There has been a new development in the controversy surrounding the consumption of kosher fish this week.  A new letter has been issued by Rav Elyashiv concerning his opinion about the consumption of fish with anisakis worm in the flesh.   The letter states Rav Elyashiv’s  unequivocal position that consuming the fish is a violation of a biblical prohibition.

There is something else in the letter, however, which is completely new.  The letter states that there is an obligation upon each Rabbiand Roshei Yeshiva  to promulgate and disseminate this information to their respective congregants.  The letter also contains a post-script penned by Rav Feivel Cohen that he was present and verifies the accuracy and veracity of the letter.

The letter was obtained by Rav Feivel Cohen Shlita last week when he visited Rav Elyashiv after his operation.  Rav Feivel suggested to Rav Elyashiv of the necessity of including the paragraph concerning the obligation to disseminate the information contained in the letter in order to counter the fact that numerous individuals were discounting the seriousness of the situation.

The letter is sharply worded against those authorities that permit the consumption of Anisakis infested fish.

Last month, the Five Towns Jewish Times reported about the two letters which appeared in the HaModiah.  One letter was signed by Rav Aharon Schechter, Rav Dovid Feinstein and Rav Feivel Cohen.  The other letter reiterated the position of the Orthodox Union that the fish was permitted and that Gedolim of the previous generation had permitted.

The letter will be released as soon as a new list of fish can be prepared.  In the meantime the following list can be used.

All types of fish with the Anisakis worm in their flesh may not be used. These include: Wild Salmon (e.g. Sockeye), Canned Salmon (wild).

Flounder: Yellow tail/ Wild Dabs/ Black Backs, Sole. At this time there are no known fresh or frozen flounder fillets that are acceptable, even if certified (e.g Dagim, Kinneret etc).

Wild Halibut, Sea bass a.k.a. Smoked Sable, Red perch, Scrod, Pollack, Cod, Turbot and Butterfish are all problematic.

All Farm Raised Salmon is acceptable.

Salmon: Wild: (Chinook) from British Colombia, New Zealand: May be used (they

are actually farm raised).

Tilapia, Carp, Pike, Herring fillet, Red Snapper, Tuna May be Used.

Fish products made from minced fish e.g. fish sticks are ok.

Lox are ok.

Halibut: Farm Raised is acceptable.

Cod :Farm Raised and Chatum are acceptable

Pollock : Chatum is acceptable

All Gefilte Fish is acceptable.

To recap:

Butter Fish: May NOT be used

Cod / Sable if Farm Raised or from Chatum: May be used

Cod /Sable (Smoked): May NOT be used

Flounder: Fluke, Georges Banks, Channel, Tilapia: May be used

Flounder: Yellow fin sole, Dabs,(wild), Black Back: May NOT be used

Hake: May NOT be used

Halibut: Alaskan, Pacific, Atlantic: May NOT be used

Halibut: Farm Raised: May be used

Pollock (Fresh & Frozen) from Alaska or China: May NOT be used

Pollock from Chatum:  May be used

Red Perch from Canada or Iceland: May NOT be used

Salmon Wild: Alaskan (Sockeye): May NOT be used

Salmon Wild: (Chinook) from British Colombia, New Zealand: May be used

Scrod: May NOT be used

Sea Bass a.k.a. Smoked Sable from Chili or Peru: May NOT be used

Sole (Yellow fin, rock sole): May NOT be used

Turbot: Canadian Frozen: May NOT be used

A video of the Anisakis can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTyxnO7uMpo.  Rav Vaya’s view permitting it can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMtQLb1YmLo