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.
May 22, 2023 - from Reuters
"Farmers in Kansas, the biggest U.S. producer of wheat used to make bread, are abandoning their crops after a severe drought and damaging cold ravaged farms.
"They are intentionally spraying wheat fields with crop-killing chemicals and claiming insurance payouts more than normal, betting the grain is not worth harvesting, Reuters found on a three-day tour of the state. Other growers are turning over dismal-looking fields to cattle for grazing.
"Abandoning fields will lead to a smaller U.S. wheat supply in the world's No. 5 wheat exporter, with stocks seen falling to a 16-year low. High rates of abandonment deal an economic blow to farm towns and force wheat buyers to adjust procurement plans by buying the staple grain elsewhere.
"Nationally, winter-wheat farmers plan to abandon 33% of the acres they planted, the highest percentage since World War I, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said in a May 12 report.
"Kansas farmers are expected to abandon about 19% of the acres planted last autumn, up from 10% last year and 4% in 2021, according to the report. But farmers, grain traders and representatives of major food companies who traversed the state on an annual crop tour last week warn of an even greater percentage of unharvested acres.
"Crop conditions point toward an outcome similar to 1989, when farmers did not harvest 28% of the wheat they planted, said Justin Gilpin, chief executive of the Kansas Wheat Commission and a tour leader.
"Soaring prices for hay also pressure wheat farmers not to harvest their fields for grain so they can be fed to cattle,
"Kansas farmers are expected to produce just 191.4 million bushels of wheat this year, the smallest since 1963, according to the latest monthly government forecast. Participants on the Wheat Quality Council tour projected an even smaller harvest of 178 million bushels.
"Farmers who pull the trigger on terminating their crops do so after watching fields struggle throughout the months-long growing season.
"Parts of Oklahoma are suffering too. In six northern counties, an estimated 65% to 70% of the crop will not be harvested, said Mike Schulte, executive director of the Oklahoma Wheat Commission."
May 31, 2023 - from Kosherfest.com
From Diversified Communications who have been running Kosherfest: "We have made the difficult decision to discontinue Kosherfest. Due to today’s changing supermarket category manager buying responsibilities and the elimination of the kosher buyer in many major supermarket chains, exhibitors feel Kosherfest has run its course and there is no longer significant ROI to justify exhibiting at the show."
"All exhibit space deposits received, will be refunded within the next 2 - 3 weeks."
May 21, 2023 - from the Jewish Press:
"Park Place Kosher has announced it will close its doors on Sunday night, June 4, after serving chicken, burgers, shwarma and more to customers for the past 16 years.
"No explanation for the decision was given.
"'We are not in a position to say anything at this time, but hopefully a new kosher meat restaurant will be taking over our space in the near future,' the restaurant owners wrote in a Facebook post".
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.
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.
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?
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.
"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."
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.
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."
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."
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