Chalav Stam

QUESTION: What is meant by chalav stam?

ANSWER: “Chalav stam” (literally, plain milk) refers to milk, which was not supervised by a mashgiach, but is assumed to be pure based on other considerations. There are two famous scenarios where such assumptions are warranted.

The Pri Chadash (YD 115:6) writes that in Amsterdam (where he resided), one may purchase regular milk from the marketplace even though not supervised because non-kosher milk is not available or is very expensive. He explains that there is no absolute Rabbinic requirement to have a mashgiach watch the milking; it is only a means of verifying the milk’s purity. In a city where there is no possibility of adulteration, there is no need for a mashgiach. The Chasam Sofer (YD 107) strongly opposed this approach and maintained that actual supervision is a Rabbinic requirement, but some later poskim, such as the Chazon Ish (YD 41:4), disagreed with the Chasam Sofer and sided with the Pri Chadash.

Rav Moshe Feinstein, zt”l (Igeros Moshe YD 1:47-49) allowed chalav stam in areas that have laws prohibiting the adulteration of milk, and the local government dispatches inspectors to confirm that these laws are properly observed. Though Rav Moshe feels this is the basic halacha, he writes that a “baal nefesh” (a person of elevated spirit) should refrain from drinking chalav stam. The Chazon Ish (YD 41:4) gives credence to this position as well.

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