Comments on: R’ Heinemann Recap, Part 1

By: Esther

Esther — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 20:37:27 +0000

Interesting conversation….I found this site during a google search. I had read several NYT articles about supposedly food-grade additives produced in China that killed children who had a particular additive in their cough medicine. The article described the difficulty tracing back to the manufacturer particularly in China, that some companied purchased in China then re-sold the product to make it more difficult to trace back.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/06/world/americas/06poison.html?ex=1183262400&en=97251ec066e6d401&ei=5070

In my mind the only authority I would trust right now to oversee food production in China are those giving Kosher certification!

So I am hoping that some of my favorite canned imports will either be certified or an equivalent will be produced outside of China.

By: Craig Winchell

Craig Winchell — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 05:36:37 +0000

BS”D

We use a food grade detergent, Environne’ Fruit & Vegetable Wash, whixh is hechshered. It is considered safe, at least by the company that makes it- don’t know that there’s ever been any 3rd party health studies- but it’s “100% natural”, and we figure it’s better than dishwashing liquid.

By: Kosher Critic

Kosher Critic — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 22:27:18 +0000

Regarding the Star-K’s (and the OU’s) new protocol for strawberries, it bears noting the both the FDA and the USDA warn against washing fruits in dishwashing detergent/soap as the fruits may absorb potentially unsafe chemicals. Are these policies just an example of shomer pasaim Hashem?

By: jabbett

jabbett — Thu, 10 May 2007 13:23:53 +0000

And there was much rejoicing!

By: Yehuda

Yehuda — Thu, 10 May 2007 03:06:10 +0000

Okay, mea culpa. I love the Kosher Blog; and I’m a member of the observant, Kosher world! Thanks for the revision, and in exchange I offer my apology and a commitment to cleaner language.

By: jabbett

jabbett — Wed, 09 May 2007 19:35:17 +0000

It's funny how coincidences happen... this week's Rav Kook D'var Torah discusses conflicting opinions between the Ridbaz and Rav Kook regarding the sale of land during a Shemittah year.

By: jabbett

jabbett — Wed, 09 May 2007 14:44:44 +0000

Accusing the Kosher Blog of being “racist” is certainly directed “at the reporter,” and it’s just the kind of “inflammatory rhetoric” that we all ought to avoid. (Is it more constructive to employ unsubstantiated vagueries against not just Rabbi Heinemann, but the entire “kosher world”? Suggesting “unfortunate tendencies” which are “not uncommon” perpetrated by “observant Jews” makes me uncomfortable.)

I’m not an unreasonable fellow, and in the interest of mending fences and simply bringing this thread to a comfortable conclusion, I’ve changed the verbiage in my post. The essence is that the business culture in China does indeed present difficulties. In fact, I believe what was said was actually positive: while I’m sure the Star-K has no problem rejecting companies over their unkosher practices, working in China is an expensive endeavor, and they want to make the most of their financial outlay. Despite these difficulties, the Star-K continues to reach out to Chinese industry, certify their products, and make them accessible to new markets in the US and the rest of the Jewish world. It just makes business sense on both sides for things to go smoothly.

As a final note, please enjoy this news piece about Jack Ma, “a forward-looking entrepreneur with the ambitious goal of changing China’s corporate culture,” whose employees are “are drilled in the company values of integrity, honesty, passion and teamwork.”

By: Yehuda

Yehuda — Tue, 08 May 2007 14:42:19 +0000

Let me clarify my position, which was directed much more to the content of the notes than to the reporter…
I guess I wonder what is gained from a broad critique of Chinese business culture as part of a discussion of Kashrut, especially when the entire premise of the Kashrut industry is one of supervision. Why not just not give supervision to companies that are not up to par and end with that? Its not that I am a Sinophile, but I suspect that this route of blaming “Chinese business culture” as the reason for kashrut failings stems from what I see as an unfortunate tendency in the Kosher world to play up a general outlook of “us” vs. “them.” Ne’emanut – the ability to trust non-Jews in the preparation of kosher food – is just one factor among many in determining reliability, but it is not uncommon to hear it assumed as the most significant criterion in kashrut status. I think this is attributable more to a cultural/ideological stance by observant Jews than to anything else; and when it gets folded into specific accusations against a broad business culture, it makes me uncomfortable. I would be perfectly happy for suspicious Chinese companies to not get supervision, and I won’t buy their stuff; the same goes for suspicious American companies. Does the inflammatory rhetoric really contribute to the conversation?

By: Isaac

Isaac — Mon, 07 May 2007 12:48:34 +0000

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/07/opinion/07mon2.html

By: Yaakov

Yaakov — Thu, 03 May 2007 19:30:42 +0000

@jabbet – Thanks for amending the text above to make it clear that this is not the only custom in Jerusalem.

@Yehuda – “all Arabs are murderers.“. Where did I make this statement above? Saying that members of the Arab farming industry and those who benefit from their economic gains support the murder of Jews is not some made up racist propaganda. It is based on the events in Israel over the past century in general, and the past 5 years in particular.

And just because it may not sound politically correct to say that some level of deception is considered acceptable within Chinese industry does not make it untrue or racist. Do you really think that the Rabbis who travel there make up these allegations because they are all racists, they think that the Chinese are all liars and despite having no reason to do so, want to sabotage any kosher products originating from within China, because of these racist feelings?