K A S H R U T . C O M_©

September 16, 2019 from the Food Dive and Food Navigator:

• "Research unveiled at the recent Good Food Conference suggested the term "cultivated meat" might be the best way to describe products made in a lab from animal cells." "Looking at the method by which the meat is grown, calling the vessel a 'cultivator'- which conjures up the cultivation of plants - is more appealing to consumers than 'bioreactor'".
• "Several terms tested during the terminology project done by The Good Food Institute and Mattson - including "clean meat," "cell-based meat" and "lab-grown" — faced problems with consumers. Researchers found "clean meat" confuses them and seems to claim conventional meat is dirty. "Cell-based" doesn't poll well with shoppers, and "lab-grown" comes with marketing challenges."
• "Not all manufacturers in this space are behind the term "cultivated meat." Eric Schulze, Memphis Meats' vice president of product and regulation, told Food Navigator the company would continue using the term 'cell-based meat" because it is "factual, inclusive and neutral.'"
• "Regardless of this terminology dispute, the final decisions about labeling terms for meat and poultry products made in a lab from animal cells will be up to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, while the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will handle the seafood side. Those discussions have started, yet little progress has been made on guidelines for manufacturers to follow. Time will tell how the market reacts once those terms are standardized."

Offering children a variety of vegetables increases acceptance

September 4, 2019 - from the IFT and Journal of Nutrition Education and Behaviour

"lthough food preferences are largely learned, dislike is the main reason parents stop offering or serving their children foods like vegetables. A new study in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior demonstrated that repeatedly offering a variety of vegetables increased acceptance and consumption by children."

"Researchers recruited 32 families with children between the ages of four and six where low consumption of vegetables was reported. Parents completed an online survey and attended an information meeting prior to participating. Three groups were created: children introduced to a single vegetable; children to receive multiple vegetables; and a group where eating habits were not changed."

"Study data were collected in several ways: two dinner meals served at the research facility during which children could eat as much of the broccoli, cauliflower, and green beans as they wished; changes to actual vegetables consumed at home, childcare, or school recorded through food diaries; and parents reporting on usual vegetable consumption."

"Families introducing one vegetable served broccoli and families trying multiple vegetables served broccoli, zucchini, and peas. Parents were provided with a voucher to purchase the vegetables and given instructions on portion size and cooking instructions along with tips on how to offer the vegetables. Children were served a small piece of vegetable three times a week for five weeks. A sticker was given as a reward to children trying a vegetable."

"The researchers found that vegetable acceptance increased for both the single and multiple vegetable groups during the intervention. Families that offered multiple vegetables recorded an increase in consumption from 0.6 to 1.2 servings, while no change in consumption was observed in families serving a single vegetable or families that did not change their eating habits. Increased acceptance for multiple vegetables was noted during the five weeks of the study and sustained at three-month follow-up."

Shatnez in Oven Mitts

September 4, 2019 - from the Star-k:

Cuisinart brand oven mitts, product of China, pictured with label stating "100% Polyester Filling", contain a shatnez filling. They are not pure polyester; they contain wool and linen. In general, oven mitt fillings should be checked for shatnez, especially if made in China. Silicone mitts without a filling do not require checking.Cuisinart brand oven mitts, product of China, pictured with label stating "100% Polyester Filling", contain a shatnez filling. They are not pure polyester; they contain wool and linen.
In general, oven mitt fillings should be checked for shatnez, especially if made in China. Silicone mitts without a filling do not require checking.

Duped In The Deli Aisle? 'No Nitrates Added' Labels Are Often Misleading

August 29, 2019 - from NPR and Consumer Reports:

"Many health-conscious consumers look for products with words like "no nitrates added" or "uncured" on the packaging" believing them to be healthier.

A new Consumer Reports report finds that deli meats with those labels actually contain similar levels of nitrates as meats that don't carry these labels.

"Part of the explanation lies in federal labeling rules for processed meats. When hot dog or bacon manufacturers use natural curing agents, such as celery powder, in lieu of synthetic sodium nitrite, they can be required to use terms such as "no nitrates added" and "uncured." In other cases, food manufacturers may add these claims voluntarily, perhaps for marketing reasons."

Consumer Reports tests found that cold cuts containg celery powder or containing added nitrates had similar nitrate and nitrite levels.

"There is little evidence that preserving meats using celery is any healthier than other added nitrites."

"A body of evidence suggests that processed meats are linked to elevated cancer risk. Experts think part of the problem is the nitrites used to cure them. 'All nitrites can be converted in the food, during cooking, or in the body to nitrosamines, which are carcinogenic.'"

Truly nitrite-free cold cuts are grey and have a off flavor and last as long as a similar piece of meat.

Whirlpool Recalls Glass Cooktops with Touch Controls Due to Burn and Fire Hazards

August 28, 2019 - from CPSC in conjunction with Healthy Canada:

Whirlpool, KitchenAid and JennAir brand glass cooktops with touch controls have been recalled because the recalled cooktop surface elements can turn on by themselves, posing burn and fire hazards.

This recall involves cooktops with a glass cooking surface, touch controls, radiant and downdraft radiant models sold under the Whirlpool, KitchenAid and JennAir brands with the following model numbers. They were manufactured from December 2016 through July 2019. The brand name is printed on the cooktop and the model number and serial numbers are printed on the underside of the cooktop. The model numbers beginning with K are KitchenAid models, the model numbers beginning with W are Whirlpool models, and the model numbers beginning with J are JennAir models.

Consumers should immediately contact Whirlpool to arrange for a free installation of a replacement cooktop. When not in use, turn the unit off at the circuit breaker. Do not leave flammable materials or empty cookware on or near the cooktop.

Consumer Contact: Whirlpool toll-free at 888-900-7897 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or online at repair.whirlpoolcorp.com. Consumers can also visit either www.whirlpool.com, www.kitchenaid.com, or www.jennair.com and click on “Recall Information” at the bottom of the page for more information.