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What do sources say about purchasing smoothies at places with no kosher certification? Would this be allowed?

mbloch
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Anonymous111122
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2 Answers2

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There are a number of potential issues with smoothies

  • the milk or yoghurt: which might or might not be chalav Israel for those who pay attention to this
  • fruit: particularly strawberries or raspberries commonly contain insects: however since they are crushed ou pureed this is not an issue (see here from R Moishe Dovid Lebovits)
  • other fruit juices used if any: they would need to be kosher, with a particular issue with grape juice if handled by non-Jews
  • any supplements (Wikipedia: sweeteners, whey powder, plant milk, nuts, nut butter, seeds, tea, chocolate, herbal supplements, or nutritional supplements) would need a reliable hekhsher
  • the blender: in case it is used to blend other non-kosher beverages and not cleaned well
  • sitting down in a non-kosher restaurant (see e.g., here): although you are maybe asking about only purchasing a drink which is permitted by some

So, in summary a cold smoothie prepared on dedicated or clean equipment, with no or kosher supplements, might be permitted if prepared with water, kosher fruit juice or, for someone not particular about chalav Israel, milk.

Of course, consult your rabbi before implementing anything you learn here.

mbloch
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  • #2 is controversial. The local kashrus here holds that you can’t use uncertified raspberries because of the bugs; even though they’re being ground up, the person making the smoothie is doing it on your behalf, so it’s an issue of אין מבטלין איסור לכתחילה. – DonielF Feb 22 '19 at 14:19
  • @donielF the issue with blending raspberries is if the reason they are being blended is to crush the bugs to become batel then it is a problem of an mevatal litchatchilla but a smoothie which is blended whether there are bugs or not and it isn't known 100% that there are in fact bugs should not be an issue bc the intended purpose is to make the item – Dude Feb 22 '19 at 21:49
  • @Dude I understand the logic behind the opinion that it’s okay, all I’m saying is that there’s an opinion that argues. – DonielF Feb 22 '19 at 22:03
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As long as the utensils are clean, and everything else is kosher, you can go to juice n Java for only a smoothie. Though if you do want to go to a none kosher place, some will advise due to(merit ayin) to be discreet about. If you’re on an island and see coconuts with a straw, it’s fine.

Please note, even though it’s not under smoothies, please look at the kosher Starbucks website, into the regular coffee, as not all regular coffees are kosher there, I know I was taken by surprise too.

As a former mashgiach for the ORB of south Florida.

jonathan
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