K A S H R U T . C O M_©

The following health alert is from the FDA on October 2, 2015.

Texas Star Nut and Food Co., Inc. VOLUNTARILY RECALLS Nature’s Eats, Natural Macadamia Nuts 6oz and Southern Grove, Simply Raw Trail Mix 8oz with the following lot codes because of a possible health risk:

BRAND	PRODUCT	SIZE	LOT CODES	BEST BY DATES
Nature's Eats	Natural Macadamia Nuts	6 oz	35897001 36157001 37777001	3/6/2016 3/12/2016 7/14/2016
Southern Grove	Simply Raw Trail Mix	8 oz	36242004 37534004 37409004 38177004	3/13/2016 6/26/2016 7/15/2016 8/17/2016

These products were distributed to Retail Locations in Texas, North Carolina, Florida, Georgia and Tennessee. The products were sold between 6/20/2015 and 9/9/2015. This notification is intended to inform consumers that may still have any of the above listed products in their possession.
The recall was as the result of a routine, random sampling program conducted by a FDA contracted lab which revealed that the Nature’s Eats Natural Macadamia Nut product contained Salmonella.
The company has ceased the distribution of this specific lot of macadamia nuts from the supplier.
Consumers who have purchased any of the above listed lot codes are urged to not eat or discontinue consuming the potentially affected product and contact the company at 1-844-571-5555 for refund or product replacement information from 8:30am to 5:30pm Monday-Friday, Central Standard Time.

The following insect infestation information is from COR Detroit on September 30, 2015.

"Bags of Unger's Pearled Barley that bear the code 9 28017 stamped on the side of the bag have been found to be infested and have been recalled. They should either be returned to the place of purchase, or should be checked very carefully. To check them, place a small pile of barley - an ounce or two at a time - on a white paper plate (not plastic, which creates a shine) with a very good overhead light that illuminates the plate. Use a finger or credit card to drag a small amount of barley away from the pile, spreading that barley in a single layer. Visually inspect the spread-apart barley, looking for black insects and white or tan worms between or under the kernels. Repeat this until the entire pile has been checked. Then do the same for the rest of the barley in the package."
"Consumers who will store barley or other grains for extended amounts of time are advised to store such products in the refrigerator or freezer in order to prevent infestation."

The following insect infestation information is from Hakhel Organization on September 10, 2015.

"BARLEY ALERT! Packaged barley may be subject to insect and worm presence or infestation through November, as the packages may be stored in warehouses for months, and eggs may even hatch within the package. By the following link, we provide evidence of this fact: http://tinyurl.com/p4zq56t For instance, bags of Unger’s barley lot number 05016 from different cases and checked by different mashgichim were found to be infested."
"We have been advised by a renowned Kashrus expert that the proper manner in which to check barley is as follows: Take a full handful of barley from a bag and check it on a white paper plate (not plastic, which creates a shine) with a very good overhead light which illuminates the plate. Slowly separate and swish the kernels looking for black insects and white worms. Checking on a dry surface, is more effective than placing the barley into water and looking for movement."

The following peanut allergy alert is from the FDA on September 22, 2015.

Tastee Apple, Inc. issues allergy alert on undeclared peanuts in 3-ounce packages of Tastee Apples Plain Caramel Apples because they may contain undeclared peanuts.
The recalled “Plain Caramel Apples” were distributed in eight states (OH, PA, MD, MA, NY, TX, NJ, IN) in retail stores.
Note that this was not a product quality-issue and only involves Plain Caramel Apples with the specific UPC 35266-00027 and code date of 9 29 mentioned below.
The product comes in a 3-ounce, clear-plastic package marked with UPC 0-35266-00027-3 and an expiration date of 9 29 stamped on the front label. Some packages were mislabeled, and the Plain Caramel Apple include peanuts which are not listed in the ingredients on the labels. The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the peanut-containing product was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of peanuts. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the company's production and packaging processes
Production of the single pack Plain Caramel Apple product has been suspended until a label correction can be made to the Plain Caramel Apple label.
Customers who purchased the 3-ounce packages of Plain Caramel Apple listed above are urged to discard them and take their receipt to the store where purchased for a refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at Tastee Apple, Inc., customerservice@tasteeapple.com; Phone: 740-498-8316 (between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday)

The following kashrus alert is from Kosherquest.org on September 20, 2015.

Raphys and Kosher Bazaar are no longer certified by Kehillah.
Kehilla bakeries except for muffins are Yoshon.
Kehilla only certifies as Yoshon items from their bakeries but not items in the restaurants.

The following South African kashrus alert is from the Beth Din of Johannesburg on September 22, 2015.

Whey Nougat Protein Bars marketed by Sensational SA, carry an unauthorised Beth Din logo along with the word ‘’Parev’’. These products are not certified. Corrective action is being taken.