Trader Joe's New York Style Cheesecake

joncharm · February 18, 2020, 1:59am

Shalom Rav,

Is this product okay to eat?

Thank you.

Yisrael.Kleinhendler · February 18, 2020, 1:59am

No good

hillel · February 21, 2020, 2:43am

Why not?

Is there an issue with soft cheeses and Gevinat akum?

Isaacz · February 21, 2020, 2:43am

What ingredients are problematic?

Mbitton · February 21, 2020, 3:03am

Cream cheese needs to be Chalav Yisrael

hillel · February 25, 2020, 2:47am

Forgive my confusion. Isn’t there OUD Cream Cheese (Philadelphia brand)?

Yisrael.Kleinhendler · February 25, 2020, 2:49am

There is. They rely on a leniency that is questionable to us.

yisroel · February 25, 2020, 3:03am

Is it okay to eat in someone’s home if they trust OU-D cream cheese products?

Yisrael.Kleinhendler · February 25, 2020, 3:04am

That’s fine

Isaacz · March 3, 2020, 2:24am

Why would cheese need to be Chalav Yisrael? In general you guys aren’t makpid…

Perhaps you are referring to a separate issue of Gevinat Akum?

Isaacz · March 3, 2020, 2:24am

Isn’t this a very big leap in Humrot? You guys used to say that even mozzarella was a soft cheese and kasher in regards to Gevinat akum. Why are you now more maHmir than the OU for cream cheese?

Thank you

Yisrael.Kleinhendler · March 3, 2020, 2:26am

the cheese would not have to be Chalav Yisrael (the actual milk), but the process of making cheese does need to be performed by a Jew or at least in the presence of a Mashgiach. As you said, a Gevinat Akum issue.