[Avodah] Kosher meat products regularly bear the OU symbol with the word “Glatt”. What does this mean?

[Professor L. Levine via Avodah]

>From today's OU Kosher Halacha Yomis


Q. Kosher meat products regularly bear the OU symbol with the word “Glatt”. What does this mean, and would the product still be kosher if it isn’t Glatt?


A. The Talmud (Chullin 42a) delineates a number of physical defects that an animal may have which would render it treif. The most common of these is a punctured lung. Additionally, lungs often have adhesions which could indicate that there is a rupture in the lung, or it could lead to the development of one. Because of the prevalence of this defect, the Talmud mandates that every lung be checked for abnormalities (Rashba Chullin 9a). There are many types of adhesions, and each must be tested and evaluated before the animal can be declared kosher. The type of tests to be carried out are a subject of debate between the Shulchan Aruch and the Rama (Y.D. 39:13). While the Rama does record some customary leniencies that the Shulchan Aruch disapproves of, Rama himself expresses some hesitation in the prevailing custom to be lenient.

Meat of an animal which is found not to have adhesions which require these questionable assessments is called “Glatt” – Yiddish for smooth, an indication to the condition of the lung. Others, which have been subjected to these assessments, are called “Kosher”.

Because of Rama’s hesitation, and in order to satisfy glatt kosher consumers, the OU only certifies Glatt Kosher meat.

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This explanation does not deal with the fact that one sees the word "Glatt" on poultry.  As I understand it,  there is no such think as Glatt poultry.

I have been in touch with someone at the OU who told me that is you look carefully,  you will see that the word Glatt is not part of the OU kashrus symbol on poultry.  The poultry companies put this on the labels.

Several years ago I spoke to the head mashgiach at Empire poultry and asked him about the word Glatt that is on their labels. When I pointed out to him that there is no such thing as Glatt poultry,  He readily agreed.  Then he said, "What can we do?  When we did not have the word Glatt on the label people called up and asked if our poultry was really kosher, since it did not say Glatt on the label.  So we now put Glatt on the label."


Isn't there a saying, "The Olam is a golem"?


YL


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