In the July issue of Kashrus Monthly, to be released next week, Rabbi Yosef Wikler, Shlita, Editor of Kashrus Magazine, provides this shocking update on strawberries.
Based on information provided by leading kashrus experts in the field, there are currently extremely high levels of thrip infestation in strawberries originating from many areas of the world, including the United States and Canada. Very recent research has shown that the common washing systems currently in place are inadequate in ridding the strawberries of thrips and thrips larvae. As a result, a number of kashrus organizations in the USA and Canada have disallowed use of strawberries.
Some allow their use, but require superhuman, very time-consuming and cumbersome efforts, making it virtually impossible for an average person (i.e.,not an expert checker) to guarantee that they have sufficiently cleaned their strawberries. Likewise, restaurants and caterers using strawberries may be shifting to using shaved berries. Consumers will wish to know how strawberries are being prepared at a given establishment.
The mashgiach at one of the largest Shuls in America told that the following happened just this past Shabbos at his shul:
On Friday morning, our caterer was preparing for a Kiddush. In our usual strict manner, our strawberries were soaked twice in a soapy solution and then were rinsed in a strong rinse one-by-one. Beautiful fruit platters were then made with these strawberries–luscious-looking, best-quality Driscoll strawberries from California . Before the Kiddush, I decided to pick up a strawberry from a platter and take a look at it. To my surprise and consternation, I saw a little thrip taking a walk across the belly of the strawberry. I took the entire tray out, and, surrounded by viewers which included the non-Jewish Mexican helpers, we were stunned together to view these super-cleaned strawberries with thrip after thrip roaming about. What is particularly disturbing is that I believe (although I am not sure), that strawberries are among the most insecticide-sprayed fruits, yet this still occurred on these very, very well-washed berries…
Stay tuned
bs’d
Thank you so much for letting us know about this, Rabbi Rich!
I must agree with Mrs. Taurog
DOES THIS INCLUDE THE USE OF FROZEN STRAWBERRIES?
Good question, Ina. Frozen strawberries are fine.
Dear Rabbi Rich – thanks for a good description of the strawberry problem. I am in the medical field and have some understanding of entomology and pharmacology. I have done quite a bit of research into the problem and also spoke to an entomologist and it seems I may have some information useful to potentially solving this problem. Could you suggest a truly professional kashrus ‘laboratory’ and the relevant authority with whom I should share my information so that it could be tried? Many thanks, greetings from Johannesburg, South Africa
Yasher Koach, Rabbi !
Rav Avrohom Blumenkrantz zt”l has been empahsizing the avoidance of strawberries for some time, in his book, for this very reason.
Keep up the good work!
Thanks for this important information. It’s amazing. What will get rid of these bugs?I’ve been washing with soap for a while now, but if even that doesn’t help – no more strawberries!