:yoshon1

BULLETIN FROM THE GUIDE TO CHODOSH

27 Jan 04

Gefen barley is Yoshon at least up to the packing date of Dec 8 code 8 DE
05. Gefen chocolate wafers, Tam Tam crackers and Tariaki sauce are all
Yoshon.

Circa Restaurant, 1505 Ave J, Brooklyn. The following are Yoshon without
hashogocho: pizza, wraps, pasta and pastries. The following are Chodosh:
breads, bagels, French fries.

Lekach Tov Bakery, 4809 New Utrecht Ave, Brooklyn, 718-435-5650. All
chalehs, cakes and cookies are Yoshon, without hashgocho for
Yoshon.

Mishpacha flours, all purpose and high gluten, are all Yoshon under the
hashgocho of Rav Aron Teitelbaum, the Nirbator Rav. Also Yoshon are
Mishpacha baking spray with flour, bread crumbs, matzo balls. All items
that are Yoshon have a Yoshon label on the package. NOT Yoshon is Chow
Mein noodles.

Hodgson Mills spelt flour and wheat germ are both Yoshon (without
hashgocho).

Barilla Pasta code given in the Guide is correct, with a slight
modification: The probable Chodosh date of Sept 15 may have a code like
436583. (Start from the last digit, 3=year. Take the next 3 digits before
the last one, 658 and subtract 400 to yield 258, the day of the year for
Sept 15. The first digits such as 43 are not important.)

***

22 Jan 04

UPDATE ON FOODS UNDER THE HASHGOCHO OF RABBI M. WEISSMANDL

LIEBERS PRODUCTS:
Warning: Liebers brownies are now Chodosh.
The following Liebers products are Yoshon until pesach: all soup mixes
and cup soups, all cookies and cereals without oats, (with oats they are
probably Chodosh) bread crumbs, corn chips, ice cream cones, all cake
mixes, licorice, candies, Coat  Bake baking spray.
Smackin Good potato knishes are Chodosh now. Waffles are Yoshon now but
may be Chodosh very soon. 
Kineret frozen chalehs are Yoshon. Also Yoshon are other Kineret and
Kosherrific fish products and onion rings. 
Larom products including frozen dough items are Yoshon now, but may be
Chodosh soon.
Old City pasta and pizza products are Yoshon.
Old City Café products, including burritos and macaroni and cheese
dinners, are Yoshon. 
Tovli ice cream sandwiches are Yoshon.
Setton International licorice is Yoshon. 

ConAgra HH (Hotel and Restaurant) flour from factory MC (code such
as MC101503, number not important) is always Yoshon.


**
28 Dec 03

WARNING: We have been informed that many restaurants that serve Chinese
food may not realize that almost all soy sauces contain wheat which may
be Chodosh at this time. Apparently the soy sauce is a common ingredient
in many of their dishes. As stated in the last Guide, we are only aware
of two brands of soy sauce that are Yoshon, Gefen and LaChoy (La Choy
does not contain wheat, check ingredients for oats and barley or malt.)
We urge all those who want to order Chinese Yoshonfood, to check on the
soy sauce.

PDF versions of the Guide. We have received several E mail messages from
people who have tried to get the PDF version of the Guide (see below) by
sending a message to
[EMAIL PROTECTED] and have not
received any response. At least in some of those cases, it was due to the
fact that the E mail service that they were using would block the return
message which is supposed to contain an attachment that is as large than
500 Kbytes. If your mail service does not block large attachments and
have trouble getting the PDF file, send me a message at
[EMAIL PROTECTED].

***
25 Dec 04

Gefen Barley packed on 24 Nov 03 (code 24 NO 05) is Yoshon.

Glicks baking spray with flour is Yoshon, without hashgocho for
Yoshon.

Vita spelt flour from Purity Foods. The whole grain spelt flour is
Yoshon. The white spelt flour may be Chodosh starting with the packing
date of Sept 1, code March 1 04 (6 months after packing.)

Hodgson Mills products have a code change. The date on the packing is now
2 years after packing. 

Weiss Wholesale Bakery, 143 Front St., Brooklyn, NY 11201. All items
baked are Yoshon without hashgocho for Yoshon. 

Landau Whole wheat pretzels are Yoshon, without hashgocho for Yoshon.


Rice Dream. The Guide states that Rice Dream does not contain any wheat,
oats and barley. In fact it does contain a tiny amount of barley protein.
We are trying to ascertain the Yoshon nature of this additive.


**

16 Dec 03

WARNING: Duncan Hines cake and cookie mixes. The Guide has always stated
that these are from winter wheat, inferring that they are always Yoshon.
According to the O-U mashgiach, the flour used for the mixes is indeed
winter wheat. HOWEVER, the wheat starch is mostly from spring wheat and
is probably Chodosh starting with a packing date of Aug 15. The code for
Aug 15 is either 3227 (3=year, 227=day of the year) or 227M3 (227=day of
the year, M=not important, 3=year).

PDF versions of the Guide to Chodosh. The E mail address

Update bulletin from the Guide to Chodosh

[Y. Herman]

CHODOSH NEWS AS OF 8 JAN 03

ANNUAL MALT REMINDER

We never found any malt manufacturer that begins to ship Chodosh malt from 
the new barley crop earlier than Dec. 15. The malt is then shipped, Dec. 15 
or later, to other factories that begin to use it in the end products. 
Therefore, using the terminology established in the Guide, all malt in 
foods is “definitely” Yoshon before Dec 15. Up to Jan. 15 such malt is 
“probably” Yoshon
The following applications of malt pose a problem of Chodosh. Malt is used 
for several purposes. Foods using malt for flavoring or coloring should not 
be used if packed after Dec 15 or at least Jan 15 since that malt may be 
Chodosh. That includes cereals flavored with malt such as Corn Flakes and 
Rice Crispies, as well as most pretzels where it is used for coloring. Beer 
is also included in the category of items which are Chodosh because of 
malt. (In the case of beer, we recommend that the Dec 15 date should be 
used, not the probable date of Jan 15.)  In addition there are specialty 
vinegars such as malt vinegar, terragon vinegar and salad vinegar which are 
made with high concentrations of malt.
We had urged our readers to avoid some items in the past because they may 
contain barley malt. We have since discovered that many of these are not a 
problem so far as the malt content is concerned. This includes baking flour 
that lists barley malt in the ingredients. Also permitted are most 
vinegar-based items such as ordinary household vinegar, and condiments such 
as ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard, pickles, etc.

OTHER UPDATES

KEMACH malt update.  All Kemach cereals dated Jan 04 or later may have 
Chodosh malt.  All flour dated Jan 13 04 or later may have Chodosh malt. 
Bread sticks have no malt and are Yoshon. Crackers malt status to be announced.
LIEBERS cereals. All cereals containing oats or wheat germ should be 
considered Chodosh now. No codes given. Malt in cereals is Yoshon. Liebers 
potato chips and corn chips are Yoshon. All under the hashgocho of Rav 
Weissmandl.
FLOUR USA. Caution, the high gluten flours in brown paper bags made by this 
company may be Chodosh at this time. Those bags that contain Chodosh flour 
have the Yoshon label crossed out. Always check the label on the bags.
LANDAU whole wheat pasta is Chodosh at this time. No code given.
LE CHAIM Potato Crisps (like Pringles) is Yoshon. It contains no flour. The 
flour listed in the ingredients is by error.
BEECHNUT baby foods code update. For example for the sample code of 
2507MAY04, look only at the first 4 characters. 2=year, 
5=month(1=Jan…9=Sept, X=Oct, Y=Nov, Z=Dec), 07 day of the year. For oats 
and barley the code would be Sept 14=2914… For wheat Sept 11, code 2911…
MAYPO oats Chodosh date is Sept 21 (Note earlier than the date in the 
Guide!), code SEPT 21 2003 (1 year after packing). Maypo farina is Yoshon.
KOSHER BITE restaurant in Baltimore. Not all items are Yoshon. Yoshon is 
only available on some items and only on request. Ask at the restaurant.
SOUTH AFRICA. Up to date Yoshon information is available from the UOS, The 
Union of Orthodox Synagogues of South Africa in Johannesburg. Their Yoshon 
Bulletin may be accessed on the Web at the address www.uos.co.za.  Look for 
the Kashrus Guide. Under that look for Yoshon Update. You can also call 
them at 011-27-11-485-4865.
MANNA frozen pizza is Yoshon under the hashgocho of the Star-K. This is 
stated in the Guide, but is hidden there.
GENERAL MILLS cereal Lucky Charm is NOT KOSHER. The Guide does state that 
we take no responsibility for kashrus. Nevertheless, we try not to include 
items that are known not to be kosher. This cereal should be deleted.

---
THE FOLLOWING AS OF 29 DEC 02

The second issue of the Guide to Chodosh has been mailed out to all the 
subscribers. The following are additions and corrections to the second 
issue of the Guide.

BENZY’S MARTISCO AND UNGER BARLEY UPDATE. The second issue of the Guide 
described in great detail the halachic questions raised by these brands of 
barley. Refer to that Guide for the details. We suggested that you consult 
your Rov or Posek for halachic guidance. After the publication of the 
second Guide, on Dec. 13, 02 a letter was issued by Rabbi Evan Shore of the 
Young Israel of Syracuse. It states that Rabbi Shore visited Martisco (that 
packs all 3 brands of barley in question) and verified that all of the 
barley at Martisco on that date was of the Yoshon batch sealed under the 
hashgocho of the Ottawa Vaad Hakashrus. Based on that one time inspection, 
the letter concludes, in the words of Rabbi Shore,  “Without reservation I 
can say that the barley packaged by the Martisco Bean Company is Yoshon.” I 
had left two telephone messages on Rabbi Shore’s answer machine asking that 
he call me back for clarifications. I also left a telephone message with 
Unger/Martisco’s agent asking that Rabbi Shore call me. I sent a fax to 
both the 

Pre-season bulletin from the Guide to Chodosh

[Y. Herman]

I am reproducing below the Preseason Chodosh Bulletin that is being mailed 
out in the next few days. Please note that the reminder to renew 
subscriptions refers to the printed Guide that will be mailed out by U.S. 
mail. Those of you who have subscribed to this E mail list do not need to 
renew their subscriptions. However I ask very much that if you change E 
mail service providers, please unsubscribe from this E mail list first and 
then resubscribe from your new service. The instructions on how to do this 
are given at the end of this message.


TIME TO RENEW SUBSCRIPTIONS TO THE GUIDE TO CHODOSH

The new Chodosh season will start soon (see estimates below.) Now is the 
time to renew your subscription to have the three issues of the Guide 
mailed to your home. The Guide project does not accept any donations. All 
expenses are covered by the sales of the Guides. Postage paid subscriptions 
for the three issues cost $15. Individual copies sold by local distributors 
are $5 per issue.

The first issue of the Guide is due to be mailed out approximately mid 
September, to be followed by the other two issues in December and February.

To subscribe, please send your checks made out to Project Chodosh to the 
Guide address given at top of the page.

We have had difficulties in the past because not everyone included their 
full mailing address. Please fill in the renewal form given below. In 
particular, you must supply the Zip code and the apartment number, if 
applicable.

THE AGRICULTURAL SITUATION
The progress of the new Chodosh crops is running about average this year. 
Almost none of the potentially Chodosh crops were planted before pesach. 
Specifically the approximate amount planted before pesach was 1% of spring 
wheat, 2% of the barley and 4% of the oats. In terms of total crops 
available after the harvest, we anticipate that during the upcoming season, 
the majority of spring wheat, oats and barley will certainly be Chodosh. 
However, we do not have specific estimates since the US Department of 
Agriculture has not yet published data from which we calculate the 
percentages of Chodosh for each of the crops in question. We plan to 
publish numerical estimates on the Chodosh Hot Line recorded news and by E 
mail, after mid July, and in the Guide. It is also noteworthy that about 
1/3 of all the oats in the USA will be imported, mostly from Canada. 
Canadian oats are also mostly Chodosh, however, the harvest is considerably 
later than in the US.  This means that those companies that use US-grown 
oats could start Chodosh as early as start of August. However many large 
companies import Canadian oats for their cereals. Their Chodosh starting 
date is usually in early October. In the past, several of the major 
companies that used Canadian oats in their cereals included General Mills, 
ConAgra and Ralston. We have not yet checked on the arrangements of these 
companies for the new season.

ESTIMATED CHODOSH STARTING DATES
The following are preliminary estimates only. Corrections and updates to 
these will be posted  when available on the News section of the Chodosh Hot 
Line and by E mail to those who subscribe to the E mail list (see below.) 
The corrected dates will be published in the first edition of the Guide.

Freshly baked products in local bakeries such as breads, challehs, rolls, 
bagels probably Yoshon if purchased up to: Sept 7 in the East and Far West, 
Aug 25 in the Mid West.
Packaged foods containing wheat, other than pasta probably Yoshon if 
purchased up to Sept 15. After that package codes have to be used.
Packaged pasta probably safe if packed before Sept 30, probably safe to 
purchase up to Oct 15.
Foods containing oats may be Chodosh as early as the purchase date of Aug 
15. However, they are probably safe if packed up to Sept. 15, probably safe 
to purchase up to Oct 8. (The reason for this range of dates is that 
US-grown oats is harvested starting late July, but many large companies use 
Canadian oats that is harvested much later, as explained above.)
Foods containing barley (other than malt) probably safe if packed up to 
Sept 15, probably safe to purchase up to Oct 15.

A NOTE TO OWNERS OF YOSHON-PRODUCING ESTABLISHMENTS
If you are a producer of Yoshon foods, please note that the Guide would 
like to list your products. Such listing, which is at no charge to you, is 
a service to the Yoshon consumer and is free advertising for you. Please 
send full details including name and address of your establishment, the 
telephone number (voice and fax), the name of the person in charge, the 
name of the mashgiach who takes responsibility for Yoshon (if there is such 
a mashgiach) and a complete list of the Yoshon products that you offer. Fax 
this information to 845-356-5999. Alternatively, you can mail it to: Yoshon 
Producer Information, 20 Sylvan Road, Monsey, NY 10952. (It is important 
that the address be specifically to Yoshon Consumer Information. Otherwise 
your letter will be 

Bulletin from the Guide to Chodosh

[Y. Herman]

CHODOSH NEWS AS OF 22 NOV 01

The second edition of the Guide to Chodosh for the current season has now 
been completed. It is scheduled to be returned from the printer 
approximately on Monday or Tuesday, Nov. 26 or 27. As soon as it is 
delivered, it will be available for purchase that evening outside my home, 
20 Sylvan Road, Monsey. It should be mailed to the other dealers and the 
individual paid subscribers within a few days. Meanwhile some of you with E 
mail service are able to request (free of charge) an unformatted, text file 
version of the full Guide by sending a message to:

[EMAIL PROTECTED]

On the first line of the message type:
get Guide.txt

(This only works if you copy the message exactly, including 
capitalization.) The file is large, 200 KBytes. It will be sent to you by 
return E mail.

Meanwhile, attached below is the summary of changes and news taken from the 
beginning of the new Guide. This contains some new information, plus all of 
the information which I had been sending out piecemeal in earlier E mail 
updates.


Yoseph Herman



A SUMMARY OF CHANGES FROM THE PREVIOUS EDITION OF THE GUIDE
This is a summary of the changes that have become known since the printing 
of the last issue of the Guide. These changes are gathered here and listed 
in alphabetical order, to permit a quick review by the reader. The reader 
who is very familiar with the previous edition of the Guide may choose to 
merely review this list of corrections. However, for the convenience of 
everyone, each of these corrections has been inserted in the appropriate 
locations in the Guide below as well. In addition, in the body of the 
Guide, below, the attention of the reader is called to each item that has 
been corrected or added in this edition by bold print and a bullet marking 
next to the changed section. In a few cases where the changes are very 
lengthy, only a brief mention is made in this summary.

IMPORTANT WARNINGS

Spicy Fries. The Kehilah Kashrus of Brooklyn points out that most pizza 
stores (at least in Brooklyn, maybe elsewhere) sell Spicy Fries. These 
items may be Chodosh and should be avoided until further clarification, 
even in stores that are otherwise fully Yoshon.

Barley Warning: Some people may be claiming that the following barleys are 
Yoshon: Unger, Benzy’s and Martisco. In fact these companies have made some 
efforts to produce barley that is Yoshon. However, so far they have failed 
to explain adequately the reliability of their processes. Therefore, these 
are still not recommended as Yoshon until further notice unless the store 
already had them in stock by Sept 1.



REVISED PROBABLE CHODOSH DATE FOR PASTA

Noodles and other pasta for which no specific Chodosh date is given can be 
assumed to be probably Chodosh starting with a packing date of Oct 27, or 
to be probably Chodosh if purchased after Nov. 17.





FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS UNDER HASHGOCHO FOR YOSHON

Bread Basket Bakery, 703 Kings Highway, Brooklyn. All items Yoshon under 
the hashgocho of Rabbi Gornish.
Classic Caterers, 2818 Ave. K, Brooklyn, NY 11210. (718) 692-3100. . Yoshon 
available only by arrangements through the offices of Kehilah Kashrus.
Eli’s Bagels, 58 N. Myrtle Ave, Monsey. All baked goods are Yoshon under 
hashgocho for Yoshon of Rav Gruber. Note that this only applies to baked 
goods. Other items such as the barley, for example in cholent, may be Chodosh.
EmJay Caterers, 2902 Kings Highway, Brooklyn, NY 11229, (718) 338-5000. 
Yoshon available only by arrangements through the offices of Kehilah Kashrus.
Essex on Coney, Brooklyn. Corrected listing:, American side is Yoshon, 
including the noodles and pasta, but excluding the egg rolls, hamburger and 
frankfurter buns and some fancy cakes. Under the Yoshon hashgocho of 
Kehilah Kashrus. On the Chinese side, nothing (even flour) is Yoshon.
Gourmet on the Bay, Brooklyn, Corrected listing. Nothing is guaranteed to 
be Yoshon, unless requested from the offices of Kehilah Kashrus.
Kol Tuv Restaurant, 118 Route 59, Monsey. All baked goods are Yoshon under 
the hashgocho of Rav Gruber.
Mendelson’s Pizza, 4418 18th Ave., Brooklyn. All items, including the 
frozen pizza, are Yoshon under the hashgocho of the O-U.
Strauss Bakery, 5209 13th Ave., Brooklyn, (718-851-7728). All items are 
Yoshon, including the apple strudel. Under the Yoshon hashgocho of the O-U.

FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS YOSHON WITHOUT HASHGOCHO FOR YOSHON

NOTE: The following establishments, we believe, have reliable supervision 
for kashrus. However, the kashrus supervision does not take responsibility 
for Yoshon. Therefore, these, from the Yoshon point of view, may be less 
preferred than those establishments where a qualified mashgiach checks the 
ongoing arrangements for Yoshon, such as the establishments listed above, 
or listed in italic print in the Guide.
Circa-NY Restaurant, West 33rd St, New York, NY. Only a few items are 
Yoshon. Caution is