Tu B'shvat 5785 Information CRC Hisachdus

With many fruits that are eaten on TU B'shvat there are concerns about tolaim/insects that is why it is important to familiarize yourself with all the  relevant guidance and  information  when buying fruit that requires caution. When shopping for any type of fruit products whether they are fresh, frozen, dried, or packed  one should be attentive about the possible concerns and  ensure that they are indeed suitable for it is always important to check the label and review whether the product is clean from potential contamination or it requires testing. It is also always advisable to check the label to make sure that the fruits are not from eretz Yisroel, where there are many halachic concerns in regards to Shmitah, Orlah, Maaser and the like. 

Even nuts with a reliable hashgacha can get infested after packaging, and therefore one must be very careful with the following situations:

In a scenario where nuts have been laid away for a long time, for about 4 weeks, in a warm place, it is often infested, and one is obligated to inspect whether it has worms or any of the three signs of insects or mites. Medakdim will always inspect nuts

before eating. The three signs of infestation are: 1. A web: when you pour nuts out of the container and it sticks one to the other or with a thread-like web, it’s infested. When

only single nuts stick to the container, it’s static electricity and not a web. 2. Clusters: if, when dividing the clusters, the nuts break down to crumbs like salt\ sugar, then it’s a sign of infestation. If it was stored in the refrigerator, the same thing may happen from

moisture and not from worms. 3. Many crumbs: of the same size and appearance.