A reader has written in asking that we alert the community to a possible error in the practice of those who eat Oreo Cookies based on the assumption that while they carry an OU-D they do not have any actual dairy ingredients and are merely considered “dairy equipment.” This assumption was perhaps based on statements available online such as:
(From cRc newsletter alerts, Shavuos 5772 / 2012) “At the present time, most varieties of Oreo Cookies contain dairy ingredients, with two notable exceptions. Original Oreo Sandwich Cookie and Oreo Double Stuf Sandwich Cookie do not contain dairy ingredients, though they are manufactured on dairy equipment. The equipment is not necessarily cleaned before the production of the Oreo Original and Double Stuff Sandwich Cookies, and there may be a small amount of dairy residue present in these cookies. Nonetheless, the dairy component would be minimal, and from a Halachic perspective, the dairy residue is nullified (botel bishishim) and of no consequence. Therefore, Oreo Original and Double Stuf Sandwich Cookies may be consumed after meat and poultry, but not simultaneously. Please bear in mind that the manufacturer may choose in the future to reformulate these products and add dairy ingredients. Since these products already bear OUD symbols, formulation changes would not be reflected in the OUD logo. As such, consumers should check regularly with the OU to confirm the status of these items. ”
So, please contact your LOR and discuss the details of eating Oreos, including whether those who keep Chalav Yisroel should or should not be careful with Kaylim/ vessels. Nonetheless, all types of Oreos should not be eaten with a meal meal, and certain types are true dairy ingredients. Since the OUD designation will never change if the non-dairy Oreos are reformulated, the only way to be sure that they have not added dairy ingredients is to check frequently with the O-U.
Leah says
How much time should the almighty OU-D Oreo cookie really take? Today we are blessed B”H with myriads of choices – has Hashem not given us the same exact cookie, only totally pareve? What is the problem? Why would ANY ONE OF US waste our time with this? It is really not THAT HARD to just leave all OU-D behind, including DE dairy equipment and all, and go Cholov Yisroel 100% – it really is do-able, there are so many choices today.
Bahtlahn says
Leah, In theory I agree with you, but really . . . can we expect everyone to be on the same level of readiness and willingness to take on the same chumros? Ok, that wasn’t fair. It was a rhetorical question. The Mesillas Yesharim says no. (Perek 13. In my print, it has a subdivision of Subchapter 7.)
Everyone is growing and struggling in their areas. I don’t think it helps to have frustration over other people’s pace of growth. I’m not looking for a heter. We keep cholov Yisroel in our home. This just isn’t on everyone’s radar, and that seems to be part of Hashem’s plan.
OreosOnMyMind says
Thanks for the really nice approach, Bahtlhan. Also pareve Cheimish Oreos are just not the same taste, cost more than 2x as much, and have more unhealthy pareve ingredients.
Neil from Ohio says
Along the same line: Trader Joe’s “Peanut Butter Pretzels With No Salt on the Pretzel” used to have a plain OU a long time ago. But now it is OU-D. What ingredient is dairy? Or is it, like the Oreos, just made on dairy equipment?
I don’t know why OU uses the same symbol for both “dairy” and “dairy equipment”. Other Kashrus orgs use “D” and “DE”,to make the status of each product clear.
Cookie Monster says
So the situation is not as black and white as it seems?
es says
for all concerned we have relied on oreos being truly pareve based on persons with SEVERE DAIRY ALLERGIES(even trace elements-contamination) and they have had zero reaction to this product . is that not reliable? ( i am asking )
Oy-veyo says
The fact that someone can eat an Oreo today with no dairy allergy reactions means nothing more than there is no dairy in that Oreo TODAY but there is no guarantee whatsoever that the next Oreo from another bag will be totally dairy. That’s why OU chose to use OUD so widely. There is nothing keeping the company to that “pareve” formulation.
Trying to lose a few pounds says
Well, I think it is appropriate to “weigh in” on this not so black and white topic…. Bottom line, try staying away from all processed foods with hydrogenated oils, white flour and white sugar, and have an apple a day with plenty of water instead and IYH, you will be healthy wealthy, and wise!
Avi says
Whether there are allergic reactions or not is irrelevant. Regular Oreos have an allergy warning for that reason. But what may or may not cause an allergic reaction has to do a lot with the type of allergy. Halacha takes into account only the ratio of dairy to parve ingredients. As long as the total product is less than 1/60 dairy and no dairy products were specifically mixed in, it is not dairy. However, since it is using dairy equipment, you cannot eat an Oreo with meat. So if for whatever weird foodie reason you want to make Oreo covered chicken, that would be a problem.
Isabel Parks says
I think I saw some Giant Eagle brand cookies that are like oreo’s that had a hesher and said pareve. I will have to check that out. The cookies at Trader Joe’s are comparable in price to oreos–about $2.99 per box. They are pareve Jo Jo’s in several varieties including gluten free which are a little more expensive