Manischewitz: No Tam Tams by Passover

NEWARK, N.J., April 4 (UPI) -- U.S. kosher food manufacturer Manischewitz says an engineering malfunction will keep its popular Tam Tams crackers off the shelves until after Passover.

Manischewitz, based in Newark, N.J., said the bite-size crackers -- a popular snack for Jews observing rules banning products made with yeast during the Passover holiday -- are expected to hit shelves later this spring, but not in time for the start of Passover April 19 at sundown, the San Jose (Calif.) Mercury News reported Friday.

A Manischewitz spokesman told The New York Times the crackers account for $1 million to $2 million of the company's annual sales.

News of the kosher cracker shortage has left many Jews searching for a replacement product.

"This is huge, it's a dire emergency" said Susie Weitzman, an employee of the Jewish Community Center in Los Gatos, Calif. "My kids love Tam Tams. They eat them with tuna and crunch them up in their soup."