The following Kashrut notice was issued by the kashrut department of the Joburg Beth Din today.

“Tim Tam biscuits available in South Africa are NOT KOSHER, even when bearing the KA logo on the packaging. According to Kosher Australia, these are “definitely not kosher unless there is a KA also by the use-by date. The non-kosher variety will say “Not Kosher” by the use-by date.”

This is not a change but simply a clarification of the status quo – which is itself extremely confusing and out of the control of the local Beth Din. In essence:

• The KA logo of Kosher Australia on the packaging does NOT make the product kosher;

• If it is in fact kosher, the letters “KA” will be printed as part of the use-by date-stamp;

• If the product is NOT KOSHER, it will have the KA logo of Kosher Australia on the packaging – but will have the letters “NOT KOSHER” printed as part of the use-by date-stamp.

Gottit now? We hope so. This is very confusing and all kudos to the kashrut guys for reminding us all.

Why is it so weird? Who knows, aren’t so many things Australian?