Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Kashrus Controversy: Badatz Eda Charedis and the Unmonitored Wax Coating on Oranges
Edited by: TJVNews.com
A recent conference of prominent rabbis and halachic authorities in Jerusalem has sparked a heated debate regarding the kashrus certification of wax coatings on oranges. According to a report that appeared on Wednesday on the Vois Es Nais web site, a rabbi on the kashrus committee of the Badatz Eda Charedis openly admitted that their certification system does not monitor the kashrus status of these coatings. This admission has raised concerns among kosher consumers, as the certification body has approved the use of non-kosher materials under the rationale that orange peels are not typically eaten. However, the VIN News report indicated that this justification does not account for those who fry orange peels, coat them in chocolate, or use grated citrus peels in baked goods—practices that make the peel an edible component in Jewish cuisine.
The controversy has been further fueled by renowned kashrus expert Rabbi Yochanan Reichman, who has accused the kashrus committee of concealing critical kashrus information. As per the information provided in the VIN News report, Rabbi Reichman has voiced strong concerns about transparency and has drawn attention to another serious issue—the presence of scale insects on orange peels. These tiny pests, which adhere to the fruit’s outer layer, present a significant challenge for kosher consumers, as the halachos pertaining to kashrus strictly prohibit the consumption of insects.
According to the information contained in the VIN News report, the Emess site of Kol Chai reached out to Rabbi Reichman for further elaboration on the issue of scale insects. He explained that these pests, known as scale insects, have a unique biological development that makes them particularly problematic. Unlike typical insects that crawl across the surface of fruits, scale insects undergo a transformation in which they attach themselves permanently to the peel.
Rabbi Reichman provided VIN News with a detailed description of the insect’s lifecycle:
At birth, the insect is approximately 0.18 mm in size and has legs.
After hatching, it moves across the fruit’s surface for several hours, sometimes traveling up to three meters.
Once it finds a suitable resting place, it inserts a proboscis into the fruit’s peel and attaches itself permanently.
At this stage, it secretes a waxy substance from its body, forming a protective shell that allows it to develop further.
The insect eventually loses its legs and other body parts, leaving behind remnants—called exuviae—inside the peel.
VIN News also reported that tests conducted on over ten different bottles of orange juice from multiple factories and various production periods have revealed that during the summer months (Tammuz-Av), at least one scale insect or remnants (exuviae) could be found in every cup of juice. This discovery raises serious concerns about the permissibility of consuming orange juice without thorough cleaning.
The halachic response to this issue varies among rabbinic authorities. According to the information in the VIN News report, some rabbis advocate for stringent cleaning procedures, requiring that oranges be thoroughly washed with dish soap and scrubbed with a scouring pad before use. However, many leading rabbinic figures do not require any special inspection or washing, relying on the long-standing position that external insects do not impact the kosher status of the fruit.
One of the most authoritative rulings on this matter comes from the late Rabbi Yisrael Yaakov Fischer, zt”l, who served as the Rav Beit Din (Chief Rabbi of the Haredi community). The report on VIN News referenced his book “Even Yisrael,” where he discusses the laws of Tu B’Shvat and states that washing oranges is not necessary before eating or juicing them.
Despite these varying halachic opinions, the report emphasized that the revelation regarding unmonitored wax coatings and the presence of scale insects has reignited discussions about the responsibilities of kashrus agencies. Many consumers rely on the trustworthiness of certifications such as Badatz Eda Charedis, and the admission that certain aspects of fruit processing are not monitored has left some questioning the broader implications for other certified products.
As the discussion continues, the VIN News report stressed the importance of increased transparency in the kashrus industry, ensuring that consumers are fully informed about what they are eating and drinking. Whether the solution lies in more stringent regulations, consumer awareness, or a reliance on established halachic leniencies remains an ongoing debate within the kashrus community.