K A S H R U T . C O M_©

NY Reusable Plastic Bag Ban Goes Back Into Effect

October 18, 2020 from the Hamodia

"New York’s plastic bag ban, which first went into effect on March 1, and was on pause for seven months due to COVID and a pending lawsuit by Poly-Pak Industries, Inc., goes back into effect Monday, following a seven-month pause. In August, the New York State Supreme Court ruled that the law could go into effect on October 19th. DEC agreed in court to provide at least 30 days’ notice prior to commencing enforcement."

"The DEC asserts that New Yorkers use an estimated 23 billion plastic bags annually, which are generally used for an average of 12 minutes, with approximately 85% of the plastic ending up in landfills, recycling machines, waterways, and on the streets."

NY State's Plastic Bag Ban Upheld By State Supreme Court

August 21, 2020 from the Gothamist

"A lawsuit against New York's statewide plastic bag ban was struck down by the state Supreme Court."

"The ban for single-use plastic bags went into effect on March 1st, but the pandemic delayed enforcement of the environmental measure. At the time, some stores even banned customers from bringing in their own reusable bags. Enforcement began again in mid-June."

"A number of groups, including a plastic manufacturer and the Bodega Association, sued earlier this year, claiming the law was "unconstitutional and inconsistent," in addition to causing them financial harm, especially during the pandemic."

"State Supreme Court Justice Gerald W. Connolly said that state's ban was legal, but did take issue with the state's exemption that allows retailers to offer thicker plastic bags. Environmental advocates had worried that the carve-out, or "loophole," would encourage stores to make bags of 10-mil thickness (one mil is one-thousandth of an inch; 10 mils is one-hundredth of an inch, or about 10 pieces of paper thick). According to Bloomberg Law, 'Connolly... agree[d] that the department went beyond its authority in setting the minimum thickness for acceptable bags at 10 mils, calling the action 'invalid'... California set its minimum thickness at 2.25 mils.'"

"He did write, "It remains, of course, within the province of the Legislature to enact legislation to the extent it seeks to expand the list of 'exempt bags.'""

Poland will end its kosher and halal meat export industry in 2025

October 14 2020 from the JTA

" Poland’s senate passed a law that will end its $1.8 billion kosher and halal meat export industry in 2025. Religious communities will still be able to slaughter meat without prior stunning, as is required by Jewish and Muslim law, as long as the meat is not for export."

"A vote Wednesday approved the law that was introduced last month in the government’s lower house and was originally intended to go into effect in 2022."

"Poland has about 20,000 Jews and a similar number of Muslims. The bulk of its many kosher and halal slaughterhouses produce meat for export. Critics say that killing animals without stunning them is cruel; proponents of the practice say it is relatively painless."

"Polish farmer and meat producer unions successfully fought to have the law postponed in connection with the economic crisis brought on by the coronavirus pandemic."

"Poland is a major provider of kosher meat to the rest of Europe and beyond."

Battle Over Animal Rights Virtually Brings Down the Polish Authorities

October 7, 2020 from the In Fleum

"When the European Union condemned Poland’s authorities for demonizing gays and lesbians, the nation’s governing coalition defiantly stood collectively. When state media was accused of spreading hate speech that fueled violence, the governing events dismissed issues. And when protests erupted towards efforts to regulate the judicial system, they pressed forward regardless."

"Then got here the minks."

"Proposed laws that will ban the farming of minks, semiaquatic mammals prized for his or her fur, and put in place a spread of protections for different animals, opened deep divisions within the coalition that just about introduced down the federal government."

"It took the intervention of Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the top of the dominant Legislation and Justice Get together, to quell the rebellion for now by taking up a proper position that allowed him to behave as a buffer between opposing factions."

"The invoice, which gained momentum after a documentary aired on Polish tv displaying minks residing in deplorable circumstances on one farm, has widespread public assist and the leaders of the nation’s foremost opposition social gathering assist the laws."

"However in championing animal rights, Mr. Kaczynski sees a chance."

"The problem additionally appears private for Mr. Kaczynski, who has lengthy been recognized for his affection for animals. When his beloved cat, Alik, died, it was nationwide information. The 71-year-old, who shuns practically all requests for interviews exterior of supportive media shops, even went on TikTok to put up a video promoting the #StopFurChallenge."

"Mr. Ziobro’s opposition to the ban on mink farming displays the trade’s deep roots in Poland. The nation is house to the most important mink farms left in Europe and the third largest on the planet. The invoice, which continues to be being debated, requires the fur farms to be closed in a yr."

"The legislation would additionally finish using wild animals in circuses, prohibit the tethering of canine on chains — a typical follow within the countryside — and prohibit the ritual slaughter of animals for meat."

"The invoice can also be opposed by the meat trade, which says its export enterprise to markets with halal and kosher necessities could be badly hit."

"Jacek Zarzycki, president of the Polish Affiliation of Beef Cattle Breeders and Producers, stated that if the invoice had been handed, his members may lose 30 % of their earnings."

Establishments with a Sukkah 5781 (2020)

• List of Kosher Miami Establishments with a Sukkah is here
• List of cRc Establishments with a Sukkah is here
• Boston Restaurants with a sukkah: Pure Cold Press and Cafe Eilat (from the KVH)
• OU certified Restaurants with a sukkah: Le Marais, Mr. Broadway, Rothschild TLV, Basil, Wall Street Grill, Citron & Rose, Reserve Cut, Milk n' Honey and 613, UN Plaza, Grill Point. (from the OU)
• Montreal: The Vaad is not certifying Sukkahs during the pandemic. (from the MK)
• Toronto: COR establishements with a sukkah: Chicken Nest, Aromae Espresso, Haymishe Bakery

Ed. note: Additional information will be added as it becomes available.
This list is non-complete. Contact the restaurant to confirm.

DMM VISSION, S.A. DE C.V. Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Cleaner Hand Sanitizer 500 mL and 1200 mL Bottles Due to the Possible Presence of Undeclared Methanol (Wood Alcohol)

September 30, 2020 from the FDA

Estado de México, México, DMM VISSION, S.A. de C.V. is voluntarily recalling five lots of Cleaner Hand Sanitizer, 500 mL and 1,200 mL plastic clear bottles with white tops currently in US distribution to the consumer level. This recall is being initiated out of abundance of caution due to detection of methanol (wood alcohol) in hand sanitizer sample manufactured at the same facility.

The product is used as a hand sanitizer and are packaged in 500ml and 1200ml plastic clear bottles with white tops. The lot numbers are LC2020407, LC2020408, LC2020502, LC2020504, LC2020507. This product was first distributed nationwide to wholesale distributors on April 27, 2020 and finished on June 9th, 2020. The recalled products are as follows:

Consumers with questions regarding this recall can contact DMM VISSION by phone (+52) 5547578351 or email to dmmvissionrecall@yahoo.com on Monday through Friday from 9 am and 5 pm, CST. Consumers should contact their physician or healthcare provider if they have experienced any problems that may be related to taking or using this drug product. Consumers/distributors/retailers that have the above listed lots Cleaner Hand Sanitizer should stop using or distributing the products immediately and mail the products to 700 County Line Rd., Lakewood, NJ, 08701.
Contact Name: José Álvarez
Phone Number: (+52) 5547578351