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.
April 3, 2025: from the Jewish Link:
"A few months ago, signs were plastered across haredi neighborhoods in Jerusalem—including one directly in front of my apartment building—declaring that “Anyone who enlists (in the IDF), will eat treif.” Whether these billboards are intended to be literal or hyperbolic, at a minimum, they reflect an assumption that kashrut in the army is significantly substandard. In reality, the kashrut standards maintained in the army are often higher than those of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel and, in fact, often rival those of the mehadrin kashrut agencies, something which the mehadrin kashrut agencies attest to themselves.
"The IDF has always provided kosher food to its soldiers, but the past decade has seen the IDF undergo a quiet revolution in this area. Under the leadership of IDF Chief Rabbi Eyal Krim and former IDF Rabbinate head of kashrut Rabbi Chaim Weissberg, kashrut standards have seen unprecedented advancement. To learn more, I sat with the most recent head of the IDF Rabbinate’s kashrut division, Rabbi Neria Rosenthal, who served in the position throughout the war until his retirement this January. In fact, some of what is written here is being published for the first time.
"For starters, as more religious people draft to the army, the IDF Rabbinate receives greater resources to enhance the kashrut standards of military food provisions. Back in 2019, it expanded its kashrut workforce, deploying additional supervisors to military facilities and food contractors. The IDF Rabbinate recruited rabbis with specialized training to oversee specific kashrut domains including imported products, green vegetables, and ritual slaughter. The military completed this transition in 2022, implementing a policy ensuring all meat served throughout the entire military meet glatt kosher requirements (chalak). On army bases with haredi units, all meat is glatt kosher l’mehadrin, supervised by higher-level kosher certification agencies. Even on those bases, for soldiers who request the highest civilian kashrut standard, Badatz Eidah Haredit, that is provided as well.
"After years of investing in strengthening the relationships between the IDF Rabbinate and other army branches, the army’s logistics division eventually consented to having the IDF Rabbinate approve all food items—from oil to meat to spices. Every food shipment entering an IDF base undergoes meticulous inspections, one of which is a kashrut inspection. IDF rabbis personally verify kashrut certifications and conduct thorough examinations of incoming supplies. This vigilance has proven effective. “Just weeks ago,” Rabbi Rosenthal said, “an entire truckload of pasta was rejected after inspectors discovered bug infestations during their routine checks. And the inspection does not stop there—all foods considered to be at risk for bug infestation are inspected thoroughly in the kitchen.”
"What’s more, if this were to reoccur multiple times, the supplier knows their entire contract is at risk. Why? This gets to the underlying factor behind much of the higher standards: the leveraging of economic influence. Since the war began, the IDF has been the largest food consumer in Israel, feeding nearly 500,000 people per day! Even in peacetime, the IDF is one of the country’s largest food consumers. As such, when choosing its culinary contractors, the IDF Rabbinate requires high standards, yet faces no resistance. After all, any company wants to land this mega contract.
On the other side of the coin, even after a contract is signed, if a company starts cutting corners or is found to be remiss in one of its kashrut requirements, the IDF Rabbinate can cut the contract immediately, knowing that other wholesalers will be more than happy to fill the gap. In fact, this represents a significant benefit over civilian kashrut, even high-level kashrut, because when a civilian kashrut agency suspects negligence, it is liable to tolerate the issue longer than it should since the kashrut agency itself has an interest in not losing business. Rabbi Rosenthal relates that this phenomenon has actually raised kashrut standards across Israel, as many of the IDF’s suppliers also supply civilian customers, and due to the IDF Rabbinate’s insistence on various standards, those civilian customers benefit from the higher standards as well.
"Importantly, it isn’t just the IDF Rabbinate saying its own food meets a high kosher standard. Many of the most-respected kashrut agencies in Israel, widely recognized as reliable certification, even according to haredi standards, have issued their stamp of approval. This includes the Orthodox Union (OU), Rav Yosef Efrati, Rav Machpud, and Chasam Sofer-Petah Tikvah. My neighbor—a haredi fellow who enlisted in November 2023 and has since served 300-plus days of reserve duty—has arranged meetings between leading haredi rabbis who, after being presented with the IDF Rabbinate’s standards, offered their stamp of approval as well. This includes Rav Yosef Chevroni (dean of Chevron yeshiva), Rav Yitzchak Ezrachi (dean of Mir Yeshiva), Rav Yitzchak Zilberstein and Rav Berel Povarsky (both serve on the Moetzes Gedolei Torah), Rav Yitzchak Grossman, and Rav Asher Weiss."
"After extensive efforts, Rabbi Rosenthal reports, that policy was finally changed so that the kashrut supervisor reports to a senior commander on the base. As well, a kashrut supervisor who sees intentional disregard of the IDF’s kashrut standards can report it to Rabbi Rosenthal, who can then cut that kitchen commander’s purchasing power until corrective action is taken. This establishes mirtat, a concept in Jewish law which recognizes external deterrents as a basis for trust in adherence to established guidelines.
"Here, too, the IDF’s system is now advantageous in relation to civilian kashrut in Israel, where, surprisingly enough, kashrut supervisors are employed by the restaurant or hotel that they supervise. Imagine the scene in a hotel kitchen: The kashrut supervisor sounds the alarm regarding a kashrut issue, only to be informed politely that if he’s not quiet, he’ll be out of a job. Certainly, one hopes the kashrut supervisor will act with integrity, but the financial pressures are not conducive to it.
"For the IDF, adherence to high kashrut standards enables everyone to eat together in the mess hall and, thus, is a fulfillment of its foundational value of reut, roughly translated as a deep sense of camaraderie."
April 3, 2025 from World Israel News:
"Despite Israel dropping all remaining tariffs on US goods, Trump administration imposes across the board 17% tariffs on all Israeli goods, accusing Israel of 'stealing a lot of intellectual property.'
"Israel was slapped with a sweeping 17% tariff, despite a last-minute decision by the Israeli government to drop all remaining tariffs on American goods.
"Ahead of Trump’s address at the signing ceremony, an administration official explained to reporters why the White House was imposing elevated tariffs on Israel, accusing the Jewish state of intellectual property violations. 'Israel steals a lot of intellectua' property from, for example, the pharmaceutical manufacturers in this country,” the official said."
April 1, 2025 from Times of Israel:
"Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Tuesday signed a directive to scrap all remaining tariffs on imports from the US with immediate effect, in an apparent attempt to win a reprieve from the Trump administration’s levy of reciprocal duties expected to be announced Wednesday.
"The order was coordinated with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Economy Minister Nir Barkat, but is subject to final approval by the Knesset Finance Committee.
"In a letter sent on March 20 to Barkat and Agriculture Minister Avi Dichter, Smotrich asked for the removal of tariffs on products from the US, mainly in the area of agriculture, as reciprocal and sectoral tariffs on US trading partners are set to be imposed on April 2 by the US administration.
"srael and the US signed a free trade agreement in 1985. Under the agreement, the US and Israel implemented phased tariff reductions, eventually leading to the almost complete elimination of duties on manufactured goods in 1995. However, the agreement does allow the US and Israel to maintain some import and tariff restrictions, like quantitative restrictions and fees on agricultural products, mainly to safeguard local production and food security.
"Customs duties collected on imports from the US, mainly agriculture-related products, currently amount to a mere NIS 42 million ($11 million) per year, according to Finance Ministry data. The limited list of agricultural products that are subject to import tariff protection include apples, pears, persimmons, almonds, potatoes, tomatoes, peanuts, hummus, processed corn, and frozen vegetables, according to the Agriculture Ministry.
"Smotrich added that removing taxes is in line with the government’s policy in the fight against the cost of living, and will increase competition in the food sector."
April 2, 2025: from the Algemeiner:
"For Jews in Canada, much like their US counterparts, Manischewitz kosher wine has become a staple of Passover and other religious celebrations.
"But now many are struggling to find the New York state-made drink for the wine-heavy spring holiday as Canadian government retailers and wholesale monopolies pull US-made products from shelves in protest of President Donald Trump’s tariffs and annexation threats.
"The missing wine illustrates how Trump’s tariff actions and his talk of annexation are causing pain for Canadian consumers and US beverage companies like Manischewitz owner E & J Gallo Winery, as well as potential opportunities for Canadian competitors.
"Canada’s provincial governments control liquor sales and wholesaling, and since early March have all banned US alcohol imports as well as most distribution and sales, including Manischewitz wine and Jack Daniel’s bourbon whiskey.
"Existing stocks have been taken off shelves across the country. Private stores, allowed to sell existing supplies, told Reuters their Manischewitz bottles were snapped up by shoppers soon after the provincial governments’ bans were announced.
"Aaron Bernstein of family-owned Bernstein’s Delicatessen, a Jewish food store and restaurant in Winnipeg in Western Canada, said he has had to tell patriotic Canadian shoppers that there are not domestically made versions of some kosher products.
"Canadian Jews seeking kosher wine to fulfill the ceremonial obligation might still find some Israeli wine in some government-operated liquor stores. Manitoba Liquor Marts offer three kosher wines, such as both red and white from the Galil Mountain Winery, a spokesperson said.
"To replace some US products, Bernstein said his deli has been ordering more products from Israel, but imports take longer to arrive because of the extended supply chain.
"For some Canadian Jews who keep kosher, the concern goes beyond missing holiday foods and extends to the risk of tariffs and higher prices on other staple products making groceries unaffordable."
March 31, 2025 from Israel National News:
"Ashkenazic Chief Rabbi Kalman Ber, who heads the Chief Rabbinate Council, has announced that he will serve as head of the committee for shechita (ritual slaughter) abroad.
"The unprecedented move follows revelations of serious flaws recently discovered in the system for supervision of the meat imported to Israel.
"Rabbi Ber's decision follows the publication of a list of serious failures in the system for supervising the kashrut (kosher status) of meat imported from abroad. These failures were reported by Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu, who currently heads the committee.
"Among other failures reported were: a lack of supervision, failure to appoint someone to head the Chief Rabbinate's Department for Kosher Slaughter Abroad, and failure to follow the acts of slaughter and supervision.
"Though Rabbi Eliyahu asked the Director General of the Chief Rabbinate to appoint someone to head the department, the move has not yet taken place. In light of the delays and evasiveness of the staff in implementing the needed reforms, Rabbi Bar himself was invited to head the committee. Rabbi Eliyahu will continue in the committee as well, as deputy to Rabbi Ber.
"The Committee for Shechita Abroad is responsible for supervising and inspecting millions of tons of kosher meat imported to Israel annually, and the issues exposed arouse great concerns amongst the Torah-observant community at large."
April 3, 2025 from CPSC :
Vivitar Blender Bottles have been recalled because the blender’s blades can continue to operate when the bottle is not attached to the blender, posing a laceration hazard.
Consumer Contact: Sakar at 800-592-9541 anytime, email at support@sakar.com, or online at https://www.vivitar.com/pages/recalls or https://www.vivitar.com and click on “Recalls” at the bottom of the page.
Description: This recall involves Vivitar Blender Bottles. The bottles are made of clear plastic and have a white plastic base with a white top. "VIVITAR," "Description: Blender Bottle," "ITEM: ES15-BB-TA" and "MID #5220824" are printed on a sticker located under the white plastic base of the bottle. "MID #5220824"is also stamped on the underside of the white plastic base.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled blender bottles and contact Sakar for instructions on how to receive a full refund in the form of a $5 Target gift card or a check, and a pre-paid return shipping label. The recalled blender must be returned to Sakar to receive the refund. Proof of purchase (receipt) is not required. Consumers should not return the recalled units to Target stores. Sakar is contacting all known purchasers.
Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received one report where the consumer was able to remove the bottle from the base while the blades were engaged. No injuries have been reported.
Sold At: Target stores nationwide and online at Target.com from December 2024 through January 2025 for about $5.
April 3, 2025 from CPSC :
HONEYJOY Convertible and Foldable High Chairs have been recalled because the recalled high chairs pose a suffocation risk because they were marketed for infant sleep and have an incline angle greater than 10 degrees, in violation of the CPSC’s Infant Sleep Products Rule and the Safe Sleep for Babies Act.
Consumer Contact: HONEYJOY by e-mail at honeyjoyrecall@hotmail.com or online at https://www.amazon.com/stores/page/A401562A-3E1E-43A1-8F23-3AAE28BA14FC?ingress=2&visitId=596d5ffc-9ec0-4624-baae-6aad8d0c70dd&store_ref=bl_ast_dp_brandLogo_sto&ref_=ast_bln or www.amazon.com/stores/page/3AD84AC7-8A2C-402F-B205-F6D434FA6C53 and click “MORE” at the top of the page and then “RECALL HIGH CHAIR” from the drop down menu for more information.
The recall involves HONEYJOY COMPANY high chairs made of metal and plastic with a cloth seat in various colors/prints. A sewn-in label with the model number and date of manufacture can be found on the top cover of the seat. The models that are included in this recall are hereRemedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled high chairs and contact HONEYJOY to register for a full refund. Consumers should remove the seat, write “RECALLED” in large letters on the front and rear of the seatback using a marker, and email a photograph of the defaced product to honeyjoyrecall@hotmail.com to obtain a full refund. Consumers will need to follow disposal instructions provided by HONEYJOY. HONEYJOY and Amazon are contacting all known purchasers directly.
March 27, 2025 from New York State Attorney General:
"New York Attorney General Letitia James today issued a consumer alert urging New Yorkers to be careful of potential discriminatory pricing practices at car washes in the days leading up to Passover and warning businesses that this practice is illegal. In previous years, there have been reports of car wash businesses in predominantly Orthodox Jewish communities in New York City and the Hudson Valley raising prices for Jewish customers seeking cleaning services ahead of Passover. In the days leading up to Passover, many Jews clean their homes, cars, and other spaces to remove “chametz” (leavened products). According to reports provided to the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), some companies have advertised “specials” for car washing services related to Passover, but instead, charged higher prices to Jewish customers and refused to provide the regular car wash prices. Under New York law, it is illegal to discriminate against someone on the basis of religion.
ttorney General James reminds consumers to be vigilant against price gouging on essential Passover goods and services, including:
"Anyone who is aware of businesses using discriminatory practices or believes that they were charged more for services because of their religion, race, or background is encouraged to file a complaint online or call 1-800-771-7755."
March 26, 2025 from IsraelNationalNews:
"Halachic commotion in the Knesset: MK Ahmad Tibi (Ta'al) published a photo of him and other MKs using Knesset dishes to eat non-kosher food at their Ramadan pre-fast meal.
"In the photo that Tibi posted on his Instagram story, he is seen using dishes from the Knesset's kosher cafeteria to eat outside food that was not kosher.
"MKs and Knesset staff were infuriated by the photo and claimed that it was an insult to religious sentiments and kashrut in the Knesset.
"The Betsalmo organization contacted the Knesset Ethics Committee demanding that Tibi be severely punished, claiming that he violated Knesset policy.
"The Knesset Rabbi's office reported that the issue is under review.
March 21, 2025 from Vinnews:
"Israel’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security this week announced it was temporarily expanding duty-free egg import quotas to ensure a steady supply during the Passover holiday, which starts on April 12.
"As part of the move, which was made jointly with the Israeli Finance Ministry, the import quota for eggs will be increased to 105 million.
"The average egg consumption in the Jewish state is around 200 million monthly, roughly matching the domestic production capacity. During Passover, however, the demand spikes to approximately 240 million.
"At the Agriculture Ministry’s initiative, an additional four million eggs have already been imported into the country over the past week, with the remaining eggs expected to arrive in the coming three weeks.
"The ministry’s initiative includes importing eggs from avian flu-free areas in Europe, as well as industrially produced ones from the United States.
"Despite a global rise in egg costs, the ministry assured consumers this week that prices remain under government control, with no hikes expected ahead of the Jewish holiday of freedom."
March 7, 2025 from YNet:
"Israeli egg importers face skyrocketing prices in Europe and the US, while local production struggles post-war; Agriculture Ministry insists there will be enough eggs for the holiday, but distributors warn of significant shortages
"Although 90% of the eggs sold in Israel are produced locally, the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry has opened a quota for importing 105 million eggs to meet the increased demand during Passover, a holiday rich in egg-based dishes. “The price control on eggs keeps their cost in Israel relatively low compared to Western countries,” the Agriculture Ministry told Ynet.
"“Today, there’s no doubt eggs in Israel are among the cheapest in the world.” According to egg distributors, who are also importers, the low consumer price in Israel, which is dictated by price-control regulations, creates challenges for importing eggs, as prices in Europe have risen sharply.
"The steep price increase in the U.S. is attributed to a 12% shortage caused by avian flu outbreaks and unchecked price hikes by suppliers in a country without price controls. The chaos in the U.S. egg market has also affected Europe, which has been grappling with avian flu for years.
"Their prices have risen more moderately than in the U.S., not only due to the disease but also because of reforms requiring more spacious poultry coops and increased exports to the U.S., which have driven up costs for Israeli distributors purchasing from European suppliers.
"Israel's Poultry Council head Shmuel Levit, added: 'I believe there will be enough eggs for Passover, as distributors won’t risk failing to supply retailers. However, importation has been unprofitable for months, and it has gotten worse over the past two months.'"
March 21, 2025 from FrumNews.com:
"As Pesach approaches, a new New York City decree went into affect threatening the closure of Brooklyn's Matzah Bakeries. Askunim from all NYC communities are urgently trying to find a compromise to keep NYC Matzah Bakeries open"A new controversial New York City environmental regulation that went into effect, would threaten Brooklyn's beloved matzah bakeries for Pesach
"The new rule introduced by the NYC Department of Environmental Protection requires coal and wood-fire pizza stores and eateries including matzah bakeries to install a very costly emission control system to cut their smoke pollutants by 75%.
"The very costly filters would raise the cost of matzah much higher, matzah bakeries warn. Likely leading to the closure of most New York City Matzah Bakeries and having them relocated to more business friendly territories.
"As the new NYC rules were introduced, Mayor Eric Adams also weighed in, urging a path of compromise. 'We don't want to hurt businesses in the city, and we don’t want to hurt the environment. So, let's see if we can find a way to get the resolutions we're looking for'.
"NY Republican Assemblyman Sam Pirozzolo, who proudly represents the growing Frum community in Staten Island, is trying to fight this. He proposed a new compromised bill, 'Preserving Our Culinary Traditions Act'; which would waive the restrictions on burning wood, coal, natural gas, or other fuels to cook or prepare food.
"Assemblyman Pirozzolo argues that this rule is anti-business and would do little to actually help the fight against pollution and global warming. He points out that Governor Hochul's controversial bill to ban gas stoves and furnaces from new buildings gave an exception to existing restaurants, which this bill doesn't, so why not here.
"FrumNews.com has confirmed that many prominent Askunim from all NYC Jewish communities are actively in-communication with city officials trying to find a middle ground that would keep the NYC Matzah Bakeries open."
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