Ogdensburg, NY - State Shuts Down Kosher Cheese Plant Due to Bacteria |
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Ahava kosher productsOgdensburg, NY - The state agriculture department has shut down a troubled kosher cheese plant near New York’s northern border.
The action Friday was based on inspection of the Ahava plant and samples of its products, which showed excessive levels of bacteria.
State inspectors have seized more than 25,000 pounds of cheese found unfit for human consumption.
Ahava only sold its products in bulk. State officials said they were trying to determine if any retail outlets had received unsafe Ahava products.
Earlier this month, the city of Ogdensburg started seeking potential buyers for the kosher cheese operation because the company reportedly owes the city $90,000 in back rent and more than $600,000 in delinquent utility payments.
The city had notified the company it would be evicted March 10th if the bills weren’t paid. The company reponded that it wouldn’t contest the lease termination.
Ahava filed for bankruptcy protection last year but its petition was rejected.
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1
Feb 21, 2009 at 09:17 PM cheese Says:Report as Inappropriate
Oy Vey what will be with the prices on kosher milk products now pesach is coming soon hutz rachmunis
2
Feb 21, 2009 at 09:03 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
so how are we going to know if we have any of those cheese in our fridge?
3
Feb 21, 2009 at 09:24 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
Oh No Please,
Not the cheese,
it was more then enough the peanut butter stupiasco.
4
Feb 21, 2009 at 10:13 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
I think it is time to use Rav Moshe's heter and go back to Chalv Stam
5
Feb 21, 2009 at 09:46 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
First kosher meat industry now the kosher cheese and milk industry what next? What are our children going to eat?
6
Feb 21, 2009 at 09:36 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ so how are we going to know if we have any of those cheese in our fridge? ”
If you or your yinglach get sick from eating cheese, you will know. This is a really troubling development with all the recent news about other foods with hashgacha, wherer the machgichim turn a blind eye to obvious sources of contamination.
7
Feb 21, 2009 at 10:38 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ I think it is time to use Rav Moshe's heter and go back to Chalv Stam ”
please elaborate?
8
Feb 21, 2009 at 10:34 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
another rubashkin copycat . hope they find more companies out there who are trying to poison us just to make a few bux, and shut them down for good .
9
Feb 21, 2009 at 10:28 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ First kosher meat industry now the kosher cheese and milk industry what next? What are our children going to eat? ”
Yiddin should seriously explore cutting back on or eliminating all meat and dairy prouducts and giving only vegetarian foods to their families....the rabbbonim have increasinlgy been telling their followers to not eat meat and go vegetarian to makayem the big mitzvah of vegetaianism.
10
Feb 21, 2009 at 10:51 PM Kashrus is the REAL Issue Says:Report as Inappropriate
Kol Hamechalel Shem Shamoayim Baseser, his shame goes on Display via Other (Government) Means.
It's time that we look in to hidden Kashrus Issues that is the cause of the Meat and Milk government scandals.
11
Feb 21, 2009 at 10:59 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
which company does the name of the cheese sell under?
12
Feb 21, 2009 at 11:24 PM no??? Says:Report as Inappropriate
How come no nonsensical Fed or PETA conspirarcy comments a la Rubashkin??
13
Feb 21, 2009 at 11:20 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ which company does the name of the cheese sell under? ”
ahava cheese
14
Feb 21, 2009 at 11:42 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
this is ahava morning select kahal golan slim u
15
Feb 21, 2009 at 11:37 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Yiddin should seriously explore cutting back on or eliminating all meat and dairy prouducts and giving only vegetarian foods to their families....the rabbbonim have increasinlgy been telling their followers to not eat meat and go vegetarian to makayem the big mitzvah of vegetaianism. ”
Which "big Mitzvah" is it to be a vegetarian? Are you only completely lacking any knowledge, or are you also some left wing dumbkopf who feels that animals are the equal of people? You would be right about some people....
16
Feb 21, 2009 at 11:49 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
why become vegetarian when the rabbis tell us that so many of the vegetables are bug infested
17
Feb 22, 2009 at 12:01 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
Please note that JandJ MEHADRIN HAOLOM KINOR KOSHUR CHEESE brands are NOT produced by Ahava.
18
Feb 21, 2009 at 11:59 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
why cant satmar or bobov or new square buy the plant ? seems like it would be a good deal..
19
Feb 22, 2009 at 04:46 AM booboo Says:Report as Inappropriate
This is why Ahava was so much cheaper than Mehadrin and J&J!
20
Feb 22, 2009 at 04:11 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
Slim u yogurts are affected as well?? Is that what you are saying? Are they being recalled to the kosher markets that sell them & we get our money back for paying triple the price?
21
Feb 22, 2009 at 02:29 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ why become vegetarian when the rabbis tell us that so many of the vegetables are bug infested ”
...not so long ago people got sick from tainted salad. this has nothing to do with kashrus. first the govt. wants to shut them down because they owe taxes, then they find health issues. something stinks and it's not the cheese.
22
Feb 22, 2009 at 12:48 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Please note that JandJ MEHADRIN HAOLOM KINOR KOSHUR CHEESE brands are NOT produced by Ahava. ”
why are u telling us which are NOT . tell us which ARE
23
Feb 22, 2009 at 12:28 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ If you or your yinglach get sick from eating cheese, you will know. This is a really troubling development with all the recent news about other foods with hashgacha, wherer the machgichim turn a blind eye to obvious sources of contamination. ”
Mashgiachs job is to make sure that weights and measures are correct. A mashgiachs job is to make sure the ENTIRE plant is kosher, the food is kosher, the ingredients are kosher and sealed in a way where no person can maniuplate the contents until opened by the consumer.
A mashgiachs job is not to do lab work.
24
Feb 22, 2009 at 12:27 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
No one who is educated would get themselves stuck with such a lousy brand name product both in quality and in business ethics. The liability is great and futher demonstrated with the bacteria finding. This is not the first time for ahava
25
Feb 22, 2009 at 12:26 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ If you or your yinglach get sick from eating cheese, you will know. This is a really troubling development with all the recent news about other foods with hashgacha, wherer the machgichim turn a blind eye to obvious sources of contamination. ”
Stop blaming mashgichim. Your an idiot for blaming mashgichim. A mashgiach can't see bacteria. Are you a fool? Only a lab test would pick up bacteria. Mold is something the eye can see but anything else must be done under a microscope.
26
Feb 22, 2009 at 12:19 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ I think it is time to use Rav Moshe's heter and go back to Chalv Stam ”
NO WAY - if you think that the other (goyshe) plants are cleaner/better, THINK AGAIN!
27
Feb 22, 2009 at 12:03 AM robroy560 Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Which "big Mitzvah" is it to be a vegetarian? Are you only completely lacking any knowledge, or are you also some left wing dumbkopf who feels that animals are the equal of people? You would be right about some people.... ”
I must have been asleep in day school and my two years of yeshiva high school. I don't recall it's a mitzvah to be vegatarian. If that was true, why would have laws of schetita? Why would certain karbanot be eaten by us and others by the Kohanim?
I will say that I have given up on chalav Yisrael long ago. Too many spoiled products and the prices are as high or higher than non-chalav Yisrael organic. If the OU, OK or other hechsher is on the product, I don't need chalav Yisrael in America. Other countries - yes. America only allows milk from kosher animals.
Now I will say to #9 that I do substitute vegan or vegatarian products into my diet. Sometimes it is a cost savings issue. Other times it is just for variety and knowing what I'm eating. Lastly, some of the vegatarinan items allow me to make 'treif' dishes kosher. For instance, I occasionally like parve vegan 'sausages' with my egg omelette. Or, 'meat' in my lasagne or 'cheese' on my tacos.
So there's nothing wrong with getting creative with seitan, tofu, tempeh, etc. But show me where it is a mitzvah to eat that only and avoid poultry, fish and beef.
28
Feb 22, 2009 at 07:46 AM Hey PETA Vegetarians Says:Report as Inappropriate
To the above PETA vegetarian commenters:
It is a mitzvah to eat meat on Shabbos Kodesh !
There is no - I repeat no mitzvah to be a vegetarian.
In fact most vegetarians are unhealthy !!! They lack quality protein in their diets, are anemic, tired all the time, skinny and boney, gums bleed easily, have loose teeth, have bad breath, yellow pale skin, and look and often are sickly. They have much less resistance to viruses and bacterium.
Eat a tasty chicken and you will be healthy and happy and be able to work productively and learn with hasmadah !!! The chicken will be elevated with your brucha and HKBH will be happy.
B'tayavon !!!
29
Feb 22, 2009 at 08:24 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ To the above PETA vegetarian commenters:
It is a mitzvah to eat meat on Shabbos Kodesh !
There is no - I repeat no mitzvah to be a vegetarian.
In fact most vegetarians are unhealthy !!! They lack quality protein in their diets, are anemic, tired all the time, skinny and boney, gums bleed easily, have loose teeth, have bad breath, yellow pale skin, and look and often are sickly. They have much less resistance to viruses and bacterium.
Eat a tasty chicken and you will be healthy and happy and be able to work productively and learn with hasmadah !!! The chicken will be elevated with your brucha and HKBH will be happy.
B'tayavon !!! ”
While I agree it is NO mitzva to be a vegitarian, lease tell me a reference where it is said that it is a MITZVA to eat MEAT on Shabbos.
30
Feb 22, 2009 at 09:01 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ I think it is time to use Rav Moshe's heter and go back to Chalv Stam ”
By now we all know that cholov stam in our days is not only CHOLOV AKKUM, but also CHOLOV TREIFA!
And Reb Moishe z"l never gave any heter on cholov treifa.
31
Feb 22, 2009 at 09:22 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ While I agree it is NO mitzva to be a vegitarian, lease tell me a reference where it is said that it is a MITZVA to eat MEAT on Shabbos. ”
The gemora and shulchan oruch is full of mamorim on the great mitzva of eating meat on shabos, and even more on yom tov (ein simcho eloh bebosor).
Some rishonim would say that it's even a chiyuv, not only a mitzva.
Also in hilchos tvila (chatzitza) there's big issues about the mitzva of eating meat on shabos, same with nine days (shabos chazon), and more.
32
Feb 22, 2009 at 09:50 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Yiddin should seriously explore cutting back on or eliminating all meat and dairy prouducts and giving only vegetarian foods to their families....the rabbbonim have increasinlgy been telling their followers to not eat meat and go vegetarian to makayem the big mitzvah of vegetaianism. ”
You are insane vegetables have bugs. Stick to drinking water.
......Oops, forgot that also has bugs.
We will just have to wait for the shor habor (the real one, not Rubashkin) and for anyone who doesn't trust the shechita the leviyoson (not sure what kind of fish it is so can't say how to check it for bugs).
Time for a lchaim on the yayen hameshumar (not on single malt aged in sherry casks).
A freilichen purim
33
Feb 22, 2009 at 09:50 AM bais hamikdash Says:Report as Inappropriate
#9, I'd love to see you go over to the kohanim in the bais hamikdash, and all those bringing karbonos, and tell them not to eat meat. You should realize that meat is an integral part of a jewish life. The torah is proof against vegetarians.
34
Feb 22, 2009 at 10:44 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
you see, this is what happens with food, I stopped eating food a while ago, it's just not safe, now I eat Reynolds wrap, and drink bleach, its very low fat and it even has an OU.
35
Feb 22, 2009 at 11:53 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ While I agree it is NO mitzva to be a vegitarian, lease tell me a reference where it is said that it is a MITZVA to eat MEAT on Shabbos. ”
There are so many that I have no doubt that if you will take the trouble to research it before posting you will answer your own question. But here is something even a well informed person may be unaware of:
The gemora in shabbos explains that the word shecita is derived from the word which means to draw upward.
Seforim bring down that as an animal has no free will, it cannot perform mitzvos or make the world a holier place. When a hum being, on the other hand, consumes meat and does mitvos, he uplifts the animal. This is something that would otherwise be left on its unrefined state.
Thimk about it.
36
Feb 22, 2009 at 12:23 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
Please note that NON KOSHER plants are much cleaner and have extreme high standards. To #27 your statement is wrong. Today a cow in america (or anywere else) can be halachicly not kosher if it had surgery for a twisted stomach known as DA. This has been known for at least 15 years and univ have been stuying why this happens. But it is treif. I used to eat cholov stam but not anymore. With cholov yisroel and a great hechsher you know you are not eating trief.
I wonder what ahava did with there treif cows milk?????
37
Feb 22, 2009 at 11:16 AM Rebitzen Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Which "big Mitzvah" is it to be a vegetarian? Are you only completely lacking any knowledge, or are you also some left wing dumbkopf who feels that animals are the equal of people? You would be right about some people.... ”
It is a bavoosta zach that meat is unhealthy. It causes high blood pressure, heart disease, osteoporosis etc. It is probably usser midoraisa to eat meat under the guidelines of pikooach nefesh. But the Rebbe's will never admit to that because they make a mint from the hashgachas involved in production,catering,restaurants, etc.
We should all go back to the natural way of living and we would live longer and healthier. Give up meat and its by-products and endorse the Vegan way of live.
38
Feb 22, 2009 at 01:15 PM 1084 Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Yiddin should seriously explore cutting back on or eliminating all meat and dairy prouducts and giving only vegetarian foods to their families....the rabbbonim have increasinlgy been telling their followers to not eat meat and go vegetarian to makayem the big mitzvah of vegetaianism. ”
whats the rebbes name that says this
39
Feb 22, 2009 at 01:13 PM 1084 Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ I think it is time to use Rav Moshe's heter and go back to Chalv Stam ”
why there is still cholov yisrael milk ETC.
40
Feb 22, 2009 at 01:34 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ By now we all know that cholov stam in our days is not only CHOLOV AKKUM, but also CHOLOV TREIFA!
And Reb Moishe z"l never gave any heter on cholov treifa. ”
You care to tell that to his closest talmidim? They don't seem to know about your chuddish.
41
Feb 22, 2009 at 03:12 PM Another Rav Moshe Talmid Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ You care to tell that to his closest talmidim? They don't seem to know about your chuddish. ”
He is correct.
Rav Moshe's "heter" was back in the days before there was an actual kashrus problem with milk. With today's DA cows being more than 10% of the cows in each herd, with some as high as 30%, it is no longer a miut shehaino motzui and needs to be taken care of with record keeping and inspections.
So, today we may not rely on Rav Moshe's heter.
There are a few other inyonim also, but this one is enough.
The "heter" allowing the OU-D products today, written Rav Yisroel Belsky, shlita, is based on a very shvach sfake sfaka based upon:
1) MAYBE this milk was not from a DA cow
coupled with
2) MAYBE the trocar entered the kaiva as such a steep angle as to not let light in and not make a traifa. This second one has already been shot down by vets who said the trocar (giant needle about the thickness of a pencil or thicker), goes in straight and does make a significant hole, which would by all shitos render the cow traif.
We all understand the need for the OU's heter on the kashrus of milk, but most of us do not wish to drink it, or eat products containing it. The heter is at best a VERY bedayeved-type of heter.
42
Feb 22, 2009 at 02:58 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
it is clearly a big inyan to be makpid to be a strict vegetarian doesn' ushmartem es nafshosechim mean anything to you? do u not know that primary cause of heart disease is red meat? or are just truly a ignoramous?!
43
Feb 22, 2009 at 04:04 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ He is correct.
Rav Moshe's "heter" was back in the days before there was an actual kashrus problem with milk. With today's DA cows being more than 10% of the cows in each herd, with some as high as 30%, it is no longer a miut shehaino motzui and needs to be taken care of with record keeping and inspections.
So, today we may not rely on Rav Moshe's heter.
There are a few other inyonim also, but this one is enough.
The "heter" allowing the OU-D products today, written Rav Yisroel Belsky, shlita, is based on a very shvach sfake sfaka based upon:
1) MAYBE this milk was not from a DA cow
coupled with
2) MAYBE the trocar entered the kaiva as such a steep angle as to not let light in and not make a traifa. This second one has already been shot down by vets who said the trocar (giant needle about the thickness of a pencil or thicker), goes in straight and does make a significant hole, which would by all shitos render the cow traif.
We all understand the need for the OU's heter on the kashrus of milk, but most of us do not wish to drink it, or eat products containing it. The heter is at best a VERY bedayeved-type of heter. ”
I have watched the procedure. There is no question that the DA procedure of penetrating the cow from the side is done perpendicular to the cow''s side, and definately makes the cow treif. Not even a sofek at all. Someone obviously mislead Rabbi Belsky on this one. I read his teshuva with amazement. It is not based on reality.
44
Feb 22, 2009 at 07:58 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
when you want it easy you can always find a heter.
45
Feb 22, 2009 at 09:11 PM murray Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ It is a bavoosta zach that meat is unhealthy. It causes high blood pressure, heart disease, osteoporosis etc. It is probably usser midoraisa to eat meat under the guidelines of pikooach nefesh. But the Rebbe's will never admit to that because they make a mint from the hashgachas involved in production,catering,restaurants, etc.
We should all go back to the natural way of living and we would live longer and healthier. Give up meat and its by-products and endorse the Vegan way of live. ”
Its Not popular to say it, but.....being a meat eater is more unhealthy than smoking cigarettes. This is a known fact.
46
Feb 23, 2009 at 12:29 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Its Not popular to say it, but.....being a meat eater is more unhealthy than smoking cigarettes. This is a known fact. ”
It is nonesense like your comment that makes it easy for people to ignore alll health warnings as being the colorful rantings of minds twisted by too much green and not enough red.
47
Feb 23, 2009 at 12:27 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ when you want it easy you can always find a heter. ”
True. If one prefers to take it easy and remain an ahm ha'aretz so he can look down on others for following Rav Moshe's shitas, instead of learning a little bit and seeing that Rav Moshe a"h knew what he was talking about, not only can one can find a heter to do so, one can even feel frum about it too!
48
Feb 23, 2009 at 08:12 AM matzahlocal101 Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ You care to tell that to his closest talmidim? They don't seem to know about your chuddish. ”
then they must have missed out on the gemara and shulchan Oruch that says a hole in the stomach makes it a treifa. Those injections that you haven't heard about? Guess where they go.
49
Feb 23, 2009 at 08:10 AM matzahlocal101 Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ #9, I'd love to see you go over to the kohanim in the bais hamikdash, and all those bringing karbonos, and tell them not to eat meat. You should realize that meat is an integral part of a jewish life. The torah is proof against vegetarians. ”
The rambam says there was a special doctor to take care of the Kohanim because they were always sick from walking barefoot on the cold floor and eating too much meat.
50
Feb 23, 2009 at 09:30 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
why isnt this posted in the stores and pulled from shelves then. what will be next? maybe everyone should just eat cholov stam. cheaper and families wouldnt have to be in welfare then and get more then they need. scam the govt for those who really need welfare.
51
Feb 23, 2009 at 09:35 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ To the above PETA vegetarian commenters:
It is a mitzvah to eat meat on Shabbos Kodesh !
There is no - I repeat no mitzvah to be a vegetarian.
In fact most vegetarians are unhealthy !!! They lack quality protein in their diets, are anemic, tired all the time, skinny and boney, gums bleed easily, have loose teeth, have bad breath, yellow pale skin, and look and often are sickly. They have much less resistance to viruses and bacterium.
Eat a tasty chicken and you will be healthy and happy and be able to work productively and learn with hasmadah !!! The chicken will be elevated with your brucha and HKBH will be happy.
B'tayavon !!! ”
so not true about vegertarian being skinny & boney. meat isnt so healthy and for sure smoking is totally not healthy and putting others in danger with 2nd hand smoke
52
Feb 23, 2009 at 11:38 AM Milhouse Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ The rambam says there was a special doctor to take care of the Kohanim because they were always sick from walking barefoot on the cold floor and eating too much meat. ”
Exactly. So the answer is to get a doctor. Note that nobody came up with this chocmah that they shouldn't eat the meat.
53
Feb 23, 2009 at 11:36 AM Milhouse Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ it is clearly a big inyan to be makpid to be a strict vegetarian doesn' ushmartem es nafshosechim mean anything to you? do u not know that primary cause of heart disease is red meat? or are just truly a ignoramous?! ”
No, you're the ignoramus, which is why you're a vegetarian, because am ho'oretz ossur le'echol bosor.
There is nothing natural or healthy about a vegetarian diet. Humans are omnivores and it is against our nature not to eat meat. Also one cannot learn Torah aliba dehlichesa without red meat (Bava Kama 72a). And of course most people, who enjoy meat, are required to eat it for oneg shabbos; only those who truly don't like meat are exempt. But an am ho'oretz is not allowed, so you're quite right to avoid it.
As for red meat's alleged unhealthiness, even if we concede that, what about poultry and fish? What sort of illogic gets you from avoiding red meat into vegetarianism? Probably the sort of illogic that is caused by not eating red meat, as the gemara says.