cochineal extract

Asked by michael · July 30, 2003 · Kashrut

Question

Im sorry rabbi but i didnt quite understand that last answer,If i take pig and liquify it its still pig and im going over the isur of eating pig, so why is that different with cochineal extract or carmine? Or did your answer mean that the process of making cochineal extract or carmine into a food coloring involves grindidng it up to the point where its not edible and then turning it into a food coloring like gelatin? Another question i have is does the halacha of gelatin not needing a hecksher only apply to sephardim or also to askenazim to?And do you know where i can dind this in halacha?because just about every askenazi that i tell this to just laughes. thank you

Answer

Answered by Aaron Abadi

The question was why insects like miniscule bugs are a problem even though they are small and inedible. Insects that are whole have a special rule that they are not Batel. Once not 100% whole, as in ground, they become Batel. Gelatin itself is an old issue. Look at Teshuvot Achiezer. Today it is even less of an issue, because during the processing they make it inedible. This is for all Jews. There is no need to convince your friends and neighbors. They aren't basing their opinions on Halachah. They're just basing it on what they thought their whole life. How do you plan on deprograming that? AA