[Avodah] OU Aluminum Foil - necessary or just plain marketing? Cukes)

[Micha Berger]

R. Akiva Miller wrote on Areivim:
> I presume that the OU [on cucumbers or potatoes] means the same thing
> as when it appears on a roll of aluminum foil...

According to the person at the OU who actually was going to Reynolds some
10-15 years ago:

Aluminum foil is generally greased with an edible grease to go through
the rollers. Flattening metal creates a LOT of heat, so it needs greasing,
however they found that after the metal goes through, there is still a
small amount of oil that didn't burn off.

So, they're intentionally putting an edible product on the foil knowing
it will get into people's food.

Ad kan my memory of his explanation. -------------------------------------

This makes it a bitul lechatkhilah, like a wide range of kashrus
issues. Halachically it is allowed if done by non-Jews for primarily
non-Jews, but considered "garua'", and should be avoided if possible.
Like if they willingly bring in a hekhsher.

Or if their competitor did... With kosher aluminum foil on the market,
it may require she'as hadechaq / hefsed merubah to rely on one where
the grease is batel beshishim.

Also a problem once the hekhsher does come in, because now you know the
maker is thinking about the minority of consumers who are Jewish.

Yet another case where the existence of the kashrus industry meant that
we needed to use them.

:-)BBii!
-Micha

-- 
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