The incredible Star-K

Home Forums Decaffeinated Coffee The incredible Star-K

Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 15 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • #608834
    popa_bar_abba
    Participant

    So I went to buy chametz hayaduah, that is beer, and there was a likely looking mixed pack of Sam Adams. But there were all sorts of new flavors. But Sam Adams is under the Star-K.

    But the Star-K for some reason after 5 odd years still hasn’t managed to get their mark on the labels consistently. But we all know that the whole plant is under their hashgacha, and they put out lists of the beers and it is all of them. So they will all be kosher.

    Except like once in a while it isn’t because it is a homebrew competition that carries the Sam Adams name and wasn’t made by them. And once there was Chocolate Bock which was made by them and was kosher and was also milchig.

    So I didn’t buy it. And I was thinking how the Star-K has really used up a lot of their credibility with this issue. So that’s why I call them incredible.

    #987563
    ☕ DaasYochid ☕
    Participant

    Why have they used up their credibility if the acceptable ones are listed?

    #987564
    ☕ DaasYochid ☕
    Participant

    Also, aren’t there some flavored ones that are problematic (not kosher)?

    #987565
    popa_bar_abba
    Participant

    Why have they used up their credibility if the acceptable ones are listed?

    They don’t update the list fast enough.

    Also, aren’t there some flavored ones that are problematic (not kosher)?

    The issues I referenced. That one time they had the homebrew competition it was not really made by Sam Adams, and the Chocolate Bock is milchig.

    #987566
    ☕ DaasYochid ☕
    Participant

    If it can say Sam Adams and be not kosher, I want to see a list (absent a symbol).

    Wasn’t there a berry flavor which wasn’t kosher?

    #987567
    Ðash®
    Participant

    In order for Sam Adams to put a Star-K on new varieties they need to get an updated certification and get their label artwork approved by the Star-K. To make uncertified varieties alongside their certified varieties they just need to use ingredients that are approved by the Star-K.

    #987568
    rabbi_dr
    Participant

    If the OU and now the Star-K are out, there are significantly fewer national products that you can eat. :-/

    #987569
    popa_bar_abba
    Participant

    In order for Sam Adams to put a Star-K on new varieties they need to get an updated certification and get their label artwork approved by the Star-K.

    I’m not telling them how to do their job. I’m just telling them to do their job.

    #987570
    ☕ DaasYochid ☕
    Participant

    Popa, their job is to make sure the products they certify are indeed kosher. If they don’t promptly publicize which ones are okay even without a printed symbol, they’re not necessarily doing themselves or the Boston Beer Co. any favors, but that’s their business.

    #987571
    popa_bar_abba
    Participant

    I’m not coming with taanos on them; I don’t hire them. I’m just trying to help them do their job.

    Sure, if they are a business, then they probably are fairly within their contractual rights to their customers (the companies who hire them).

    But if they view themselves as a public service, and they view their interests as advancing public kashrus observance–I think they’re being a little shortsighted and irresponsible.

    The fact is that when they announce that they are certifying a company, and that the stuff is good without a hechsher on it, and put out lists of the stuff which includes everything, and we all know it is made in the same plants–people start using all of it. That’s just how it happens, for better or worse.

    If they think they cannot adequately administer such a situation– perhaps by ensuring there are no exceptions, or by making timely lists so that people won’t rely without a list–then fine. But if they cannot, or don’t want to, they should not allow such situations to arise.

    It’s all just about the interests they are trying to advance. If the interest is kashrus, they should care about the real results, and not just about “patturing themselves.”

    #987572
    popa_bar_abba
    Participant

    I just bought a new variety pack. Probably like half of them have pig fat in it. I suppose I’ll have to call these irresponsible twits and ask.

    #987573
    rebdoniel
    Member

    This is unrelated, but is a gripe I have with labeling.

    Some products with only a K really do have rabbinical oversight (whether these rabbis are “accepted” is a different matter). Instead of the public having to research this, the company might as well just get an OU or a Kof K or one of the mainstream hashgachos to improve the bottom line.

    #987574
    LevAryeh
    Member

    All goyim put goyishe treifah pig ham fat pork in yiddishe kosher food.

    #987575
    akuperma
    Participant

    Star-K does not give a hecksher to anything milkig unless it is Halav Yisrael.

    The problem with “list” kashrus is policies can change relative to the list. That’s why many people strongly prefer to see a hecksher symbol on the product. Under American law, the company’s can (and do) force the recall of an authorized hecksher, but have no control over an unauthorized or dates use of a company’s trademark.

    #987576
    yehudayona
    Participant

    RD, I don’t know if it’s still true, but years ago Kraft used a K on some products that were under a widely accepted mainstream hashgacha (maybe the OK?). Kellogg’s uses (or used) a K on cereals that are under the VHM (Vaad of MA). I think it’s odd that a company that’s based in Michigan uses a Massachusetts hashgacha.

Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 15 total)
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.