Rabbi Daniel Sharratt is an expert in the halacha and science of produce, overseeing hundreds of plants and traveling to commercial indoor farms around the globe. With a background in mechanical engineering, he brings a unique scientific perspective to the world of kashrus and bug checking.

*In this episode, we cover:*

* *Triple-Washed, Organic, & Frozen:* The truth about why “triple-washed” and “organic” labels do not mean produce is bug-free, and why frozen vegetables still require strict kosher certification.
* *Smoothies & Blended Bugs:* The halachic rules of blending infested produce and why grabbing a green smoothie at an uncertified juice bar poses serious kashrus risks.
* *The Halacha of Bug Size:* The fascinating debate over what size bug actually counts as “visible to the naked eye” and how globalized farming changed the reality of bug checking.

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Learn more at: https://keepingitkosher.org/

00:00 – 00:50 Intro
00:50 – 3:30 Modern produce halacha
3:30 – 6:38 What bugs are an issue?
6:38 – 10:48 What produce needs to be checked?
10:48 – 15:55 Blending fruit
15:55 – 17:12 Types of farms
17:12 – 24:11 Rabbi Sharratt’s background
24:11 – 25:00 Certifying a facility
25:00 – 25:49 Triple washed produced
25:49 – 26:50 Organic produce
26:50 – 31:30 The future of produce
31:30 – 33:00 Pesticides
33:00 – 35:25 Consumer questions
35:25 – 37:00 Finding mussar in produce
37:00 – 38:40 Identifying the risks in a facility
38:40 – 39:59 Canned fruits and vegetables
39:59 – 42:20 Frozen fruits and vegetables