It was back in the 1980s that the startling revelation was made - many produce items we regularly included in our meals were prone to infestation by a variety of insects. The immediate response was to carefully check all suspect vegetables and fruit that we served. Unfortunately, the overwhelming majority of consumers do not have the expertise to inspect produce for bugs. They do not know what to look for, nor how to look.

For a while, pre-washed salads seemed to be a perfect and convenient solution. However, under careful scrutiny, it was discovered that many vegetables, including Romaine lettuce, spinach, and even iceberg lettuce, could not be rendered free of insects by washing systems. Indeed, the chief engineer who designed the washing machines for produce in North America has asserted that no washing system alone could be expected to rid infested produce of bugs. Certain insects such as leaf miners, who burrow tiny tunnels within leaves, are beyond the range of even the most vigorous washing machines. Moreover, items with very convoluted surfaces, such as broccoli, cannot be washed clean of the bugs that typically infest them.

A solution … somewhat
The first breakthrough came with the introduction of greenhouse-grown produce, primarily from the settlement of Gush Katif. The greenhouse created a controlled environment whereby produce could be generally protected form airborne insects, which comprise the bulk of the infestation problem. The imported greenhouse-grown items were the first real solution to infestation, but did have several drawbacks. The prohibitive costs of exporting and shipping produce meant that heavier items such as broccoli could not be considered at all. Even lighter items such as Romaine lettuce were harvested long before their maturity, to reduce the costs of shipping. As such, the lettuce was not a very robust product, and, coupled with the protracted process of shipping and distribution, left a very short shelf life. Additionally, the costs of shipping that the companies incurred had to be passed on to the consumer, resulting in a rather hefty price tag for a less than hefty bag of lettuce.

Enter Pos’tiv – the ideal solution
Pos’tiv Produce was created as the ideal solution for discriminating consumers who care about quality, freshness, and kashrus.
Pos’tiv owns vast tracts of land in North America, and has constructed state of the art greenhouses, using an exceedingly fine mesh. The mesh is treated with a specially formulated natural substance that repels insects. Likewise, the ground is periodically treated to ensure a virtually bug-free environment.
Pos’tiv employs the services of experienced kashrus supervisors, including several who served in that capacity at Gush Katif. There is constant inspection of produce, both in the fields and during processing at our modern plant in Allentown, PA. As an added level of protection, the processing plant employs a unique patented washing system, designed specifically for the removal of thrips and other insects. The equipment features specialized filters, and is equipped with a mechanism that rotates the produce so that all sides are exposed to the powerful jets of water. A visiting kashrus supervisor who specializes in this field remarked that the Pos’tiv system is unequalled in any other facility, including the well-known national brands.
Pos’tiv Produce represents an unprecedented breakthrough. For the first time, a tremendous variety of high quality, fresh produce is available to the kosher consumer at significantly lower prices!

Pos’tiv Produce – Deliciously Kosher!

Kashrus Controls

The Pos’tiv system incorporates the following kashrus control measures to ensure insect-free produce.

• Greenhouses. Our state of the art greenhouses are constructed of a superior mesh product designed exclusively for Pos’tiv. In addition to the extra-fine construction, the mesh is regularly sprayed with a natural substance that repels insects. This virtually guarantees protection against all airborne insects, which are the primary source of produce infestation.
• Ground treatment. The ground is periodically treated with a chemical substance to protect against any infestation of ground insects.
• Field inspections. Our kashrus supervisors constantly check all planting areas to ensure their bug-free status.
• Washing. A triple washing system with built-in filtering in our processing plant was designed according to our unique specifications. The system is equipped with a mechanism that rotates the produce so that all sides are exposed to the powerful jets of water.  It guarantees that any possible infiltration of insects is removed.
• Plant inspection Kashrus supervisors continually monitor and inspect finished bagged products.

The entire Pos’tiv process is under the guidance and approval of the world-renowned expert on halakhic conformance of produce, Rabbi Moshe Vaye of Bnei Braq. Additionally, Pos’tiv Produce enjoys the kashrus supervision of:

• OU
• Rabbi Katz
• Rabbi Eckstein

Pos’tiv Produce – Deliciously Kosher!

Quality and Value

Pos’tiv Produce offers an unprecedented level of quality and freshness. Because of our streamlined system and focused distribution, our products go from the field to your grocery shelf within five days! That’s even less time than it takes the well-known national brands!
Moreover, refrigerated transportation guarantees that the vegetables you eat are the absolutely freshest available- unless you live on a farm!

Because all our produce is grown domestically, shipping costs are minimal, and we pass those savings on to consumers! Now you can have deliciously fresh and robust produce, guaranteed insect-free for a fraction of the cost!

Click here for more on The Positives of Pos’tiv Produce

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