Copepods Sparked NYC Kosher-Water Dispute

New York City's otherwise safe tap water contains tiny crustaceans called copepods, creating a dispute over whether it is kosher and that observant Jews may drink it unfiltered. Some Orthodox rabbinic authorities permit the water, but others consider the visible organisms forbidden under Jewish dietary law. Because the issue remains disputed, the Orthodox Union requires filtration in OU-certified food-service establishments and advises individuals to consult their own Orthodox rabbi.

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