Question:
A person accidentally served hot macaroni and cheese directly from a dairy pot that was on the fire onto an expensive meat china plate. He also used a meat spoon to serve the food. The plate and spoon had not been used with meat within the previous 24 hours (aino ben yomo). What is the status of the plate, spoon, macaroni and cheese, and dairy pot?
Answer:
If the macaroni and cheese was Yad Soledes Bo and was transferred directly from a keli rishon onto the meat china plate, then the meat plate absorbs dairy taste and becomes forbidden. Likewise, the meat spoon that was used with the hot dairy food absorbs dairy taste and becomes forbidden.
Regarding the china plate, since chinaware cannot be kashered, it must no longer be used for food and is to be discarded. The meat spoon, if made of a material that can be kashered (such as metal), requires kashering before further use.
However, regarding the macaroni and cheese itself, as well as the original dairy pot, they remain kosher if the meat plate and meat spoon were not ben yomo (had not been used with hot meat within the previous twenty-four hours). In such a case, although the utensils require kashering (or disposal in the case of china), the absorbed meat taste is considered stale (pagum), and the food and dairy pot remain permitted.
Accordingly, in the case described:
- The meat china plate: Forbidden and cannot be kashered; it is to be discarded.
- The meat spoon: Requires kashering.
- The macaroni and cheese: Remains kosher.
- The dairy pot: Remains kosher and may continue to be used.
This ruling applies when the plate and spoon were not ben yomo. If either utensil was ben yomo, a Rav should be consulted, as the status of the food may be affected.
Sources:
Michaber Y.D. 94:8; Admur 451:66; Shach 94:33; Peri Chadash 94:30; Lechem Hapanim 94:35; Beis Lechem Yehuda 94:30; P”M 94 S.D. 33; Aruch Hashulchan 94:34; Zivcheiy Tzedek 94:56; Kaf Hachaim 94:79; See regarding applying Tatah Gavar by vessels: Rama 105:3; Shach 105:10; 105:23; Issur Viheter; Rashba; Tosfos;Rashal in Perek Gid Hanashe 45, brought in Shach 105:10; See Our Sefer: The Practical Laws of Meat & Milk, Chapter 8 Halacha 29B, “Meat cutlery and chinaware that came into contact with milk or vice versa”; Chapter 7 “Chinaware & Cutlery”; Chapter 8, laws of Ben Yomo versus Aino Ben Yomo and hot Yad Soledes transfers from a Keli Rishon.