K A S H R U T . C O M©

The Premier Kosher Information Source on the Internet


HOME | ALERTS | CONSUMER | COMMERCIAL | PASSOVER | TRAVEL | ZEMANIM | LINKS | ARTICLES | RECIPES | HUMOR | E-MAIL LIST
x
Kashrut.com uses cookies. By using kashrut.com, you consent to the practices described in our Privacy Policy. That's Fine.

Subscribe to get e-mail when this site is updated
for: from:
to
 
Shop Artscroll and support Kashrut.com
 

Food News


THIS SECTION IS FOR NEWS AND INTERESTING STORIES RELATED TO FOOD, NUTRITION AND FOOD PROCESSING. THEY ARE NOT NECESSARILY RELATED TO KOSHER BUT MAY BE OF INTEREST TO THE KOSHER CONSUMER, MANUFACTURER OR MASHGIACH.

Newer news

CPSC Warns Consumers to Immediately Stop Using Topfun Folding Step Stools Due to Fall and Injury Hazards; Sold Exclusively on Amazon.com

February 29, 2024 from the CPSC :

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is warning consumers to immediately stop using Topfun Folding 2-Step Stools because they can collapse or tip over during use, posing fall and injury hazards to consumers.

The seller, FuTai Household Supplies, of China, has not responded to CPSC’s request for a recall. Consumers who purchased the product will receive this notice directly.

There have been 39 reports that the step stools collapsed, tipped over or became unstable during use, including 13 reports of injuries including a concussion, fractures, and soft tissue injuries.

The step stools are made of black or white plastic and measure about 17 inches tall, 15-1/2 inches wide, and 13 inches deep. The first step is about 8 inches high, and the top step is about 17 inches high. The step stools were sold exclusively on Amazon.com from November 2021 through July 2023 for between $24 and $62. CPSC urges consumers to stop using the step stools immediately and dispose of them.

The previous item can be cited with the URL: https://www.kashrut.com/News/?alert=W1516

Cascade Designs Recalls Camping Cooking Pots Due to Burn and Scald Hazards

February 22, 2024 from the CPSC in conjunction with Government of Canada:

MSR camping cooking pots have been recalled because the pot handle can detach or become loose, posing burn and scald risks to consumers from hot food and liquids spilling from the product.

Consumer Contact: Cascade Designs Inc. at 800-531-9531 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or online at https://www.msrgear.com/pot-recall.html or https://www.msrgear.com and then click on the “Recall Header” at the top of the page.

Description: This recall involves select Cascade Designs camping cooking pots. The anodized aluminum pots are various 1- to 2-liter pots sold individually and as a part of stove systems and kits. The recalled models include Reactor, Trail Lite and PocketRocket Stove Kits. MSR is written on the side of the pots.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled camping cooking pot, and contact Cascade Designs for instructions on submitting a photo of the product to receive a free replacement pot handle/lifter. The replacement pot handle/lifter does not require tools to install.

Incidents/Injuries: The company has received 22 reports of the pot handle either detaching or becoming loose, including two reports of burn injuries.

The previous item can be cited with the URL: https://www.kashrut.com/News/?alert=W1515

American Kashrus vs. Israeli Kashrus- link to video

February 20, 2024 from the OU:

"During the recent AKO (Association of Kashrus Organizations) Executive Summit in Israel, one of the community panel discussions, which included our Kashrus Administrator, Rabbi Sholem Fishbane, was about the differences between American kashrus and Israeli kashrus. We invite you to watch or listen at https://torahanytime.com/lectures/281604."

fyi: The video is 1 hr, 48 min.

The previous item can be cited with the URL: https://www.kashrut.com/News/?alert=W1514

Kosher MRE’s for the IDF, Made With Texan Love

February 14, 2024 from the OU:

The OU certified a specialty run of baked items at Sterling Foods LLC, a local company that specializes in military contracts and MRE’s (meals ready to eat). This OU Kosher facility produced specific items for the IDF in partnership with the Chief Rabbinate of the IDF. The baked goods would need to meet the stringent kashrus level of the IDF, with all items pareve, pas Yisroel and yoshon.

"To date, close to two million kosher-certified items have been shipped and air lifted to the front lines of Israel’s war. These items include energy bars, shortbread cookies, split bread, cinnamon buns, tortillas, bagels and others coming down the pike."

The previous item can be cited with the URL: https://www.kashrut.com/News/?alert=W1513

Red nets signal 'stop' to insect pests, reduce need for insecticides

February 14, 2024 from the Science Daily:

"Changing the color of commonly used agricultural nets lessens insect damage to Kujo Leek fields. Kp>"Red nets are better at keeping away a common agricultural insect pest than typical black or white nets, according to a new study. Researchers experimented with the effect of red, white, black and combination-colored nets on deterring onion thrips from eating Kujo leeks, also called Welsh onions. In both lab and field tests, red nets were significantly better at deterring the insect than other colors. Also, in field tests, onion crops which were either partially or fully covered by red netting required 25-50% less insecticide than was needed for a totally uncovered field. Changing agricultural nets from black or white to red could help reduce pesticide use and the related negative impact it can have on the environment, while supporting more sustainable and effective agricultural practices."

The previous item can be cited with the URL: https://www.kashrut.com/News/?alert=W1512

UPSIDE Foods’ large-scale cultivated meat plant on hold until it delivers key proof points at smaller site

February 15, 2024 from the AgFunderNews.com:

"Less than five months after announcing its first commercial-scale cultivated meat plant in Glenview, Illinois, UPSIDE Foods has hit pause on its Chicagoland plans and is instead focusing on expanding its far smaller ‘EPIC’ site in Emeryville, California.

"According to emails sent to staff by UPSIDE Foods founder and CEO Dr. Uma Valeti that were leaked to tech publication WIRED, UPSIDE has also made “selective role eliminations” and “other changes” as it stops “non-critical” work and conserves capital to extend its runway.

"he startup, which has raised $608 million since 2015, shared publicly as recently as January 4 that it was “building a commercial facility to enable the next level of scale,” but is now holding fire at Glenview until it has “delivered key proof points” at its EPIC facility, according to emails sent by Valeti to staff.

"he fact that a startup is prudently cutting back to extend its runway during a challenging funding environment may not appear to be especially newsworthy in the current climate.

"However, the fact that UPSIDE had only just announced the new plant and is now hitting the pause button could dampen confidence in the firm, the performance of which is fairly or otherwise regarded as a proxy for the wider cultivated meat industry given the vast sums it has raised to date and its status as an industry pioneer.

"Believer Meats, which is building what it claims is the “largest cultivated meat production facility in the world” in Wilson, North Carolina, says its expects to be “fully operational in 2024” although it has not yet secured regulatory approvals to sell cultivated meat products in the US.

"UPSIDE has acknowledged that its whole cut technology (for which it has regulatory approval) is not yet ready for prime time, telling AgFunderNews last June that its chicken fillets were still being made in 2-liter flasks. However it recently shared bullish comments about the performance of its hybrid approach, whereby it grows cell biomass in suspension in 2,000-L bioreactors and then combines it with plant-based meat to create processed products such as nuggets and patties."

"Nick Cooney at foodtech investor Lever VC added: 'To me this doesn’t stand out as a good or bad sign… We’ve seen lots of companies across the cultivated, fermentation, and plant-based space cutting back on staff and planned capital expenses in light of the shift in fundraising environment, so it’s not surprising that UPSIDE would do the same.'"

The previous item can be cited with the URL: https://www.kashrut.com/News/?alert=W1511

Starbucks unveiled braised pork latte in China for Lunar New Year

February 20, 2024 from the Euromeat:

"Starbucks is betting on that unusual combination with a new drink released in China to mark the Lunar New Year. Dubbed the “Abundant Year Savory Latte,” the brand describes it as having an “interesting” flavor.

"The drink combines Dongpo Braised Pork Flavor Sauce with espresso and steamed milk, with extra pork sauce and pork breast meat for garnish, according to Starbucks.

"The drink combines Dongpo Braised Pork Flavor Sauce with espresso and steamed milk, with extra pork sauce and pork breast meat for garnish, according to Starbucks."

The previous item can be cited with the URL: https://www.kashrut.com/News/?alert=W1510

BRS and BULin Liquid Fuel Bottles Recalled Due to Risk of Poisoning, Burn, and Flash Fire; Violation of the Children’s Gasoline Burn Prevention Safety Act and the Portable Fuel Container Safety Act; Sold Exclusively on Amazon.com by WAOLi

February 15, 2024 from the CPSC :

BRS and BULin Liquid Fuel Bottles have been recalled because the portable fuel bottles do not meet the child-resistant requirements for closures under the Children's Gasoline Burn Prevention Act (CGBPA). The closure for the products is not child-resistant, posing a risk of burn and poisoning to children. The 530mL BRS bottle was manufactured after the Portable Fuel Container Safety Act (PFCSA) became effective and lacks a flame mitigation device, posing a flash fire hazard.

Consumer Contact: Email at lyuxia3k@163.com or online at their Amazon seller profile, Amazon.com Seller Profile: WAOLi.

Description: This recall involves WAOLi’s BRS and BULin portable liquid fuel bottles manufactured from February 2023 to July 2023, sold individually and as a pair. The BRS bottle is orange with a black cap and was sold in 500mL, 530mL, and 750mL capacities. The BULin bottle is red with a red cap and was sold in 1500mL capacity. “BRS” or “BULin,” the bottle’s volume, warnings, and/or directions appear in white lettering on the bottles.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled fuel bottles and place them out of reach to children. To receive a full refund, WAOLi is asking consumers to initial and date the bottles, and then submit a photo of them in the trash along with their refund request.

The previous item can be cited with the URL: https://www.kashrut.com/News/?alert=W1509

Electrolux Group Recalls Frigidaire Rear-Controlled Ranges Due to Electrical Shock and Electrocution Hazards

February 15, 2024 from the CPSC in conjunction with Government of Canada:

Frigidaire rear-controlled ranges have been recalled because the control panel (user interface) on the ranges can detach from the unit, posing electrical shock and electrocution hazards.

Consumer Contact: Electrolux Group toll-free at 877-232-6822 from 8:30 a.m. through 8 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, by email at rangeuirecall@electrolux.com, or online at www.rangeuirecall.com or www.frigidaire.com and click on “Recall Information” at the top of the page for more information.

This recall involves select Frigidaire brand rear-controlled ranges produced from October 2023 through November 2023 with electronic control panels and the following model and serial numbers within these ranges here.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled Frigidaire rear-controlled ranges and contact Electrolux Group for a free repair/professional installation of a new control panel. Consumers should not use the range while awaiting the service call. Consumers should unplug the unit until repaired by an authorized servicer.

Sold At: Lowe’s and other appliance stores nationwide and online from October 2023 through December 2023 for between $790 and $1,050.

The previous item can be cited with the URL: https://www.kashrut.com/News/?alert=W1508

Char-Broil Recalls Digital Electric Smokers Due to Risk of Electric Shock

February 15, 2024 from the CPSC in conjunction with Government of Canada:

Digital Electric Smokers have been recalled because the smokers can leak electrical current during use, posing an electric shock hazard.

Consumer Contact: Char-Broil toll-free at 833-206-4647 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET Monday through Saturday, email at recall@charbroil.com, online at www.charbroil.com and click on “Product Recalls” under “Parts & Support” or www.charbroil.com/recalls for more information.

This recall involves Char-Broil digital electric smokers with the following model descriptions: Digital Electric Smoker; Digital Electric Smoker w/Window; Digital Electric Smoker, Black w/Window; Digital Electric Smoker, Medallion; Digital Electric Smoker, Connected; and Digital Electric Smoker, XL. These electric smokers were designed and intended only for outdoor use to cook without charcoal. The smokers were sold in black and stainless-steel finishes. The “Char-Broil” logo plate is on the front of the unit. The product label is located on the outside back of the unit and includes the model and serial numbers and brand information. UPC codes, located on the packaging, are included in this recall with the model description and item numbers here :

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled electric smokers and contact Char-Broil for a free repair kit. The repair kit consists of a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (“GFCI”) plug (also known as a “pigtail”), a clamshell enclosure to secure the GFCI pigtail, and a cable clamp. Instructions for installing each of these repair kit items will also be provided.

Incidents/Injuries: Char-Broil received 79 reports of consumers who experienced a minor electric shock from touching the smokers while in use, including one report of a consumer developing a finger blister after the shock.

Sold At: Lowe’s, Menards, Ollie’s Bargain Outlet, Target and other stores nationwide, and online at Amazon.com, HSN.com and Charbroil.com from April 2015 through January 2024 for between $300 and $600.

The previous item can be cited with the URL: https://www.kashrut.com/News/?alert=W1507
Older news

The information posted is from secondary sources. We cannot take responsibility for the accuracy of the information.
Comments to webmaster@kashrut.com 
© Copyright 2024 Scharf Associates
Phone: (781)784-6890 
E-mail: ajms@kashrut.com
URL: "http://www.kashrut.com/"
 
Arlene J. Mathes-Scharf  
Food Scientist - Kosher Food Specialist
 
Scharf Associates
P.O. Box 50
Sharon, MA 02067