K A S H R U T . C O M_©

Seattle: City’s Only Kosher Restaurant Closes

August 3, 20120 - from Yeshiva World:

"The only kosher restaurant in the city of Seattle closed its doors over the weekend."

"Bamboo Garden, a vegetarian Chinese restaurant that catered to a broad clientele, was the first restaurant in Seattle to become kosher almost 30 years ago, a boon for Orthodox residents since the observant community is too small to support a restaurant that caters only to those who keep kosher. It closed due to coronavirus woes as well as the owner’s wish to retire."

"Seattle is home to over 60,000 Jews and fortunately, there are still several kosher restaurants in the suburbs. However, according to Resmovits, those restaurants are all vegetarian and the closest kosher fleishig restaurant to Seattle is several hours away, in British Columbia."

LABORATORIOS JALOMA S.A. de C.V. Issues Voluntary Recall of the Jaloma Antiseptic Hand Sanitizer Due to the Potential Presence of Undeclared Methanol

August 1, 2020 from the FDA

LABORATORIOS JALOMA S.A. de C.V. is voluntarily recalling all lots and all bottle sizes of the Jaloma Antiseptic Hand Sanitizer, Ethyl Alcohol 62% With vitamin E to the consumer level. This recall has been initiated because FDA sampled the 500 mL product and found it to be contaminated with undeclared methanol (wood alcohol). Although the contamination was linked to the 500 mL product, due to the abundance of caution, Jaloma is recalling all lots of all sizes within expiry. The NDCs, lot #s, and expiration dates are listed in the table below.

The product is used as a hand sanitizer for hand washing to decrease bacteria on the skin when soap and water are not available. The products are distributed in a 4 fl oz (120 mL) Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) plastic bottle and a 16.9 fl oz (1.06 pt) (500 mL) PET or High-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic bottle. Product is labeled with a red logo with the word Jaloma written in white letters. The product was distributed throughout the United States. It was imported to one (1) wholesaler and two (2) distributors.

Each product contains a lot number and expiration date stamped directly on the bottle or on the label of the 16.9 fl oz HDPE bottle in the format below. See table for lot numbers of each individual bottle.

• 0007834
• EXP0522

Consumers with questions regarding this recall can contact LABORATORIOS JALOMA S.A. de C.V. during business hours: 9:00am – 5:00pm (CT) Toll Free: + 52 1 800 120 0202 Email: asuntosregulatorios@jaloma.com.mx

4e Brands North America Issues Expanded Nationwide Voluntary Recall of Hand Sanitizer Due to Potential Presence of Undeclared Methanol (Wood Alcohol)

July 24, 2020 from the FDA

San Antonio, Texas, 4e Brands North America is voluntarily recalling all lots of Hand Sanitizer brands to the consumer level. These products are being recalled due to the potential presence of methanol (wood alcohol).

Consumers with questions regarding this recall can contact 4e Brands North America LLC during business hours: Monday - Friday 08:00 am - 5:00 pm EST at:

Toll Free: 888-843-0254
FAX: 888-214-7430
Email: 4EBrands8797@stericycle.com Event 8797

The Blumen Hand Sanitizer 17 oz punp product was recalled by BJ's. Recall info is here.

Costco is recalling item # 1876544, Blumen Hand Sanitizer 33.8 oz. between May 11, 2020 and July 19,2020.

USDA Investigates Packages of Unsolicited Seeds from China

July 23, 2020 from USDA:

USDA is aware that people across the country have received suspicious, unsolicited packages of seed that appear to be coming from China. USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is working closely with the Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection, other federal agencies, and State departments of agriculture to investigate the situation.

USDA urges anyone who receives an unsolicited package of seeds to immediately contact their State plant regulatory official or APHIS State plant health director. Please hold onto the seeds and packaging, including the mailing label, until someone from your State department of agriculture or APHIS contacts you with further instructions. Do not plant seeds from unknown origins.

At this time, we don’t have any evidence indicating this is something other than a “brushing scam” where people receive unsolicited items from a seller who then posts false customer reviews to boost sales. USDA is currently collecting seed packages from recipients and will test their contents and determine if they contain anything that could be of concern to U.S. agriculture or the environment.

USDA is committed to preventing the unlawful entry of prohibited seeds and protecting U.S. agriculture from invasive pests and noxious weeds. Visit the APHIS’ website to learn more about USDA’s efforts to stop agricultural smuggling and promote trade compliance.

Virus Can Travel 26 Feet at Cold Meat Plants With Stale Air

July 23, 2020 from NewsMax:

"Cold and stale air conditions allowed coronavirus particles to travel more than 8 meters (26 feet) at a German slaughterhouse, a study showed, giving an insight into how meat plants turned into hotspots for infections across the world."

"Researchers reconstructed the likely cause of the outbreak at a Toennies Group slaughterhouse in Rheda-Wiedenbrueck, where about 1,500 workers contracted the virus. Similar conditions at plants globally are a reason they’ve become virus epicenters, according to the report from groups including the Helmholtz Center for Infection Research."

"Meat plants from the U.S. to the U.K. and South America have seen the rapid spread of the virus, infecting thousands of employees who often work in close proximity on processing lines. Dozens of workers have died, and labor advocates have said that a lack of social distancing could continue to put people at risk. Outbreaks also forced American meat plants to close earlier this year, sparking some protein shortages."

"Meanwhile, China is ramping up testing of imports of cold food for the virus. Even as global scientific experts say that the likelihood of transmission through food is extremely low, the Asian country has slapped export bans on some abattoirs with cases, further fueling the urgency to contain the disease."

"The Toennies outbreak likely began from one employee in May and was largely transmitted in the plant’s dismantling area, where rooms are often chilled to 10C degrees (50 Fahrenheit). Chilly air circulated without frequent changes -- coupled with a strenuous work conditions -- helped particles move large distances."

"Under these conditions, a distance of 1.5 to 3 meters between workers isn’t sufficient to prevent transmission."