Is it Permitted to Puree Vegetables Without Checking?

Is it Permitted to Puree Vegetables without Checking?

The Terumas HaDeshen 171 writes that it is permissible to mill and grind infested wheat into flour provided one removes all obvious signs of infestation. Even though it is possible that there are more insects, so long as one does not know for sure, the wheat may be milled. However, produce which is known or generally assumed to be infested, may not be milled. This opinion is quoted byShach Y.D. 84:40. On this basis, it is permitted to wash vegetables or berries to the point that they are relatively clean, and then puree them. One further caveat is that this is only permitted if the pureeing is done primarily because that is what the recipe calls for, and not for the purpose of obliterating the infestation.


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.