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Checking Artichokes for Bugs

Question

What is the bug situation with artichokes?

Answer

Clean artichokes very well.

Sources

The Torah forbids eating any creature that swarms on the earth: “they shall not be eaten.” Because of this, produce that tends to have insects must be cleaned and checked before eating. The Shulchan Aruch rules that any kind of produce that commonly gets infested may not be eaten until it is checked for insects. The Rema adds that checking most of the pieces is not enough. All of them must be checked, since infestation, even if only in a minority, is common. Artichokes are a commonly infested vegetable, so they must be cleaned very well.

  • Leviticus 11:41 — all things that swarm upon the earth are an abomination and may not be eaten
  • Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De’ah 84:8 — produce that is prone to infestation may not be eaten without first checking for insects; the Rema says each piece must be checked, not just most of them

Author

Rabbi Shay Tahan

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