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.
March 2, 2017: From The YeshivaWorld:
Israeli "Border Police working with state veterinary inspectors located 3.5 tons of meat, some not stored in suitable conditions, which was all confiscated and an investigation launched, following which the meat will be destroyed."
"The meat was smuggled into Yehuda and Shomron from Brazil and made its way to the Atarot industrial park on Jerusalem’s northern border. It is pointed out the meat that was confiscated was not fit for human consumption and yet, it was being prepared to be shipped around the country."
February 26, 2017: From Jerusalem Post:
"The Chief Rabbinate has stated that it is considering the settlement of Efrat's kashrut procedures as a model for the rest of the country."
"But more than a decade ago, the system in Efrat was changed so that the local religious council, which employs kashrut supervisors, pays them itself and designates which of the 35 businesses requiring supervision around the town those supervisors will oversee." "The businesses themselves pay an hourly fee for the supervisor to Efrat’s religious council.The businesses themselves pay an hourly fee for the supervisor to Efrat’s religious council." This eliminates the corruption of the current system where the establishment being supervised pays the supervisor directly.
February 18, 2017: From MarketWatch:
"The countries best known for olive oil — Italy, Spain and Greece — have had bad harvests this year from unruly weather""and the prices for olive oil have jumped in response. Meanwhile, California has been steadily increasing its olive oil manufacturing, and implemented strict standards for the oil."
"More domestic players are joining the U.S. olive oil production business, which has seen a 9.2% increase in revenue over the past five years, and demand and revenue are expected to continue to rise through 2021, though at a slower pace, according to research firm IBISWorld. California alone makes up more than 99% of U.S. olive oil production, according to the California Olive Oil Council. "
Farmers must go through rigid certification testing by the California Olive Oil Council, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, including a chemical analysis of the oil as well as a sensory evaluation after every olive harvest. The California Olive Oil Commission, an industry group of olive farmers, created standards the California Department of Food and Agriculture approved in 2014."
February 22, 2017: From Arutz 7 and YeshivaWorld:
"Belgium's Wallonia District Constitutional Court ruled that slaughter of animals in accordance with Jewish law is permitted in Belgium and will continue to be permitted."
"A month ago, a few Wallonian senators came out against religious slaughter and attempted to pass a law forcing Jewish slaughterhouses to stun the animal before slaughtering it, despite the fact that this would invalidate the slaughter and cause it to be non-kosher."
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February 22, 2017: The CPSC:
Calphalon Corp., of Atlanta, GA is recalling Contemporary Cutlery knives because the blade on Contemporary Cutlery knives can break during use, posing a laceration hazard.
This recall involves Calphalon Contemporary Cutlery carving, chef, paring, santoku and utility knives sold individually and in sets made between August 2008 and March 2016. The models listed here are included in the recall.
Calphalon has received 27 reports of finger or hand lacerations; including four injuries requiring stitches. In addition, the firm has received about 3,150 reports of broken knives.
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled cutlery and contact Calphalon for a replacement cutlery product.
Sold At: J.C. Penney, Kohl’s, Macy’s and other stores nationwide and online at www.Amazon.com from September 2008 through December 2016. The recalled knives were sold from September 2008 through December 2016 for $25 for a single knife to $300 for a knife block set.
Consumer Contact: Calphalon at 800-809-7267 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or online at www.calphalon.com and click on “Customer Support” at the bottom of the page then "Recalls" for more information. About 2 million (in addition, about 7,000 were sold in Canada)
February 21, 2017: The CPSC:
SodaStream USA Inc., Mount Laurel, N.J. is recalling carbonating bottles because the bottles can burst under pressure, posing an injury hazard to the user or bystanders.
This recall involves SodaStream one liter, blue tinted, plastic carbonating bottles. “SodaStream” and “Dishwasher safe” are printed on the recalled bottles. Only bottles with an expiration date of “4/2020” printed on the warning label are included in the recall. The recalled bottles have a blue cap and blue bottom base.
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled carbonating bottles and contact SodaStream for a full refund. Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled carbonating bottles and contact SodaStream for a full refund.
Sold At: Bed Bath & Beyond, Target, Walmart and other stores and online at www.amazon.com and www.sodastream.com from February 2016 through January 2017 for about $15.
Consumer Contact: SodaStream USA toll-free at 866-272-9417 between 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or online at www.sodastream.com and click on the recall at the top of the page or www.sodastreamvoluntaryrecall.com for more information.
February 15, 2017: The YeshivaWorld:
"The associations representing Israel’s hotels and restaurants have petitioned the High Court of Justice against the Chief Rabbinate of Israel’s monopoly on kashrus. This follows the original petition filed by Jerusalem restauranteurs against the kashrus system."
February 14, 2017: The YeshivaWorld:
"hief Rabbi Dovid Lau Shlita has been in charge of the Rabbinate’s “nationwide kashrus” but signaled he cannot sign teudot kashrus in cases in which he does not have firsthand knowledge of the factory. The decision was made to place the responsibility in the hands of another, and after phone polling members of the Chief Rabbinate Council, Chief Rabbi of Ohr Akiva Rabi Eliyahu Iluz was approved." The Israeli Chief Rabbinate provides certification in areas where there is no local council and to Ben-Gurion airport.
February 10, 2017: The Bloombergand Specialtyfood.com
Poor weather in Spain and Italy have reduced olive oil output, which as increased prices internationally. In the United States, the strong dollar has reduced prices for consumers.
February 10, 2017: The CPSC
Restoration Hardware Inc., of Corte Madera, CA is recalling metal top dining tables because the table’s metal top can contain lead and presents a risk of lead exposure to children. Lead is toxic if ingested and can cause adverse health effects.
This recall involves Restoration Hardware’s Railroad Tie & Parsons Railroad Tie dining tables. The recalled tables are round or rectangular with thin sheets of zinc/dark gray color metal on the table tops. The item number is printed on a white sticker underneath the tabletop. Tables with the item numbers listed here are included in this recall.
Incidents/Injuries: Restoration Hardware has received reports of elevated blood lead levels in four children in two homes where a recalled table was present. One incident involving two children occurred in Cranston, R.I. and another incident involving two children occurred in Beverly Hills, CA.
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled tables, cover the tables and place the table out of the reach of children and contact Restoration Hardware to receive a free replacement table or a full refund.
Consumer Contact: Restoration Hardware toll-free at 888-728-8419 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or online at www.restorationhardware.com and click on Safety Recalls at the bottom of the page for more information.
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