Comments on: Kosher Kahlua returns (When it rains, it pours…) http://www.kosherblog.net/2006/08/27/when-it-rains-it-pours/ Finding the finer side of everyday kosher living Mon, 13 Oct 2008 20:02:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Avraham http://www.kosherblog.net/2006/08/27/when-it-rains-it-pours/#comment-3648 Avraham Mon, 14 Apr 2008 01:47:42 +0000 http://www.kosherblog.net/2006/08/27/when-it-rains-it-pours/#comment-3648 Dear & Kind People, My friend who went to medical school in Guadajara, Jalisco, Mexico(transfered up to the U.S.) went through the plant years ago & went through it before the "holier than thou" OU declared that Kahlua needed a ko$her $ymbol on it. There is nothing in the fine Kahlua beverage that is prohibited it i$ a matter of $$. The London Bet Din is most correct in its ascertion that the product is ko$her without $ign on the bottle. L'Chayim. Not KFP. Dear & Kind People,
My friend who went to medical school in Guadajara, Jalisco, Mexico(transfered up to the U.S.) went through the plant years ago & went through it before the “holier than thou” OU declared that Kahlua needed a ko$her $ymbol on it.
There is nothing in the fine Kahlua beverage that is prohibited it i$ a matter of $$. The London Bet Din is most correct in its ascertion that the product is ko$her without $ign on the bottle. L’Chayim. Not KFP.

]]> By: Milhouse http://www.kosherblog.net/2006/08/27/when-it-rains-it-pours/#comment-3647 Milhouse Tue, 09 Oct 2007 05:38:55 +0000 http://www.kosherblog.net/2006/08/27/when-it-rains-it-pours/#comment-3647 You probably can't. You probably can’t.

]]> By: malkie http://www.kosherblog.net/2006/08/27/when-it-rains-it-pours/#comment-3646 malkie Mon, 08 Oct 2007 21:13:10 +0000 http://www.kosherblog.net/2006/08/27/when-it-rains-it-pours/#comment-3646 Where can I buy kosher kahlua in the New York area or upstate N.Y area. Where can I buy kosher kahlua in the New York area or upstate N.Y area.

]]> By: nonmevushalmarc http://www.kosherblog.net/2006/08/27/when-it-rains-it-pours/#comment-3645 nonmevushalmarc Mon, 13 Aug 2007 20:09:11 +0000 http://www.kosherblog.net/2006/08/27/when-it-rains-it-pours/#comment-3645 A high level of skepticism is also warranted here, I think, since the loss of the hashgacha was, I believe, purely economic/financial and had nothing to do with the kashrut of the product itself. A high level of skepticism is also warranted here, I think, since the loss of the hashgacha was, I believe, purely economic/financial and had nothing to do with the kashrut of the product itself.

]]> By: jabbett http://www.kosherblog.net/2006/08/27/when-it-rains-it-pours/#comment-3644 jabbett Mon, 13 Aug 2007 12:18:18 +0000 http://www.kosherblog.net/2006/08/27/when-it-rains-it-pours/#comment-3644 While it's natural to be skeptical -- and I certainly am -- I think exiled2tx has more first-hand experience in the industry, and we shouldn't be so quick to dismiss the potential for actual kashrut issues. I do believe, however, that the proper response would be to explain that it's an issue of production lines, etc., rather than to be completely silent. I understand the need for confidentiality with regard to product formulations, or the makeup of a manufacturing plant, but in the post-Monsey kashrut climate, we consumers deserve a certain minimum amount of information about how these certifiers operate. I'm getting kinda tired of sitting here trying to guess why we're being yanked around, Kahlua or otherwise. While it’s natural to be skeptical — and I certainly am — I think exiled2tx has more first-hand experience in the industry, and we shouldn’t be so quick to dismiss the potential for actual kashrut issues.

I do believe, however, that the proper response would be to explain that it’s an issue of production lines, etc., rather than to be completely silent. I understand the need for confidentiality with regard to product formulations, or the makeup of a manufacturing plant, but in the post-Monsey kashrut climate, we consumers deserve a certain minimum amount of information about how these certifiers operate. I’m getting kinda tired of sitting here trying to guess why we’re being yanked around, Kahlua or otherwise.

]]> By: harlan http://www.kosherblog.net/2006/08/27/when-it-rains-it-pours/#comment-3643 harlan Mon, 13 Aug 2007 12:09:27 +0000 http://www.kosherblog.net/2006/08/27/when-it-rains-it-pours/#comment-3643 Politics is more likely. While confidentiality can indeed play a legitimate role as you suggest. In this case were your speculation of multiple production lines accurate, then it could be disclosed without concern. However, given that overt political acts undertaken in the kashrut oversight industry routinely, the inference in response to the LBD answer is quite reasonable. Politics is more likely. While confidentiality can indeed play a legitimate role as you suggest. In this case were your speculation of multiple production lines accurate, then it could be disclosed without concern. However, given that overt political acts undertaken in the kashrut oversight industry routinely, the inference in response to the LBD answer is quite reasonable.

]]> By: exiled2tx http://www.kosherblog.net/2006/08/27/when-it-rains-it-pours/#comment-3642 exiled2tx Mon, 13 Aug 2007 10:14:03 +0000 http://www.kosherblog.net/2006/08/27/when-it-rains-it-pours/#comment-3642 It is probably not politics. Many companies will not reveal details of a production process w/o a confidentiality agreement (all industries, not just food). The inspecting agency obviously needs all the details so they do it under such an agreement. (I've been involved here on the local level with some companies and we guarantee them the same). So the LBD and others should have a standard no-comment answer to the question "why". I can also see that the kahlua in the US would have been kosher but there is probably something in bottling or handling it for the US market. I remember about 20 years ago using a Carnation product that dropped its hechsher. I contacted them about it and they said that they switched production plants - nothing about the product had changed but there were other, non-kosher items being made on the equipment in the new plant. My guess is that the US receives kahlua in bulk and that the bulk trailers, tanks, bottling line, etc. is also used for a non-kosher product. It is probably not politics.

Many companies will not reveal details of a production process w/o a confidentiality agreement (all industries, not just food). The inspecting agency obviously needs all the details so they do it under such an agreement. (I’ve been involved here on the local level with some companies and we guarantee them the same). So the LBD and others should have a standard no-comment answer to the question “why”.

I can also see that the kahlua in the US would have been kosher but there is probably something in bottling or handling it for the US market. I remember about 20 years ago using a Carnation product that dropped its hechsher. I contacted them about it and they said that they switched production plants - nothing about the product had changed but there were other, non-kosher items being made on the equipment in the new plant. My guess is that the US receives kahlua in bulk and that the bulk trailers, tanks, bottling line, etc. is also used for a non-kosher product.

]]> By: DeisCane http://www.kosherblog.net/2006/08/27/when-it-rains-it-pours/#comment-3641 DeisCane Fri, 10 Aug 2007 07:07:18 +0000 http://www.kosherblog.net/2006/08/27/when-it-rains-it-pours/#comment-3641 Bingo, Harlan. Bingo, Harlan.

]]> By: harlan http://www.kosherblog.net/2006/08/27/when-it-rains-it-pours/#comment-3640 harlan Fri, 10 Aug 2007 01:01:35 +0000 http://www.kosherblog.net/2006/08/27/when-it-rains-it-pours/#comment-3640 "We cant tell you why a product is or isnt Kosher" well, isnt that contrary to the idea in the first place? Smacks of politics to me. “We cant tell you why a product is or isnt Kosher” well, isnt that contrary to the idea in the first place? Smacks of politics to me.

]]> By: Paul http://www.kosherblog.net/2006/08/27/when-it-rains-it-pours/#comment-3639 Paul Thu, 09 Aug 2007 20:17:33 +0000 http://www.kosherblog.net/2006/08/27/when-it-rains-it-pours/#comment-3639 I sent an email to LBD about their statement 'Except in the US', here is their response: For reasons of confidentiality we are unable to disclose details concerning the kosher status of products. Kind regards, Elisheva Wieder Kashrut Researcher Kashrut Division London Beth Din www.kosher.org.uk -----Original Message----- Message: In the PDF June2007.pdf, you state that all Kahlua is kosher except when purchased in the United States. What is the reason that you state it is not kosher when purchased in the United States? I sent an email to LBD about their statement ‘Except in the US’, here is their response:

For reasons of confidentiality we are unable to disclose details concerning
the kosher status of products.

Kind regards,
Elisheva Wieder
Kashrut Researcher
Kashrut Division
London Beth Din
http://www.kosher.org.uk

—–Original Message—–

Message:
In the PDF June2007.pdf, you state that all Kahlua is kosher except when
purchased in the United States. What is the reason that you state it is not
kosher when purchased in the United States?

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