1. Question: [Monday, 27^th Teves 5781]

Does whey powder need to be Chalav Yisrael? There are many companies which carry an OUD on these products and would like to know if a person who generally only eats Chalav Yisrael may be lenient regarding whey powder being that it is a powder not a liquid?

Answer:

You should only consume whey powder that is Chalav Yisrael.

Explanation: Although we find debate amongst the Poskim as to whether powdered milk needs to be Chalav Yisrael, practically the arbitration of the Mehadrin Kashrus organizations is to require it to be Chalav Yisrael. Even the Chief rabbinate of Israel does not consider it akin to Chalav Yisrael, and requires that products such as these have written on them that they are made with powder of Chalav Nachri. Certainly, on a matter that the Rabbeim state that it can clog one’s heart and mind in service of G-d one should be stringent.

Sources: Poskim who are lenient: Har Tzevi Y.D. 113; Rav Yosef Mashash in Otzer Hamichtavim 3:1392; Shearim Hametzuyanim Behalacha 38 in name of Zekan Ahromn; Tzitz Eliezer 16:25; Yalkut Yosef 81:14; Poskim who are stringent: Chazon Ish Y.D. 41:4; Teshuvos Vehanhagos 1:141; 2:373; Rav Mordechai Eliyahu in Mamar Mordechai 1:155; See Avnei Nezer 103; Divrei Yisrael; Rav Yaakov Landau in a letter; See Shearim Hametzuyanim Behalacha 35 p. 218-Hakashrus 23-24