Answer: Plain milk: cRc permits it without certification where certified milk is not available. Flavored milk: yes.
Reason: So much milk is pasteurized at once that any non-kosher taste absorbed in the pasteurizer is nullified. Some recommend buying milk only with a hashgacha.
Source:
- cRc: where needed, plain milk with no additives (other than vitamins) is permitted without hashgacha, because any non-kosher taste absorbed in the pasteurizer is batel b’shishim; cRc notes some recommend milk only with hashgacha. Flavored milk (chocolate, strawberry, etc.) requires certification.
Related questions:
- Does cheese need a hechsher? Yes (cRc, OK, OU).
- Do butter, yogurt and ice cream need a hechsher? Yes (cRc).
- Does baby formula need to be chalav Yisrael? If chalav Yisrael formula is not found, you may give regular formula.
References: cRc (askcrc.org), “Milk & Juice” · cRc (askcrc.org), “Milk, flavored”
