Chasamos - A Proper Seal

Q. What is considered a proper seal for kosher food?

A. A proper kosher seal (known as a “siman”) need not be tamper-proof. Rather, a seal is adequate if duplication (after tampering) would involve significant effort. For example, a signature on a tape is considered a siman, even though the tape can be replaced, and the signature can be duplicated. Nonetheless, counterfeiting a signature requires significant effort, and therefore a signature is a valid seal.

As previously noted, the Gemara (Avoda Zara 39a) states that some food items require only one seal, while other kosher-sensitive items require two seals. Rav Schachter, Shlita, explains that the advantage of two seals is not that they are tamper-proof, but rather, two seals are more difficult to replicate than one.

Rav Belsky zt”l maintained that if a brown paper bag is sealed with OU printed tape and the receipt is stapled to the bag, this is considered two seals.

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The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.