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Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Clearing Up the Budweiser Kashrus Issue

I was going to write an introduction to this e-mail from the CRC (Chicago Rabbinical Council), explaining why anyone would have even thought of this, but it looks like the e-mail says it all. (I will add that Ezzie asked me to post this :-P)

Chicago Rabbinical Council
2701 West Howard Street
Chicago, IL 60645

(773) 465-3900 Fax: (773) 465-6632

Rabbi Sholem Y. Fishbane: Kashruth Administrator - fishbane@crcweb.org
Rabbi Dovid Cohen: Administrative Rabbinic Coordinator - dcohen@crcweb.org

Anheuser-Busch Beer Products

Mott's, a division of Dr Pepper/Snapple Group, sells a beverage called Clamato which contains clam powder, and Anheuser-Busch recently introduced a beverage called Chelada which is a mixture of Budweiser beer and Clamato. In recent months, Kashrus Magazine wrote that since Chelada is tunnel pasteurized on the same equipment as other beer products, the public should avoid all Budweiser products until the process is "inspected by a competent kashrus expert". [While investigating the issue of Chelada, we also became aware of a related issue stemming from another Anheuser-Busch product called "Bud Light Lime"].

The cRc, which certifies many items produced in the same plant as the Clamato, investigated this concern via visiting the plants where Clamato and Chelada are produced, reviewing formulas, extensive discussions with the companies, and independent research. The following are our conclusions:
  • Anheuser-Busch beers sold in bottles are free and clear of any concerns.
  • Dr Pepper has already made changes to the production of the Clamato used in Chelada, without changing its basic recipe, so that Anheuser-Busch beers sold in cans will also be acceptable.
  • The kosher status of Anheuser-Busch beers are not affected by the Bud Light Lime beverage bottled on shared equipment.
The rationale for these conclusions are beyond the scope of this statement, and will be presented to kashrus professionals at their AKO Conference to be held on November 13, 2008. A more detailed version of this statement, is posted on the cRc website, www.crcweb.org.

19 comments:

  1. Whew! I just bought a 36 can pack so I'm happy not to throw it out.

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  2. What about Bud Light Lime - any problems

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  3. so the conclusion is that everythings ok?

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  4. espes: "Anheuser-Busch beers sold in bottles are free and clear of any concerns. Dr Pepper has already made changes to the production of the Clamato used in Chelada, without changing its basic recipe, so that Anheuser-Busch beers sold in cans will also be acceptable."

    whiteshirt: does the product exist already? email the vaad (CRC) and ask.

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  5. u didnt really answer me... so why didnt they just write, "everything is ok"?

    bud light lime does exist. it "came out" this past summer

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  6. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  7. JdJ - Do you have a drinking problem, sir? :)

    WS/WG - Not sure if that's saying Lime is a problem.

    EsPes - Seems like it. Also, once you're paying the money to make a statement, might as well fill up the whole page! :) All seriousness, they want to explain the background, what they checked, and how before noting the conclusion.

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  8. espes: it said bottles are fine. then it said cans have been cleared of the issue as well.

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  9. (the can part is hard to understand with their wording, so if you are going to buy a 6pack, call the CRC first ;))

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  10. Ha! I was going to post about this, but I'm glad I didn't.
    In truth, does any still drink Bud?

    I'm a Sam Adams man!

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  11. Whiteshirt - the CRC notice says (b'kitzor) - the lime flavor is kosher as are the other ingredients, but it's not a certified product, it's not monitored so the status of the ingredients could change at any moment. They "don't recommend it".

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  12. If I read the detailed psak correct, they're saying after having Dr. Pepper make a formula change on Camato powder, Chelada beer + real clam flavor is now KOSHER (b'dieved - but not certified of course), and that being the case it can't treif the pasteurizer and therefore all other beer going through remains kosher as well.

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  13. if one wants to drink beer, why would you drink Budweiser anyway?

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  14. Now we're getting some real serious Q's!

    Heineken. Now that's better.

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  15. I read the more detailed letter also, about how they don't recommend it - but they also say that all Anheuser-Busch beers sold in bottles are free and clear of any concerns. Bud Light falls into that category. Maybe I'll email them.

    For all those who want a good light beer, the best is Sam Adams Light. For those who like the Canadian style beers and want a light beer, go with Labbatt Blue Light.

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  16. Why in the world would anyone want a clam flavored beverage????

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  17. The cRc sent out a subsequent email clarifying that all flavored beers require a hechsher

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  18. meishiv - its already posted on serandez for clarification.

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