Cholov Stam in Countries Outside the United States

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)

It’s a good thing that you contacted us! The heter of cholov stam, which was explained in the previous installment of Halacha Yomis, only pertains to countries which have adequate dairy regulations. 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.

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.