General Kashrus Policies

A - THRIP CLOTH METHOD - cRc recommends this method for many vegetables

Supplies
You will need a thrip-cloth, light box, large bowl, dish soap, and 2 strainers.

"Thrip-cloths" are fine silk cloths which filter insects from water; they are available for purchase from the cRc. Seventh Generation Free and Clear dish soap is a good choice for this procedure. cRc does not recommend the use of salt water or vinegar to properly remove insects from fruits and vegetables.

Procedure
1. Separate the leaves and place them into a bowl of water.

2. Put enough dish soap or kosher vegetable wash into the bowl until the water and leaves feel somewhat slippery.

3. Soak and agitate the leaves in the soapy water for 1-2 minutes.

4. Remove the leaves from the bowl and discard the water.

5. Repeat Steps #2-4. Alternatively, put the leaves in a bowl of water to soak, and wash both sides of each leaf under running water.

6. Place leaves into a bowl of fresh soapy water and agitate for 1-2 minutes.

7. Remove leaves and pour the soapy water through a thrip-cloth which is sandwiched between 2 strainers.

8. Check the cloth carefully on top of a light box. If no insects are found, rinse and enjoy. If an insect is found, repeat Steps #6-8. If insects are found after performing these procedures 3 times, the produce is overly infested and should be discarded.

Demonstration
Go to https://bit.ly/TC-Method to watch Rabbi Langer performing the thrip cloth method.

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B - SCRUB AND RINSE METHOD - cRc recommends this method as an alternative for non-organic romaine lettuce and other flat leafy greens

Supplies
You will need a bowl, dish soap, a sponge, and running water. Seventh Generation Free and Clear dish soap is a good choice for this procedure.

Procedure
1. Prepare a bowl of water and put in enough dish soap or kosher vegetable wash that the water feels somewhat slippery.

2. Separate the leaves from the romaine heart or separate the leaves for other flat leaf produce and put them into the bowl.

3. Agitate the leaves for 1 minute.

4. Remove leaves from soapy water and discard the water. Gently rub all areas on both sides of every leaf with a sponge. This includes flattening the curled-up edges of the leaves so they can be scrubbed.

5. Rinse each leaf under a stream of water while running your fingers across the leaf to undo the folds.

6. Place the leaves into the second bowl of soapy water and repeat Steps #2-5. In this repetition there is no need to scrub the leaves with a sponge.

Demonstration
Go to https://crckosher.org/video/romaine-hearts-scrub-and-rinse-method-april-2022/ to watch Rabbi Fishbane performing the Scrub and Rinse method.
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C - SOAK AND CHECK METHOD - cRc recommends this method for non-leafy vegetables when a person does not have access to a thrip-cloth

Supplies
You will need a large bowl and dish soap, and a room with bright sunlight or overhead lights. Seventh Generation Free and Clear dish soap is a good choice for this procedure. cRc does not recommend the use of salt water or vinegar to properly remove insects from fruits and vegetables.

Procedure
1. Separate the leaves and place them into a bowl of water.

2. Put enough dish soap or kosher vegetable wash into the bowl until the water and leaves feel somewhat slippery.

3. Soak and agitate the leaves in the soapy water for 1-2 minutes.

4. Remove the leaves from the bowl.

5. Carefully check the water to see if there are any insects present. It is difficult to see insects in the water and therefore the checking should be done slowly and methodically, and in an area with very good lighting.

6. If insects are found in the water, repeat the procedure with fresh soapy water.

7. When the soapy water is found to be free of insects, visually inspect three samples of the vegetable for insects. If no insects are found, the produce may be used without further checking.