
It was reported earlier today that Grey Goose, even regular unflavored vodka, should not be consumed as the company is using high proof grape alcohol in this product.
The Chicago Rabbinical Council has released the following statement:
Those who keep kosher would never eat in a restaurant without a reliable hechsher, nor bring products into their homes unless verified to be kosher. The assumption is that prepared food and beverages are not kosher until verified otherwise. It is well-known that we maintain one of the largest kosher Liquor Lists in the world, investing considerable research to find acceptable kosher liquor options for consumers. We firmly believe that products which are certified-kosher are preferable to those listed as approved, as these avoid any kashrus issues. Nevertheless, as a community-based hechsher, we feel it is important to do careful research and provide options for those who may not have access to certified products.
It has come to our attention that a popular vodka, produced in France, was considered acceptable in kosher homes even without a hechsher. The cRc has always advised that vodka produced in France, Ireland, and New Zealand requires special attention out of concern that it may be produced from wine or dairy alcohol. In fact, there have been persistent rumors that this vodka from France contains alcohol produced from wine. As we know, wine products require special hashgacha to avoid the concern of stam yeinam – wine produced by non-observant Jews. As stated, we believe that unless a particular product meets generally accepted guidelines for kosher liquor, the assumption is that the product is not kosher until verified otherwise.
Because of the above, we never officially published that it was not recommended nor did we say it was recommended. We simply left it off our kosher liquor list because vodka from France needs to be verified as kosher.
In recent days, a consumer that spoke to one of our staff correctly posted on a WhatsApp Group that we do not recommend it, but this was misinterpreted and reposted by others outside the cRc (without contacting us first) to state that we have firsthand knowledge that there is wine in the product. This is untrue. Our position was based on the stated concern.
After extensive research, we have now discovered that there is a special run produced under hashgacha specifically for the Israeli market (with kashering the lines to avoid any contact with equipment used for non-kosher products) and we have verified that the source for the standard alcohol for this company is solely grain based.
However, this same company does produce a non-kosher version of vodka which contains grape based alcohol, but the standard unflavored version is solely grain based. Therefore, as long the company continues to maintain special kosher runs, the above information is considered accurate.
We once again maintain that it is best to consume these products with a proper hechsher.
The following is a letter from the Belzer vaad hakashrus’ Rav Asher Eckstein regarding this matter:
A French-made vodka is enough to raise eyebrows, this should come as no surprise.
Rabbi Yudel Shain has banned all French Vodka for the past 10 years, because of wine issues.
Rav Padwa, has banned french vodka for years because of wine issues.
What changed?
Did grey goose always have grape alcohol in it?
Or can bottles older than N months/years be used?
How did this slip through the cracks of liquor lists from other signifigant hechaherim?
This alert was based on misinformation and rumors which has been verified by a mashgiach who visits the plant as untrue. I am a kashrus mashgiach with first-hand knowledge from the players involved.
Read the CRC statement again. They say they have confirmed that the standard unflavoured vodka does NOT contain grape alcohol.
A goose is like a tziken no matter vat color it is, gray, brown / black (African American), yellow (Chanayzer), etc. They all fleishig and need Hashgocho. No ifs, ands or butts!
I see you’ve had a few drinks already. Nu nu.
https://yudelstake.blogspot.com/2021/12/alert-all-french-vodka-have-wine-issue.html
The CRC list never recommended Grey goose or other French Vodkas.
The CRC does not approve Red-Bull drinks either.
On the other hand, Star-K approves Grey Goose vodka and Red-Bull drinks.
Moshiach will be mattir the Chazir, but not the other approved items on their list.
Get your Vodka from Scandinavia or Russia.
Maybe illiterates learn the difference between Cognac the wine-based drink and Cognac the Frence provincial town
All of the French Vodkas are aged/flavored in wine barrels.
France is awash alcohol made from grape derivatives, if you want kosher do not drink grey goose unless it has a reliable hashgacha
How does one define “reliable Hashgocha”?