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.
July 2, 2023 - from the YNet:
"Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich temporarily removed the import tax on milk on Sunday following a market-wide shortage in Israel.
"'To handle the shortage, the minister offers to remove the import tax for a three-month period until October,' The minister’s office said in a statement."
Article in Hebrew from Israel HaYom is here.
"According to sources in the Treasury and the Tax Authority, the expectation is that the milk will be imported from European countries, among others from Poland, and it is about importing kosher - Chalav Yisrel."(Translation by Google Translate).
June 28, 2023 - from the Food Matters Live:
"Molecular farming food ingredient company Moolec Science has successfully developed a technology which can grow pork protein in soybeans.
"Using its new technology called ‘Piggy Sooy’, Moolec’s team was able to grow up to 26.6% of total soluble porcine protein in soy seeds, which is four times more than the company had initially projected. As a result, the soybeans have a visible pink hue that matches the colour of real pork meat.
"Moolec says the recent achievement proves plants have the potential to operate as ‘animal protein factories’.
"Following the success of Piggy Sooy, the company plans to file a new patent for its molecular farming-based technology, which should help to make the regulatory pathway more straightforward in the future.
"Founded in 2020, Moolec Science has been working for several years to develop meat proteins in plants, which can be used to improve the taste, texture, appearance, and nutritional profile of meat alternatives. In addition to soybean, it is figuring out ways to grow animal protein in safflower and pea. It says the enhanced functionality of plants means they could potentially be used for applications in the traditional meat processing industry."
June 27, 2023 - from the Jewish Press:
"Matzah bakeries in New York City that use wood or coal as fuel for their ovens could be facing an expensive new requirement to attach emissions-control devices to the equipment.
"NYC Department of Environmental Protection drafted new rules requiring traditional wood-burning and/or coal-burning ovens installed prior to May 2016 to reduce emissions by up to 75 percent.
"In addition, it would be necessary to hire an engineer or architect to install the needed emissions-control device.
"At least some of the matzah bakeries in Brooklyn are fueled by wood or coal.
"Many of the city’s decades-old, top pizzerias use coal or wood-fueled ovens to bake their pies, and so do at least some of the city’s matzah bakeries.
"Residents living in the Williamsburg neighborhood have complained for years about smoke wafting from a local matzah bakery run by Satmar Hasidim. The oven at the bakery is fueled by coal.
"Another Brooklyn matzah bakery, this one also allegedly run by Satmar Hasidim in the Bushwick neighborhood, also uses a coal-burning oven – and neighbors have complained this year about the smoke from that one as well. The bakery is not operating at present – it closed right after Pesach – but it’s expected to start up again to produce its handmade shmurah matzah sometime this winter, ahead of the Passover holiday."
June 26, 2023 - from the Jewish Press:
"Alternative for Germany – AfD – a right-wing populist political party known for its opposition to membership in the EU and to immigration, on Sunday won a district council election in the district of Sonneberg, Thuringia, in central Germany.
"With about 57,000 residents, Sonneberg is one of the smallest districts in Germany, but the AfD victory––the first ever in its history––is seen as a major breakthrough for the party.
"In March 2021, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) placed AfD under surveillance as a suspected extremist group, but the courts blocked it. In 2022, the BfV was allowed to monitor AfD as a suspected extremist group, and the party’s appeal was dismissed by the court over “sufficient factual indications of anti-constitutional efforts within the AfD.” And so, to date, the AfD is under constant surveillance, its phones are tapped and probed, and it is definitely the boogeyman of German politics. And on Sunday the party won an election for the first time.
"According to Politico, AfD supports a ban on circumcision for non-medical reasons for underage individuals, suggesting that the practice composes a “serious violation of fundamental rights.”
"And according to the Jerusalem Post, AfD supports a ban on kosher slaughter in Germany, as well as on the 'import and sale of kosher meat.'"
"Björn Höcke, the AfD’s leader in Thuringia, said the win demonstrated the party’s momentum, and promised: “And then we’ll prepare for the state elections in the east, where we can really create a political earthquake.” He was, referring to state parliament elections in the eastern states of Saxony, Thuringia, and Brandenburg."
June 22, 2023 from the CPSC :
Boost The Mood Ceramic Mugs are mislabeled as microwave safe. If microwaved, the metallic print on the mug can spark, posing a fire hazard.
Consumer Contact: Michael Giordano International toll-free at 833-870-6579 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, email at information@mgiordano.com or online at www.ceramicmugrecall.com for more information.
This recall involves 10-ounce ceramic mugs in navy blue with a gold metallic handle and “Boost The Mood” in gold lettering. A white, round label on the bottom of the mug describes it as “microwave safe.” The recalled mugs were sold as part of a promotional set including socks, hand cream and foot cream. Only the mug is affected by this recall.
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled ceramic mugs and contact Michael Giordano International to receive a $10 cash refund for the value of the ceramic mug. Consumers will be directed to dispose of their mugs after successfully registering for the recall.
Sold At: Exclusively at Ulta Beauty stores nationwide and online at www.ulta.com as part of a promotional set, including socks, hand cream and foot cream from October 2022 through March 2023 for about $16.
June 20, 2023 from The Food Dive:
"Around 40% of the U.S. beef herd still remained under drought conditions as of the week of June 6, according to the USDA. However, recent rainfall and lower feed prices have allowed production to increase at a faster-than-expected rate.
"The USDA raised its beef production outlook in June, although production is still expected to decline more than 8% in 2024. Packing plants will need to compete for a smaller supply of slaughter-ready cattle to fill their schedules, the agency said."
June 21, 2023 - from the CNN Business:
"Cultivated meat, also known as lab-grown meat, has been cleared for sale in the United States.
"Upside Foods and Good Meat, two companies that make what they call “cultivated chicken,” said Wednesday that they have gotten approval from the US Department of Agriculture to start producing their cell-based proteins.
"Good Meat, which is owned by plant-based egg substitute maker Eat Just, said that production is starting immediately. Cultivated or lab-grown meat is grown in a giant vat, much like what you’d find at a beer brewery.
"Last week, Good Meat and Upside said they had received approval for labels for its product from the USDA. In March, Good said it had received a so-called “no questions” letter from the Food and Drug Administration. That letter states that the administration is satisfied that the product is safe to sell in the United States. The FDA issued a similar letter Upside Foods in November.
" Good Meat, which has been selling its products in Singapore, advertises its product as “meat without slaughter,” a more humane approach to eating meat. Supporters hope that cultured meat will help fight climate change by reducing the need for traditional animal agriculture, which emits greenhouse gases.
"The company had previously announced that it was partnering with chef and restaurateur José Andrés to bring the item to a Washington, DC restaurant. It is working with his team on a launch but doesn’t have specific information on timing at this point, according to a company spokesperson. As production ramps up, Good Meat may consider partnering with other restaurants or launching in retail, he added."
June 14, 2023 - from the PR News:
" UPSIDE Foods, the leading cultivated meat, poultry and seafood company, announced today that it obtained label approval for its cultivated chicken from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). With an approved label in hand, UPSIDE Foods is now working with USDA to obtain a Grant of Inspection (GOI) for its Engineering, Production, and Innovation Center (EPIC), the last remaining item in the pre-market regulatory process before the company can commercially produce and sell its cultivated chicken in the United States. The label uses the term 'cell-cultivated chicken.'
"As a cultivated meat product grown directly from real animal cells, UPSIDE's Chicken is subject to the same labeling requirements as conventionally-produced meat products. UPSIDE Foods has now demonstrated full compliance with all pre-market requirements for labeling and can begin commercial production and sales as soon as it obtains a GOI from USDA. UPSIDE's chicken will proudly bear the USDA mark of inspection on its packaging after it passes USDA inspection.
"After completing the next and final regulatory step, UPSIDE's cultivated chicken will be launched in limited quantities through select restaurant partners.
" In addition, UPSIDE will continue its work with FDA and USDA to bring its next consumer products to market, including sausages, nuggets, and dumplings."
November 16, 2022 - from the FDA:
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) completed its first pre-market consultation for a human food made from cultured animal cells. We evaluated the information UPSIDE Foods submitted to the agency and have no further questions at this time about the firm’s safety conclusion. The firm will use animal cell culture technology to take living cells from chickens and grow the cells in a controlled environment to make the cultured animal cell food.
The FDA's pre-market consultation with the firm included an evaluation of the firm’s production process and the cultured cell material made by the production process, including the establishment of cell lines and cell banks, manufacturing controls, and all components and inputs. The voluntary pre-market consultation is not an approval process. Instead, it means that after our careful evaluation of the data and information shared by the firm, we have no further questions at this time about the firm’s safety conclusion.
More information is here
November 16, 2022 - from the FoodDive:
"Upside Foods and the U.S. have both reached a milestone with this approval. Not only is Upside Foods a step closer to selling cultivated chicken, but the U.S. could soon have a new kind of meat available for consumers to choose.
"Upside Foods, founded in 2016 as Memphis Meats, was one of the first companies in the cultivated meat space.
"It also is the one that’s closest to being able to produce meat at scale. Just over a year ago, Upside opened a 53,000-square-foot facility in the San Francisco Bay Area that will be able to make 400,000 pounds of meat a year — enough to serve some restaurant customers.
"Through this approval, the FDA is showing its commitment to supporting innovation in the food supply. The statement stressed that the FDA’s first priority is safety. Food made with cultured animal cells, the agency wrote, must meet the same stringent requirements as other food regulated by the FDA.
"For meat and poultry products, the FDA ensures products are produced in a safe manner. After the meat is harvested from the bioreactor, it enters the USDA’s jurisdiction — just like any animal meat product."
June 12, 2023 - from Anash.org
"A free service by the Association of Kashrus Organizations (AKO) will assess a camp’s kashrus infrastructure and guide camps in maintaining proper kashrus standards throughout the summer.
"Summer camps play a critical role in our children’s chinuch, and the food services provided at camps are a major part of the summer experience. While camps strive to ensure that the level of kashrus provided matches the camp’s standard, maintaining proper kashrus in such a large operation can indeed be challenging.
"To this end, the Association of Kashrus Organizations (AKO) created a free initiative to help camps implement proper standards at no cost. Bringing together a team of leading experts from the most respected agencies, they will analyze and assess a camp’s kashrus infrastructure and provide guidance to ensure that the level of kashrus is maintained throughout the summer.
Common questions include:
"The process is simple: camps fill out a short questionnaire, schedule a virtual consultation with an AKO kashrus professional, receive an initial assessment, schedule an onsite visit from a kashrus professional, and receive a follow-up assessment. If applicable, they will also receive training sessions for camp kitchen personnel.
"The AKO organization itself does not give any kosher certification or endorsements; however, the Camp Kashrus Initiative provides invaluable assistance to maintain proper kashrus in summer camps. There is no charge for this service. Camps have the option of obtaining follow-up visits from an AKO kashrus professional during the camp season and a kashrus workshop for the staff and/or campers for a fee.
"For more information or to begin the process, interested camps can email AKO at camps@akokosher.org or call/text (617) 651-1584.
June 1, 2023 - from Bloomberg Law
"Inorganic arsenic in apple juices shouldn’t exceed 10 parts per billion under guidance finalized by the FDA Thursday—nearly a decade after the agency first proposed the limit.
"The final guidance contains nonbinding recommendations for juice manufacturers. It is another step in the Food and Drug Administration’s “Closer to Zero” action plan, which includes planned goals to help lower early childhood exposure to toxic heavy metals as much as possible.
"he agency has prioritized apple juice, baby foods, and other products commonly consumed by young children, due to studies that have linked early heavy metal consumption to slowed development and other serious health issues.
"Food safety analysts have identified inorganic arsenic, a particular form of arsenic, as one of the greatest concerns in baby foods, and a 2019 review of 14 studies on inorganic arsenic published in Chemical Research in Toxicology found consistent evidence demonstrating a link between early exposure to the heavy metal and an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis.
May 25, 2023 - from Food and Beverage Insider
"Bills introduced to the New York State Assembly and the Senate (A06424 and S06055-A) intend to prohibit five commonly used food additives. The move by the New York legislature follows a proposed ban of ingredients in California. Lawmakers in both states have arbitrarily decided that brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propyl paraben, red dye No. 3 and titanium dioxide are unsafe.
"If the bill passes in either state, enforcement will begin on January 1, 2025. The impact on food manufacturers will be felt nationally as reformulation and relabeling will be needed if any product could potentially enter a state where this law is in effect.
"NY A06424 makes the argument, “The science behind the health effects of increased consumption of such additives is shedding new light on just how dangerous some of them can be. This legislation protects New Yorkers from five of the most pervasive and harmful food additives … The recognition by the federal Food and Drug Administration of any of these substances as safe may not be alleged as a defense.”
"Industry maintains that scientific oversight has ensured the safety of these ingredients. In a letter written in opposition to California Assembly Bill 418 (AB 418) on March 13, 2023, a coalition of industry members voiced strong opposition to the bill. 'The United States Federal Government has a comprehensive food safety process that reviews food additives,” they wrote. “All five of these additives have been thoroughly reviewed by the federal and state systems and many international scientific bodies and continue to be deemed safe.'
Both bills in New York have been referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
"California bill, AB 418, is advancing through the state Senate where it has been referred to the Assembly Health Committee."
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