Re: The Annual Corn-Syrup Brouhaha


"Don Levey" <Don_SCJM@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:m33bgyis9i.fsf@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Since we've less than two weeks left, I thought I'd start it this year.

I seem to recall that at least one year in the recent decade or so
the Coca-Cola company supposedly produced corn-syrup-based Coke that
had a KP hechsher.

I think you may be mistaken on this point. The Coca-Cola company has special
runs for Pesach where sugar is substituted for the corn syrup. Since Coke
doesn't list its ingredients on the bottle, someone may have made some
assumption that the KLP Coke contained corn syrup. I really don't think this
is the case. I believe it's either the O-U or the O-K who certifies them,
and neither of these organizations would certify an item containing corn
syrup as being KLP. A few years ago, I had a little scare where I saw that
Dr. Brown's KLP soda had corn syrup listed on the label. I went back to the
store and expressed to the manager that he should not have included this
item amongst the Pesach stuff because people would be misled, and he
patiently pointed out that the KLP was imprinted on the cap (which I had
thrown out). Dr. Brown's soda is kof-K certified, so I know the Passover run
wouldn't have contained corn syrup. I suspect the Dr. Brown company had
decided not to incur the additional expense of creating special labels for
Pesach. So, if you buy Dr. Brown's make sure you check the cap for the KLP.
It should be imprinted, not just a sticker (this applies to all items BTW-
the KLP needs to be printed directly on the package).

This was supposedly based upon some (potentially
minority) poskim that corn syrup was removed enough from kitnyot that
it was held as permissible. I *know* I've seen some boxes of candy
with a KP hechsher containing not only corn syrup but a disclaimer of
sorts with the opinion of one of the prominent rabbis (whose name
escapes me now).

This is correct. I have seen this on certain brands of KLP marshmallows.
These marshmallows may also contain non-kosher gelatin. From the perspective
of someone who only eats kosher gelatin, these marshmallows are treif for
Pesach and all-year-round :-)

I know this is all vague, and I apologise. But with that in mind:
1) Am I completely nuts? (non-peanut nuts, that is)

You may be thinking of the peanut oil controversy. That used to be the
standard oil for Pesach (courtesy of either Manischewitz or Rokeach), and
now the KLP oil is some other kind.

2) Is there a (non-chometz) grain of truth in what I remember, or
3) Is this largely factual (even if you consider it in error)?

If you have any questions, just consult Rabbi Blumenkrantz ;-)
See above.
Best regards,
--Cindy S.

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