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

Empower Brands Recalls PowerXL Stuffed Wafflizer Waffle Makers Due to Burn Hazard

May 18, 2023 from the CPSC in conjunction with Heathy Canadians:

PowerXL Stuffed Wafflizer waffle makers have been recalled because hot pieces of the waffle or stuffing can be expelled from the waffle maker during use or upon opening the product, posing a burn risk to consumers.

Consumer Contact: Empower Brands toll-free at 866-276-0063 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday, email at wafflizerrecall@brandprotectplus.com or online at www.prodprotect.com/recall/wafflizer or https://powerxlproducts.com and click on “Safety Recalls” at the top of the page for more information.

This recall involves PowerXL Model ESWM02 (five inch) and Model ESWM03 (seven inch) Stuffed Wafflizer waffle makers. The waffle makers were sold in 11 colors including black, white, red, cinnamon, gray, lavender, lemon, ocean, slate, seafoam and sage. The PowerXL logo is located on top of the waffle maker. The product measures approximately 5 inches in diameter (Model ESWM02), or 7 inches in diameter (Model ESWM03). The model numbers and date codes are printed on a tag attached to the power cord, with all date codes included in this recall.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled PowerXL Model ESWM02 (five inch) and Model ESWM03 (seven inch) Stuffed Wafflizer waffle makers and contact Empower Brands to receive a free latch adaptor part and written instructions to complete the repair.

Sold At: Walmart, Kohls, Big Lots, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Best Buy, The Home Depot, Target, Sam’s Club and other home goods stores nationwide and online at www.QVC.com, www.walmart.com, www.kohls.com and other websites from July 2021 through October 2022 for between $30 and $60.

The previous item can be cited with the URL: https://www.kashrut.com/News/?alert=W1410

Kell Electronic Recalls Personal Chiller Mini Gamer Refrigerators Due to Burn Hazard

May 18, 2023 from the CPSC :

Personal Chiller Mini Fridge Gamer Beverage Refrigerators with LED Lights have been recalled because the refrigerator’s power cord can overheat, posing a burn hazard.

Consumer Contact: Kell Electronic USA Inc. toll-free at 888-860-9989 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, email at recall@kellelectronic.com or online at https://www.personalchiller.com/recall or https://www.personalchiller.com/ and click on “Recall” located at the top of the page.

This recall involves Personal Chiller Mini Fridge Gamer Beverage Refrigerators with LED Lights. They have a matte black finish exterior, lighted LED door and a remote control that has mood lighting effects. The LED lights were sold in red and blue colors. Model number K1000BK is on the back of the refrigerator. The refrigerators are 15.7 inches tall, 11.7 inches deep and 8.5 inches wide.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled refrigerator and contact Kell Electronic to receive a full refund or a replacement cord. Once unplugged, the firm is asking consumers to use scissors to cut the cord, take a photo of the cut cord then throw the cord away. Consumers will need to submit the photo to the firm to receive the full refund or replacement cord.

Sold At: Walmart stores nationwide and online at Walmart.com as well as secondhand stores and websites from September 2022 through January 2023 for about $60.

The previous item can be cited with the URL: https://www.kashrut.com/News/?alert=W1409

Supreme Court ruling upholding California’s animal welfare law could lead more states to act

May 17, 2023 from The Food Dive:

"Producers of meat, eggs and other animal items are being advised more restrictive state laws may be coming after last week’s 5-4 decision affirming the ban on pork from farms using gestation crates.

"A decision by the U.S. Supreme Court last week to uphold a California law banning the sale of pork from farms that confine pregnant pigs in gestation crates could have a widespread impact on the way states regulate the production of meat and eggs, according to legal experts.

"The verdict provided a legal win for animal welfare advocates across the country who are eager to pursue statewide bans on livestock being grown in small enclosures.

"The court accepted animal welfare as a “legitimate state interest,” other states follow suit with their own laws."

Ed note: Could this affect shechta?

The previous item can be cited with the URL: https://www.kashrut.com/News/?alert=W1408

ADM joins with Air Protein to make meat analogs out of thin air

May 18, 2023 from The Food Dive:

"Archer Daniels Midland is partnering with Air Protein to help the food tech startup make healthy food out of thin air."

The two companies have entered a strategic development agreement in which ADM will lend its researchers, ingredients insight, technologies and strategy to help Air Protein develop products for commercialization. The partnership also includes mutually exclusive rights for ADM and Air Protein to collaborate to build and operate a commercial-scale Air Protein plant. ADM has previously invested in Air Protein with its venture arm co-leading the company’s $32 million Series A funding round in 2021.

"Air Protein is built on 1960s-era NASA research to use hydrogenotrophs — common microbes, some of which actually live in the human gut — to turn carbon dioxide into a physical protein. The research, done during the early days of space travel, had been shelved for decades. Dyson rediscovered the research, proved and perfected it. She and co-founder John Reed started Air Protein to eventually turn this protein into consumer products.

"Air Protein is leaning into what makes it truly unique, Dyson said: The fact that it’s completely disconnected from farms or any other traditional supply chain.

"Air Protein is working on several product lines. The company has long been planning to launch meat analogs — including Air Chicken and Air Seafood — made from the protein they produce.

"But they’re also looking to become an ingredient provider. Dyson said they plan to sell protein ingredients to food companies as dependable supplier of protein that can add nutrition to products and boost sustainability. Dyson said Air Protein’s ingredients can help companies meet their Scope 3 emissions goals, which require sustainable suppliers.

"Air Protein is still working on building up its scale and getting approval for its products, so it’s unclear when any products — meat analogs or ingredients — may launch.

"The company has done its scientific research and affirmed itself that the protein it makes keeps with the FDA’s generally recognized as safe standards, Dyson said. The company has submitted the research to the FDA and is awaiting a GRAS ruling from the government.

"Earlier this year, Air Protein opened its first manufacturing facility in San Leandro, California. Dyson calls it an Air Farm because it is capable of producing large amounts of food without needing any farmland

"However, as Air Protein’s technology and scale increase, the small facility won’t have the capacity to make a large quantity of ingredients. The agreement with ADM also involves building a commercial-scale facility. Dyson said the companies are currently aligning their timelines and technological know-how, as well as discussing what is best for both ADM and Air Protein to start the preliminary phase of planning."

The previous item can be cited with the URL: https://www.kashrut.com/News/?alert=W1407

World Market Recalls Cocktail Shakers Due to Laceration Hazard

March 11, 2023 from the CPSC in conjunction with Heathy Canadians:

Gold Metal and Ribbed Glass Cocktail Shakers have been recalled because the glass cocktail shakers can crack and break during use, posing a laceration hazard.

Consumer Contact: World Market toll-free at 877-967-5362 from 7 a.m. to 12 a.m. ET, Monday through Sunday, email at CustomerCare@worldmarket.com or online at www.worldmarketcorp.com/product-recalls/ or www.worldmarketcorp.com and click “Product Recalls” on the bottom of the page for more information.

This recall involves Gold Metal and Ribbed Glass Cocktail Shakers, which were sold with a metallic-gold stainless steel lid. The cocktail shaker is made of glass with a subtle ribbed texture. The UPC number 26165837 is displayed on a sticker on the bottom of the shaker.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled cocktail shakers and contact World Market for a full refund. Consumers can return the product to a local World Market store or submit a photo of the recalled cocktail shakers and state that the product will be properly disposed of and no longer be used. No receipt is needed to receive a refund.

Sold At: World Market stores nationwide and online at www.worldmarket.com from August 2022 through April 2023 for about $25.

The previous item can be cited with the URL: https://www.kashrut.com/News/?alert=W1406

Israeli Company Announces First-Ever 3D Printed Fish

May 5, 2023 - from Food Quality and Safety:

"An Israeli food-tech company says it has produced a 3D-printed fish product made with animal cells grown in a laboratory.

"Steakholder Foods has partnered with Singapore-based Umami Meats to develop a scalable process for producing structured cultivated fish products using its 3D bio-printing technology and customized bio-inks. The printing and bio-ink customization are steps on the path to commercializing Steakholder Foods’ 3D printer. Unlike fully cultivated meat products that still require incubation and maturation after printing, the grouper fish product is ready to cook after printing.

Since receiving grouper fish cells from Umami, Steakholder Foods is working on the taste and texture of its printed grouper before finalizing a prototype. Umami says that the product mimics the flaky texture of cooked fish.

Umami hopes to bring the fish to market next year, starting in Singapore."

The previous item can be cited with the URL: https://www.kashrut.com/News/?alert=W1405

Carrefour opens 50 stores in Israel on Tuesday

May 9, 2023 - from Globes:

"Electra Consumer Products plans opening 80-100 Carrefour branches around Israel by the end of 2023.

"Fifty branches of Yeinot Bitan, Mega, and Super around Israel have been closed yesterday and today and will reopen tomorrow at midday as Carrefour stores. For more than a year Electra Consumer Products (TASE: ECP), which has the Carrefour franchise in Israel, has been working on the festive opening of the new chain asa well mas all the logistics and marketing and from tomorrow there will be a major ad campaign. Carrefour's online sales site will also start operating tomorrow. The company has invested NIS 250 million in the launch.

"Israel will be the 50th country in which Carrefour operates which is why the company was pushing for 50 branches to open on the first day of operations here. Carrefour already operates 14,000 branches in 49 countries across Europe, the Middle East, East Asia, Africa and South America with annual sales of €81 billion. The company has hundreds of factories producing 14,000 different food products under 20 brands.

"Overall Electra Consumer Products plans opening 80-100 branches around Israel by the end of 2023. Each branch will sell over 1,000 different products in 80 categories including 400 food products including organic food products and 600 non-food products including cleaning products and toiletries.

"There will be three formats for branches: Carrefour City (neighborhood stores); Carrefour Market (medium-sized stores); and Carrefour Hyper (discount stores).

"In the first stage there will be three Carrefour Hypers in Ra'anana, Netanya and Beit Shemesh - each about 2,500-4,000 square meters in size compared with 1,200 square meters for the Carrefour Market stores."

The previous item can be cited with the URL: https://www.kashrut.com/News/?alert=W1404

Looking For Kosher Lettuces and Greens? They're Not So Easy To Find Right Now

May 4, 2023 - from the Baltimore Jewish Life:

"BJL readers have expressed concern over the current seeming shortage of Kosher certified salads typically otherwise available in abundance at local stores and restaurants. BJL reached out to STAR-K for comment on this matter. We learned that due to the changing seasons in the growing regions, there is currently short supply and high infestation levels in many lettuces and greens. As such, consumers are advised that many regular certified options are not presently available or otherwise in short supply. Please check labels carefully for a proper hashgocho. If you are checking lettuce or greens yourself, please be extra careful to be sure you are checking properly. While this change happens annually and always presents similar challenges, it seems the transition is taking slightly longer this year due to the weather conditions over the last few weeks. Hopefully the situation will improve over the next few weeks as the new growing season in California begins."

The previous item can be cited with the URL: https://www.kashrut.com/News/?alert=W1403

Israel Changing Electric Appliance Standards to Help Lower Prices

May 3, 2023 - from the Jewish Press:

"Israel’s Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Israel Katz submitted Wednesday to the Knesset’s Economy Committee a request to adopt the European standard as the exclusive regulation for the import of electrical appliances to Israel and to cancel the unique Israeli regulation which has much stricter standards that limit the models which can be imported into the country.

"This move is intended to increase competition and bring down prices in the electrical appliance market in Israel, which is estimated at over 10 billion Shekels ($2.72 billion) per year. The reform will lower the cost of importing electrical appliances, increase competition in this economy and facilitate the parallel import of appliances.

"In addition, electrical appliances with a higher level of energy efficiency will arrive in Israel, something that will lead to a reduction in household electricity consumption, a reduction in the cost of living and a reduction in pollution and emissions.

"The reform also allows any importer of an electrical appliance to Israel (which is included in the reform) to do so without the mandatory physical inspection in a certified laboratory to check for conformity to the Israeli standard before importation.

"As an alternative to the physical inspection, the importer must declare that the imported device meets the European legal requirements and provide the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure with documents proving this. It must also provide an energy rating label, where required."

The previous item can be cited with the URL: https://www.kashrut.com/News/?alert=W1402

Remilk gets first regulatory permit in Israel to sell cow-free milk

April 27, 2023 from the Times of Israel:

"Food tech startup says health ministry’s ‘historic’ approval found its animal-free milk protein to be ‘safe, of high-quality, and identical to its cow-derived counterpart’

"Israel has granted local food tech startup Remilk, a developer of cultured milk and dairy, the first regulatory approval of its kind to market and sell cow-free milk products to consumers in the country.

"The Israeli-based startup said that the “historic” regulatory approval by the country’s health ministry clears the path for the sale of dairy products made with Remilk’s non-animal protein that are free of lactose, cholesterol, antibiotics and growth hormones.

"Founded in 2019, Remilk produces milk proteins via a yeast-based fermentation process that renders them “chemically identical” to those present in cow-produced milk and dairy products. The startup claims that the result is 100 percent similar to “real” milk. Remilk recreates the milk proteins by taking the genes that encode them and inserting them into a single-cell microbe, which they manipulated genetically to express the protein. The product is then dried into a powder.

"Earlier this year, Remilk won regulatory approval to sell its cow-free milk in Singapore and a letter from the US Food and Drug Administration that its animal-free whey protein can be safely used in food products. That’s after the company started sales of its protein in the US last year.

"Remilk, which has raised more than $130 million in capital from investors to date, in July inked a large-scale commercial agreement with the Central Bottling Company (CBC Group), the exclusive Israeli franchisee of Coca-Cola, to roll out a line of dairy drinks, cheeses, and yogurts made with its protein, for the Israeli market within 12 months pending the regulatory approval.

"There are a number of companies operating in the dairy alternative space for milk proteins using precision fermentation technology, such as Israeli startup Imagindairy which says its technology recreates nature-identical, animal-free versions of whey and casein proteins that can be used to produce dairy duplicates. Another one is Pigmentum, which has developed a gene-modified plant-based technology to create milk proteins from lettuce that can be used to make cheese."

The previous item can be cited with the URL: https://www.kashrut.com/News/?alert=W1401
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