Orthodox jew something not kosher on product labeled kosher

[cyjeff]

Originally Posted by You Are Guilty

Arguably, the damages here are higher than the typical "replace the food & a coupon" type cases thanks to the religious implications. However, because they are so abstract, quantifying them is essentially impossible (i.e. would a rabbi be entitled to more money because he's more religious than the "average" Jew?)

Therefore, the answer is likely going to be "refund and some coupons", but it would not surprise me if someone is able to dig up a small claims case somewhere in which the consumer won more than nominal damages for a "religious injury". (Nor would it surprise me if that decision was promptly overturned).

Yeah, that was the horns of the dilemma I was outlining.

[xylene]

Originally Posted by You Are Guilty

Arguably, the damages here are higher than the typical "replace the food & a coupon" type cases thanks to the religious implications. However, because they are so abstract, quantifying them is essentially impossible (i.e. would a rabbi be entitled to more money because he's more religious than the "average" Jew?)

Therefore, the answer is likely going to be "refund and some coupons", but it would not surprise me if someone is able to dig up a small claims case somewhere in which the consumer won more than nominal damages for a "religious injury". (Nor would it surprise me if that decision was promptly overturned).

The problem (for this poster) is that MarsM&M's has done nothing tortious, even if there are damages.

They have no duty beyond the standards enshrined in law to ensure that the candy contains no contaminants.

Had this been a result of negligence or intent, maybe.

But a candy-maker can't, won't and doesn't have to ensure a rigorously kosher product, or even a product free of bugs.

[You Are Guilty]

Since I have no clue what the Kosher Rules actually are, I have no way of even guessing whether having a bug in the candy was negligent. Either way, looks like some more free M&Ms for our poster.

[mvpjsand]

thanks for the feedback and advice everyone! honestly though, i don't think i'd ever eat another m&m in my life. maybe they could give me some coupons for a nestle product or something

[ecmst12]

I have a decent lay-jewish-person's understanding of the rules. It mostly involves keeping meat and dairy products separate, insuring no INTENTIONAL introduction of non-kosher items (such as bugs, or bacon), and certain standards of cleanliness which are probably higher then the USDA. But even if all the rules are followed and the stamp of approval is given, things do slip through the cracks. The kosher approval is on the FACILITY, not each individual product coming off the line.

[FarmerJ]

Sounds like you have punished your self enough with worry about this so it would be a good time for you to learn the art of making candy from scratch so you know what has gone in it. Im sure if you let it be known at temples that you would like someone to teach you how to make homemade candy from scratch that someone would come forward! ( you will save your self a ton of money too , & gain a skill you can re teach to the next generation or share when you return) legally dont expect much , If you must then notify them. Just dont expect much from it, things happen!

[I_Got_Banned]

Originally Posted by FarmerJ

Sounds like you have punished your self enough with worry about this so it would be a good time for you to learn the art of making candy from scratch so you know what has gone in it.

Until he realizes that ants got into his sugar supply and then he's back to where he started from...

[mdrummer5]

Originally Posted by mvpjsand

the m&ms where bought in target in indianpolis. i'm in israel for school and i brought them with me from indy. nobody can help if a bug flies into your mouth, but a bug in a peice of candy certified kosher is very troubling for me (i'd be troubled also if i swallowed the bug that flew into my mouth too). judaism makes the seperation between sins done on accident or on purpose, but it is still considered a sin! when a fly comes into my mouth and i eat it, noone in the world has control over this, but when you buy a product and a giant ant is INSIDE the candy, a company has controll over this. if this where posion that acidently came into the candy that too is in control of the company.

This is why I'm not an orthodox jew. Theology aside, a company does to an extent have control over what goes into it's products. However, to the best of my knowledge are allowed a margin of error.

Not something I would pursue personally. Ask yourself this since this seems to be a religious matter. Will God condemn you for mistakenly eating something that isn't kosher? Or for filing a lawsuit to get money for a mistake? My personal belief is neither.

[Country Living]

Originally Posted by mvpjsand

i can post a picture for anyone who wants to see. it is a big carpenter ant and half of its body is inside the other half of the m&m that i didn't eat, while part of its body is hanging where i bit off half of the m&m. i don't know about you, but i have no idea how to place an ant into chocolate without melting the m&m while keeping the shell perfectly intact.

Carpenter ants don't eat chocolate.