Does it need checking? It is not commonly infested in the USA, and rarely infested (or after long storage) in Israel. Seeds in the white shell are usually clean. Shelled green seeds should be shaken and checked. (Rav Moshe Vaya)
Rav Vaya’s rating
| USA | ✓ | not commonly infested (muchzak k’naki) |
| Israel | [★] | rarely infested, or after long storage |
Rav Moshe Vaya, Bedikat HaMazon K’Halacha, Degree of Infestation chart, p. 936 (Pumpkin Seeds)
Which bugs
- Worms in shelled (green) seeds. They can fall out when the seeds are shaken in a strainer. (Rav Moshe Vaya)
How to check
- Seeds in the shell (white): usually clean. If the shell is damaged, peel the seed and check it.
- Shelled seeds (green): shake them in a vegetable strainer over a white surface. Check whether worms fell onto the surface.
- If worms are found, do not use the seeds. (Rav Moshe Vaya)
Sources
- Rav Moshe Vaya, Bedikat HaMazon K’Halacha, Degree of Infestation chart, p. 936 (rating).
- Rav Moshe Vaya, Bedikat HaMazon K’Halacha: summary sheet “Tu BiShvat Without Worms: All the Fruits and How to Check Them” (published by Machon Aliya).
Related
References: Rav Moshe Vaya — “Tu BiShvat Without Worms: All the Fruits and How to Check Them” (Machon Aliya, Hebrew)
Source: Rav Moshe Vaya, Bedikat HaMazon K’Halacha, p. 936
