Bugs Archives - AskTheRav

How to check Corn on the Cob

Question: Can corn on the cob be grilled and eaten without checking for bugs or is there a way that it needs to be checked for bugs? Answer:…

When is relying on a Chazakah for checking vegetables reliable?

Generally, the concept of chazakah for infestation applies in the reverse: once three insects have been found, the entire unit is assumed to be infested. Furthermore, even if infestation…

Can Kids Check Eggs for Blood Spots?

Question: My kids under Bar/Bas Mitzvah, know how to make themselves fried eggs or other simple things in the kitchen, are they allowed to check the eggs themselves? If…

Can I eat from vegetables that weren’t checked from bugs before being cooked?

Questions: If I cooked vegetables that weren't checked from bugs (like celery or Broccoli or cabbage) can I eat from: the soup? the actual vegetable? if the vegetable was…

If you peel off the ‘tunnels’ from celery (basically if you peel off the outside) is it then OK to eat?

Yes, you may eat the peels stalks as long as you check well with a light that there are no leaf-miner trails tunnels, or holes. If a trail is spotted,…

האם חומוס ב‏קופסת שימורים צריך בישול ישראל ‏או שמספיק רק הכשר?

בארץ חייבים לקנות רק עם הכשר למהדרין, המקפיד שיהא בישול ישראל. בחו"ל יש להקפיד לקנות רק באופן שבטוח שהוא בישול ישראל. אם הדבר בלתי אפשרי, יש המתירים לקנות עם…

Do we need to wait three years till we can eat berries off planted berry bushes?

Raspberry: Since there is a Halachic doubt if it comes from a species which is considered a tree - and thus its Brocha is Hoadomo - it may be…

Do filter bags need to have a Hechsher since they are going into soups?

The filter bags don't need to be kosher but you must be sure that no bugs can leave the bag. As for the idea of using such bags to…

Does a light box (used for checking lettuce) require Tevilla?

No. Sources: שהרי אינו מכשיר האוכל. והוא רק לתועלת ראיית האדם. ומעיקר הדין, גם כיסוי הפת א״צ טבילה שאינו משמש להפת. וכש״כ בכגון דא. ואף למ״ד שמשפך צריך…

What’s the correct way to check cabbage?

Here are two methods: Method 1: 1. Remove the four outer leaves and discard them. 2. Check the outside of the head. If there is a hole that penetrates into…

I cooked rice in a pot. After, I found whole bugs in the cooked rice. I threw out the rice. Do I have to kasher the pot?

No. Sources: שו"ת הרשב"א ח"א קא. שו״ע ורמ״א קז, ב. ש״ך שם ז. פמ״ג קג במ״ז ו. וגם לדעת הצ״צ יו״ד סג שתולעים שגדלים מגוף הפרי נו״ט לשבח.…

Are the Chanterelle Mushrooms kosher? How are they to be checked for bugs?

Chanterelle Mushrooms are kosher. I am not familiar with a specific method to check these mushrooms for worms (which is very common in this type of mushrooms). It is…

Is it true that quinoa is (currently) infested with worms that are microscopic?

There are different brands of quinoa and different standards in terms of quality. Quinoa in general is not known to be an infested grain. However, this depends on season,…

There is a new way of checking for bugs that I heard about it, using the thrip cloth. According to Lubavitcher Rabbanim, is that an acceptable way to check for bugs and can replace checking every leaf of herbs etc?

Asktherav.com strongly encourages the use of the thrip cloth or shmate method but recommends doing sample checking the regular way too. ראה מש״כ ח״א בקובץ עץ חיים באבוב…

What filter to remove the copepods in the water is recommended for a Crown Heights apartment sink?

See here: Filters rated 50 microns should be fine, but best to get commercial filters that are 10-15 microns. See here: https://checkvegetables.com/new-york-city-water/ #4266

Do frozen fruit, like strawberries, blueberries or bananas need a Hechsher? What about frozen vegetables that their sole “ingredient” is the vegetable?

In general terms, frozen fruit or vegetables with no additives may be eaten without a Hechsher, provided they are not from Eretz Yisroel or China, and provided there is…

Can one rely on a Goy to check lettuce for bugs?

No. See here about trusting a child, l'havdil. #4036

Am I allowed to fill up a Brita filter pitcher on Shabbos?

It depends what the purpose of filtering is. If it is in order to have cleaner water and one is not highly sensitive to the regular water (איסטניס) -…

Can I cook a whole garlic head without peeling it at all? I am concerned that there may be bugs by the root. And if permitted what would be the procedure to clean it to be able to do so?

You may not, as garlic must be checked since it is sometimes infested. The peels have insects, but the cloves, though, are generally clean. Therefore the peels should be…

I see chopped kale without a Hechsher sold in some kosher supermarkets. Is this OK to buy?

Not at all. Kale is heavily infested and must be checked. Method of checking: 1. Soak the leaves in a solution of dish-washing liquid and water. Allow to soak for…