Hechshers

[Lulav]

Exactly...it isn't just about the ingredients. It's the
equipment, manufacturing processes, and ingredients
that are not listed (or that are not made clear)
that are also issues....

Yes, like things hidden under 'Natural Flavors" I heard that swine broth can be hidden under this if only a certain %. I don't have a source to back that up and they are saying at the site about meat products that pork would be listed even if only a flavoring.

I checked out the USDA and this is what they say about Natural Flavors ( in meat now understand)

What substances or ingredients can be listed as "natural flavor," "flavor," or "flavorings" rather than by a specific common or usual name?

Ingredients such as ginger, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, celery powder, and garlic oil may be listed as one of the three categories mentioned above. They may be designated as "natural flavors" because they are substances used chiefly for flavor. They do not make a nutritional contribution, are not derived from an animal species, and there are no health concerns linked to them.

But that is a lie right there, some spice companies add starch to the dried herbs which can be from a source like wheat, something I can't have and it alone can make me very sick.


About the natural flavorings, I looked up and found this:

How natural is “natural flavoring?”

Published on: March 30, 2004

We’ve all heard of products being labeled “artificially flavored” or “naturally flavored,” but ever wonder what exactly “natural flavor” means? Is it really natural? What is the difference? Well, the definition of “natural flavor” under the Code of Federal Regulations is: “the essential oil, oleoresin, essence or extractive, protein hydrolysate, distillate, or any product of roasting, heating or enzymolysis, which contains the flavoring constituents derived from a spice, fruit or fruit juice, vegetable or vegetable juice, edible yeast, herb, bark, bud, root, leaf or similar plant material, meat, seafood, poultry, eggs, dairy products, or fermentation products thereof, whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional” (21CFR101.22)http://www.supermarketguru.com/page.cfm/6046

Bottom line, know what you are putting in your mouth, read and comprehend the ingredient list, it may mean a little more work ( but it is so much easier nowadays because of the internet) and much less than having to prepare certain items yourself. right?