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<font size=3>There are those who maintain that one can determine the
kashrus of a product by simply reading the ingredients listed on its
label. Rav Y. Belsky holds that this is not the case in the
situations he deals with below.<br><br>
The following is from the book <b>Halachic Responsa from the Desk of
Hagaon Harav Yisroel HaLevi Belsky, shlita</b>. I think that it is clear
from what he writes below that he paskens that one should not in general
rely on the list of ingredients on a label, but stick as much as possible
to products that have reliable hashgachos. However, according to
Rav Belsky, sugar is one product that does not need supervision.
YL<br><br>
Pages 86 - 87<br><br>
<div align="center"> <b>FOOD COLORINGS<br>
</div>
Do all products containing food colorings require proper kosher
certification? <br>
<div align="center">ANSWER <br>
</b></div>
Any product containing food colorings, even in small amounts, is
potentially problematic. The Pri Megadim 17 maintains that if food
contains a non-kosher ingredient that was less that one-sixtieth of the
total volume, and would ordinarily be nullified <i>(batul) </i>by virtue
of taste, it would still not be considered batul if it imparts color to
the food <i>(chazusah d'tarfus)</i>, and the mixture would be forbidden
for consumption.<br><br>
By purchasing only those products with proper kosher certification, one
may be assured that all ingredients, including the colorings, are
scrutinized to ensure their permissibility, When inspecting a product for
certification, a kashrus agency will be on the lookout for specific food
colorings that are known to be non-kosher and are therefore entirely
unacceptable. <br><br>
Carmine red: A bright red food coloring known as carmine is made from
crushed beetles, and is, of course, non-kosher. Carmine can be
distinguished from other red dyes because its color does not dissolve or
run, and is a very bright red color. Maraschino cherries are usually
colored by a cheaper variety of dye that can be identified by the
telltale ring of red dye in the surrounding food. In contrast,
fruit-cocktail cherries dyed with carmine will never leave any mark on
adjacent food. Despite this difference, no one should judge for himself
whether or not the red coloring is kosher. Hashgachah is required.
<br><br>
Enocianina: There is also a brownish-purple food coloring, known as
enocianina, which is mainly produced in Italy. It is a forbidden
derivative of the grape skins used in manufacturing non-kosher wine.
<br><br>
Other food dyes: 'The above dyes are used to produce red, purple, and
brown colored food products. Any product containing these colors is
therefore suspect. Other food dyes and colorings are usually kosher, and
do not generally pose kashrus issues. <br><br>
Some people are under the impression that natural coloring is kosher and
that the only problem is with artificial coloring. This argument
can be easily refuted by pointing out that beetles, cows and grapes are
all completely natural. <br><br>
From pages 104 -105<br><br>
<dl>
<dd><b>CHECKING PRODUCT LABELS
<dd>
</dl>Can a person assume that packaged products usually bearing a kosher
symbol, are kosher even without the symbol on the package? <br><br>
<dl>
<dl>
<dl>
<dl>
<dd>ANSWER
</dl>
</dl>
</dl>
</dl>Non-kosher runs: </b>If the package does not have a kosher symbol,
it was not made under supervision. The kosher consumer must always beware
of changes in supermarket products. Even familiar products known to bear
a kosher symbol can sometimes appear in anon-kosher variety, without the
tell-tale kosher symbol on the label. While no supervising agency should
allow a company to market a non-kosher batch of a usually kosher product,
the consumer must keep in mind that things like this do happen
inadvertently from time to time.<br>
<br>
<b>Different varieties: </b>A different problem, one that rests squarely
upon the shoulders of the consumer, is the appearance of a new version or
flavor of a familiar product. While the old versions might have kosher
certification, there is no reason to assume that something new is also
certified. Therefore, any new product must be scrupulously examined for
kashrus before being served. Only after it is clear that the
package bears a reliable kosher symbol should the consumer
allow himself to partake of the new item. <br><br>
The following from page 105 of this sefer deals with the question of the
kashrus of sugar.<br><br>
<div align="center"><b>SUGAR <br>
</div>
Is it true that plain sugar needs no kosher supervision? Does this also
apply to the small, unlabeled packets of sugar available in hotels and
restaurants? <br><br>
<div align="center">ANSWER<br>
</b> <br>
</div>
All regular white sugar is produced using processes that are standard
throughout the industry, and there are no additives. There is no need for
kosher supervision for year-round use. Even small, unlabeled packets are
fine. <br><br>
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