Bitul B’shishim - Soup Mix

QUESTION: A non-kosher soup mix that includes a concentrated beef flavor was accidentally added to a pot of soup. The beef flavor mix is less than one part in sixty measured against the entire soup. Is the soup permitted?

ANSWER: In a previous Halachah, it was explained that even if a food is concentrated and is therefore more flavorful, Rav Belsky zt”l held that it would still be batel if mixed into a food that was sixty times its volume. However, there is a category of ingredients referred to as “avida l’taama” (ingredients whose whole intent is to give flavor). The Rema (YD 98:8) writes that an ingredient whose purpose is to give flavor is not batel in sixty parts, and perhaps not even in a thousand. As long as the flavor is still discernible, it is not batel. The Taz writes that spices such as pepper and salt are “avida l’taama” because their taste is very pronounced. On the other hand, although meat is flavorful, it is not considered “avida l’taama” because it does not have such a pronounced taste. However, if one concentrates beef flavor so that it is many times more flavorful and it becomes the dominant flavor in the soup, this too might be “avida l’taama.” Even in 60 parts, it cannot be assumed to be nullified.

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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.