<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> Dear listmates, I am forwarding this correspondence "as is" for your own judgement. All your questions regarding these Mazot and their availability should please be send to Mr. Morris (do not call on Shabat-Saturday) at: David and Julie Morris, 15 Rehov Sherf, Pisgat Ze'ev Mizrach, Jerusalem 97842, ISRAEL. Tel: 972 2 6563536 972 2 5833151 Fax: 972 2 5833152 email: [log in to unmask] Best regards and Kosher Passover, Eyal ----Forward message follows ---------------------- Many thanks for your email, and your interest in oat matzot. Here's the letter I sent you, which Rabbi Kestenbaum has now approved for you to publish:- TO: AYAL SHEFER AT: THE ISRAEL COELIACS ASSOCIATION FAX: 03 7518644 DATE: 11/3/99 RE: OAT MATZOT Dear Ayal, It was a pleasure to speak with you today regarding the oat matzot. I did discuss your two main concerns with Rabbi E. Kestenbaum, of Golders Green in London, these being:- 1. Cross contamination - you explained that although it is possible that oats contain a kind of gluten which coeliac's can tolerate, there is nevertheless a problem of cross contamination with other grains, in both the growing (crop rotation) and in the milling process, handling etc... 2. Very small amounts of gluten are also harmful - you mentioned the 'maximum dose level' of the American Coeliacs Society of 10 mg per day which is all too easy to exceed, due to the widespread use of gluten containing products (you mentioned the stamp glue). Rabbi Kestenbaum, who watches over the oats from the harvest, through milling and baking until they are sealed in their boxes, responded as follows:- 1. The farm they use in Scotland only grows oats, and has been in this business for many years. The amount of cross contamination in the fields and in the harvesting, if it exists at all, is therefore extremely small. The millers are also oat millers - and I understand do not process other grains - again cross contamination is not a significant possibility. The matzot are baked at Cohen Halpern in Jerusalem, where the machines are carefully cleaned between their regular flour production and producing the oat matzot. This is both for halachic and health purposes, and is strictly supervised by Rabbi Kestenbaum and other experienced supervisors. Furthermore the factory is not used for flour matzot production for several hours prior to the oat matozt production, which enables any wheat dust in the air to settle, which is then cleaned away in the cleaning of the machines, immediately prior to the baking.So, whereas there is a significant risk of cross contamination in the factory, this problem is addressed with considerable care. 2. We have been previously under the impression that oat matzot do indeed contain very small quantities of 'benign' gluten - and have made a point of instructing coeliacs to ask both their doctors and rabbis for advice regarding the suitability of these matzot. All the doctors knowledgeable in this field, with whom we have consulted, in the UK, the USA and here in Israel have approved the eating of one 'kzait' of oat matzot for Passover Seder - but we still have recommended that each individual ask their own doctor and rabbi. As I mentioned on the phone, the University of North London has now analysed the oat matzot, and found that gluten is 'absent'. I attach their report for your attention. These matzot are under the halachic supervision of the Bdatz of Manchester and the Rabbinate of Jerusalem and are 'smurah mish'at kzirah'. They are available at the following health food shops:- Mekor Hateva, 8 Strauss St. Jerusalem tl: 02-5384342 Haddasa, 2 Beit Yaakov, Mahane Yehuda, Jerusalem tl: 02-6245655 Mazon Min Hateva, 147 Rabi Akiva St. Bene Brak tl: 03-5793595 This whole operation is undertaken by Rabbi Kestenbaum and his organisation on a non-profit basis - and solely with the intention that people who are unable to eat wheat matzot for health reasons, can nevertheless fulfil the mitzva of 'achilat matza' on Pessach. If there is any further information I can supply you with, please feel free to call me. Best Regards, David L.Morris. P.S. Please note that aside from the stringencies required by halacha and regular health concerns, Rabbi Kestenbaum watches over the production of these oat matzot, in the knowledge that his daughter, who is an extremely sensitive coeliac, will be eating them on Seder night.... Best Regards, David. 15 Rehov Sherf, Pisgat Ze'ev Mizrach, Jerusalem, 97842, ISRAEL. Contact: David Morris. Tel: 972 2 5833151 and 6563536 Fax: 972 2 5833152 Email: [log in to unmask]