[Avodah] Why olive oil needs a hechsher

[martin brody]

On Sun, Feb 26, 2012 at 11:10 PM, SBA <sba at sba2.com> wrote [to Areivim -mb]:
> From: martin brody < >
>> Though I strongly doubt that Adam's revelation is as he says it is, Halacha
>> long ago dealt with such issues. See, R. Pesach Frank, Aruch Ha Shulkan,
>> R. Elyashev and many others.

> Can you give us exact sources.

> I only quote the LBD reference because I'm fairly certain that if such
> things still exist, as Adam claims, that they
> are aware of it and still permit it.

> From my brother (a Mashgiach with Kedassia)

>> The LBD only allow all vege oils in the U.K., because there are no vege oil
>> plants sharing with tallow.
>> However, in places such as Australia-where most oil is produced on tallow
>> lines-they would not allow, as per the following letter.
>> Whereas Kedassia are machmir to only allow with hechsher due to Kovush from
>> shared tankers.

> 26 Jan. '04
> Dear Reb Yisroel Abelesz

> I am writing to confirm to you that in order to be 100% sure that what I
> said was correct I have done as you requested and verified with
> the relevant people and found that it is exactly as I said to you
> over the phone yesterday:

> The London Beth Din does not certify or even approve any vegetable
> oil which is refined and deodorised in the same refinery as tallow (Chelev).

> This means that we do not approve oils that are processed on the
> same refinery and using the same steam system even if they are not
> actually processed on the same equipment. On the rare occasion
> that we do certify oils or emulsifiers etc. that are processed in
> facilities that have processed in the past tallow or other Trief
> fats we insist on Koshering the entire facility Kedass ve'Kedin
> and we also drain and change the entire boiler water to ensure
> there is no risk of 'cross-contamination' from the previous
> non-kosher productions.

> Once again I thank you for bringing this matter to my attention
> and giving me the opportunity to state our position clearly and to
> refute any rumours circulating accusing us of such a practice.

> Wishing you Kol Tuv,
> I remain sincerely yours,
>  Rabbi Akiva Padwa
> Senior Rabbinical Coordinator London Beth Din Kashrut Division

Sure. Here you go

Igros Moshe YD 1:55.

Oh and the SA YD 114:7 and the Rema's further comments. And Aruch Ha
Shulkan 114:18

Please think about this. If the LBD permit all 100% or pure vegetable
oils so labelled, then what goes on in an vegetable oil production plant
in Holland or in a container from Spain is no longer relevant.

All due respect to your brother, he is not quite correct for UK or even
Australia. I believe the KA have written on this.

R. Padwa is talking about LBD certification, not their approval policy.

The LBD even approve vegetable oil as an ingredient in canned fish
products (page 59 of The Guide) and nuts (page 76) for example, both
having blanket approvals. We recently went through this on another
product, where an LBD representative admitted he was incorrect
when it came to the LBD's actual policies and not their supervisory
policies. (Even the OU permit regular milk in their products but would
never allow non CY in their restaurants)Their book does not say only oils
processed in the UK. Nor has it ever done. I suggest R. Padwa discuss
with R.Conway.

Wishing you Kol Tuv
I remain (so far this morning, at least)
Martin Brody