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Below is the recent Star-K post regarding checking for bugs in fish. It
is from
<a href="http://star-k.org/cons-vegdetail.php?ID=74" eudora="autourl">
http://star-k.org/cons-vegdetail.php?ID=74<br><br>
</a>I found the listing under "<font size=3>only the variety of fish
found on the following list may be used without any need for
inspection" </font>of gefilte fish and minced fish sticks
surprising. <font size=3> After all, one could conceivably use some
of the varieties of fish listed under "should NOT be used" in
the making of gefilte fish and/or minced fish. Indeed, A & B sells
(or at least did sell) salmon gefilte fish. See
<a href="http://www.gefiltefish.com/product.asp?id=1&subid=58&productID=445" eudora="autourl">
http://www.gefiltefish.com/product.asp?id=1&subid=58&productID=445</a>
<br><br>
Presumably the fact that the fish is ground up and therefore the worms
are also ground up is why the Star-K lists gefilte fish and minced fish
as being OK, no matter what kind of fish these products are made from.
IIRC, there was something about pureeing strawberries that might be bug
infested and then using them.<br><br>
I am not sure exactly how grinding or pureeing works halachically so that
one may use the result. True, one can no longer see the worms or bugs,
but why is one allowed to do this l'chatchila? Is it not being
mevatel an issur up front? <br><br>
YL<br><br>
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<font size=3>Fish<br><br>
Checking Instructions<br><br>
Please note the following regarding all Star-K insect checking
instructions: When applicable, guidelines apply to produce grown and
purchased in the United States. Checking procedures in other countries
may be different.<br><br>
May 18, 2010 <br><br>
Recently there has been much discussion about the fish worms called
Anisakis. These worms/parasites have been found in certain species of
fish. Some Gedolei Eretz Yisroel have ruled that these worms are
halachically prohibited and, therefore, those species of fish must be
inspected prior to use. Since we at Star-K strive to have our kosher
certified products accepted by all kosher consumers, Rabbi Moshe
Heinemann has instructed Star-K establishments and mashgichim that only
the non-problematic fish be used. Until we issue policies and procedures
for inspections (as we have for vegetables and fruit) the problematic
species of fish - fresh, frozen or canned - will not be used, even with
kosher certification (unless prior approval is given by Star-K.)<br><br>
Rabbi Heinemann recommends that consumers follow the same policy.
Therefore, only non-problematic fish should be used until guidelines for
inspection are issued. As with all halachic issues, people should follow
the guidance of their personal Rav.<br><br>
Updates will be posted on this site.<br><br>
Policy<br><br>
The following lists are based on research by
<a href="http://www.kehilasyaakov.org/Fish.html">Rabbi Gershon Bess</a>.
Note: Please READ CAREFULLY since there are some species of fish that
appear on both lists. Their acceptability or non-acceptability depends on
where they originate. We have no information about fish not included on
this list.<br><br>
Until further notice, only the variety of fish found on the following
list may be used without any need for inspection:
<ul>
<li>Carp
<li>Flounder - Only Fluke, Georgia Banks, Channel
<li>Gefilte Fish
<li>Herring fillet
<li>Lox - Farm Raised [if wild, would state "wild”]
<li>Minced Fish Sticks
<li>Pike
<li>Pollock - Atlantic
<li>Red Snapper - Eastern or Atlantic only
<li>Salmon - Farm Raised (e.g. Atlantic, Norwegian, Chilean, New Zealand,
British Columbia )
<li>Sardines - from Morocco, Philippines, Portugal
<li>Sea Bass – Striped Bass, Grouper (Mexican), Blue Nose (New Zealand)
<li>Tilapia
<li>Trout
<li>Tuna
<li>Whitefish - Michigan-Lake Superior
<li>Whiting
</ul><br>
Until we issue policies and procedures for inspections (as we have for
vegetables and fruit) the following species of fish (fresh, frozen or
canned) should NOT be used (even with kosher certification):
<ul>
<li>Butterfish
<li>Cod - Scrod, Hake
<li>Flounder - Yellow Tail, Wild Dabs, Black Backs, Turbot, Yellow Fin
Sole
<li>Halibut
<li>Pollack – Alaskan – Fillet fish sticks or patties
<li>Red Perch
<li>Red Snapper - Pacific
<li>Sable a.k.a Black Cod - including Smoked
<li>Salmon, Wild - Fresh/Frozen/Canned – All types
<li>Sardines – Norway, Scotland
<li>Sole
<li>Yellow Fin Sole </font>
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