Is there any problem regarding the oils used on Australian sultanas?
A. The particular brands of sultanas that Kosher Australia certifies actually have a coating of an imported oil that is certified Kosher by the OK. There is one other problematic ingredient used in a drying-aid spray that MAY be used earlier in some vineyards. We have ascertained that this ingredient (a vegetable oil emulsion) is actually not treif in itself – there can however, at times, be a possible shared equipment problem in its production. Before being used, this ingredient is, however, mixed with potash and water in a solution that is not only much more than shishim (sixty times the original problematic item – that allows for its nullification) but, given the nature of potash, it is absolutely and completely poigem (destructive of any taste of) the mixture. The mixture is water soluble and we are told can actually be washed off at times by rain during the drying process. The particular sultanas that we certify and list that may have had this foul tasting, inedible mixture spraye
