With Tu B’Shvat approaching, the New Square Kashrus Council has released an updated fruit list and inspection guide, outlining which fruits are generally insect-free, which require careful checking, and which should be avoided due to high infestation concerns.
The updated guide, translated and excerpted with permission from the council’s Yiddish Tu B’Shvat fruit manual, focuses specifically on insect infestation issues and does not address other kashrus considerations such as coatings, oils, or shemittah-related concerns. Consumers are advised to use reliable hashgachos where applicable and to exercise added caution with imported and dried fruits.
According to the council, many commonly used fruits — including oranges, lemons, mangos, peaches, nectarines, and cranberries — are generally free of infestation when intact, though cracked or damaged fruit should be opened and inspected. Other fruits, such as grapes, persimmons, pistachios, walnuts, and sunflower seeds, may be used only after proper washing or spot-checking.
The guide also warns that several fruits are highly prone to infestation and should not be used, including raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, raisins, dried apricots from many regions, dried figs, tamarind paste, and certain dried plums and pineapple products unless produced under strict supervision.
Special attention is urged for figs, dates, strawberries, pineapples, citrus peels, chestnuts, and nuts, all of which require detailed inspection procedures to ensure they are free of insects or infestation residue. The council emphasizes that dried fruits in particular should only be purchased from high-quality sources with reliable supervision.
The New Square Kashrus Council encourages the public to review the full guide carefully ahead of Tu B’Shvat and to consult knowledgeable mashgichim or local rabbinic authorities with any questions regarding proper inspection methods.
