Chalav Stam (Continued)

QUESTION: I am planning a vacation to some foreign countries, and I assume that since I drink cholov stam, I can drink the milk in the countries I visit. I wanted to double-check with you, just in case. (A consumer’s question)

ANSWER: As was explained in the previous halacha, there are two main leniencies for cholov stam, that of Igeros Moshe based on government regulations, and that of the Pri Chadash based on the unavailability or greater expense of non-kosher milk.  

According to Rav Moshe Feinstein, zt”l (Igeros Moshe YD 1:47-49) one may only purchase milk in well developed countries that have laws prohibiting the adulteration of milk, and inspectors to confirm that these laws are properly observed. The OU’s poskim have ruled that European Union nations and other countries with well-enforced dairy regulations qualify for the heter of cholov stam. In countries where such regulations are lacking or are poorly enforced, milk remains prohibited as cholov akum and requires on-site kashrus supervision in order to be permissible.

However, according to the Pri Chadash (YD 115:6) even in those countries the leniency of cholov stam would still apply so long as milk from non-kosher animals is not available or is much more expensive, because this too serves to guarantee the purity of the milk. Although, the Aruch Hashulchan (YD 115:5) and Igros Moshe did not accept the leniency of the Pri Chadash, others, including the Chazon Ish, paskened like the Pri Chadash.

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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.