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Food News


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.

Newer news

PNHC, LLC d/b/a Heal the World Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Heal the World Hand Sanitizer Packaged in 9.6 Ounce Bottles Because They Resemble Small Water Bottles

March 16, 2021 - from FDA:

PNHC, LLC, d/b/a Heal the World, is voluntarily recalling all lots of Heal the World hand sanitizer packaged in 9.6 fl. oz containers to the consumer level. The products are being recalled because they resemble 9.6ounce water bottles. The recall does not affect any other Hand Sanitizer products from PNHC, LLC and/or Heal the World.

Product

Size

NDC

Heal the World Hand Sanitizer 9.6 FL. OZ (285 mL) 73333-285-01

Lot Nos. SAA21, SAA24, SAA27, SAA22, SAA23, SAA29, SAA26, SAA28, SAA25, SAA32, SAA55, SAA56, SAA44, SAA60.

Consumers with questions regarding this recall can contact PNHC, LLC at 813-434-0741 from 9:00 am- 5:00 pm EST, Monday through Friday. Consumers should contact their physician or healthcare provider if they have experienced any problems that may be related to using this product.

The previous item can be cited with the URL: https://www.kashrut.com/News/?alert=W1158

Israel: Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef to Avichai Mandelblit: 'Freeze ruling allowing hametz in hospitals'

March 10, 2021 - from Arutz 7 :

"Sephardic Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef sent a letter to Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit, requesting that he act to delay the implementation of a ruling which would force Israeli hospitals to allow hametz (leavened products) to be brought in over Passover."

"In his letter, Rabbi Yosef requested to delay the implementation of the ruling by ten months, so as to allow the Knesset to enact legislation that will prevent offense to the Passover-observant public."

The previous item can be cited with the URL: https://www.kashrut.com/News/?alert=W1156

Lifetime Products Recalls 6-Foot Seminar Tables Due to Injury Risk

March 10, 2021 - from CPSC :

Lifetime Products 6-foot Seminar Tables has been recalled because The brace arms can fail to lock the table legs into place and the table can collapse, posing an injury risk to consumers.

Description: This recall involves Lifetime Products 6-Foot Seminar Tables with model #80176. The tables have gray metal frames and white plastic tops. The tables measure 6 feet long by 18 inches wide by 28 inches high. The “Lifetime” logo is molded into each end of the upper surface of the table top. A green product ID sticker located on the underside of the table has the model number and the year and chronological day of manufacture in the first five digits (Example: June 23, 2020 = 20175), followed by a two-digit number for the factory. The recalled tables were manufactured between August 7, 2016 (16220) and June 23, 2020 (20175).

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled seminar tables and contact Lifetime Products for a free repair bracket.

Lifetime Products has received one report from a consumer who identified 11 tables with the brace arms not properly locking into place. No injuries have been reported.

Sold At: Online at Amazon.com, Costco.com, Samsclub.com and other websites and at Lifetime Stores in Utah and Idaho from August 2016 through November 2020 for about $90.

Consumer Contact: Lifetime Products at 800-292-3865 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. MT Monday through Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. MT, by email at customercare@lifetime.com or online at lifetime.com and click on “Product Recall” for more information.

The previous item can be cited with the URL: https://www.kashrut.com/News/?alert=W1155

Hillsdale Furniture Recalls Jennings Counter and Bar Stools Due to Fall Hazard

March 10, 2021 - from CPSC :

This recall involves Hillsdale Furniture’s Jennings counter and bar stools with date codes between 08/2020 and 01/06/2021. The date code is on the bottom of the seat. The recalled counter and bar stools have a tan wooden seat, a wooden back and a metal base and were sold in counter and bar heights.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled Jennings counter and bar stools and contact Hillsdale Furniture for a free repair kit.

The firm received reports of 21 stool seats either that broke off their bases or had loose welding. No injuries have been reported.

Sold At: Raymour, Nebraska Furniture, Mathis Bros. Furniture, and other furniture stores nationwide from October 2020 through January 2021 for about $200.

Consumer Contact: Hillsdale Furniture at 800-368-0999 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, email at recall@hillsdalefurniture.com, or online https://hillsdalefurniture.com and click on "Product Recalls” located at the bottom of the page for more information.

The previous item can be cited with the URL: https://www.kashrut.com/News/?alert=W1154

Urban Outfitters Recalls Margo Taper Candle Holders Due to Fire Hazard

February 24, 2021 - from CPSC in conjunction with Healthy Canadians:

Margo Taper Candle Holders have been recalled because the candle holders can catch on fire if they come in contact with the candle’s flame, posing a fire hazard.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled candle holders and return them to any Urban Outfitters store for a full refund. Customers can also contact Urban Outfitters to receive a prepaid return label to return the candle holders by mail. Urban Outfitters is contacting online purchasers by email.

Sold At: Exclusively at Urban Outfitters stores nationwide and online at www.urbanoutfitters.com from August 2020 through November 2020 for between $18 and $30.

Consumer Contact: Urban Outfitters at 800-282-2200 24 hours a day, email at recall@urbn.com, or online at www.urbanoutfitters.com/recall or www.urbanoutfitters.com and click on “Product Recalls” at the bottom of the page for more information.

The previous item can be cited with the URL: https://www.kashrut.com/News/?alert=W1152

COVID-19 Update: USDA, FDA Underscore Current Epidemiologic and Scientific Information Indicating No Transmission of COVID-19 Through Food or Food Packaging

February 18, 2021 - from FDA:

After more than a year since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak was declared a global health emergency, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continue to underscore that there is no credible evidence of food or food packaging associated with or as a likely source of viral transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus causing COVID-19.

It’s particularly important to note that COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that is spread from person to person, unlike foodborne or gastrointestinal viruses, such as norovirus and hepatitis A that often make people ill through contaminated food. While there are relatively few reports of the virus being detected on food and packaging, most studies focus primarily on the detection of the virus’ genetic fingerprint rather than evidence of transmission of virus resulting in human infection. Given that the number of virus particles that could be theoretically picked up by touching a surface would be very small and the amount needed for infection via oral inhalation would be very high, the chances of infection by touching the surface of food packaging or eating food is considered to be extremely low.

The USDA and the FDA are sharing this update based upon the best available information from scientific bodies across the globe, including a continued international consensus that the risk is exceedingly low for transmission of SARS-CoV-2 to humans via food and food packaging. For example, a recent opinion from the International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Foods (ICMSF)External Link Disclaimer, stated: “Despite the billions of meals and food packages handled since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, to date there has not been any evidence that food, food packaging or food handling is a source or important transmission route for SARS-CoV-2 resulting in COVID-19.” Additional literature reviewsExternal Link Disclaimer and analysesExternal Link Disclaimer from other countries agree.

n addition, considering the more than 100 million cases of COVID-19, we have not seen epidemiological evidence of food or food packaging as the source of SARS-CoV-2 transmission to humans. Furthermore, transmission has not been attributed to food products or packaging through national and international surveillance systems. Food business operations continue to produce a steady supply of safe food following current Good Manufacturing Practices and preventive controls, focusing on good hygiene practices and keeping workers safe.

The previous item can be cited with the URL: https://www.kashrut.com/News/?alert=W1151

National Presto Recalls Smokers Due to Electric Shock Hazard

February 17, 2021 - from CPSC :

Presto Indoor Electric Smoker has been recalled because the heating element/wiring on the smoker is defective, posing an electric shock hazard to consumers.

This recall involves all units of the Presto Indoor Electric Smokers with Model No. 0601304 or 0601405. The model number is displayed on a sticker located on the underside of the smoker. “Presto” appears on the top of the digital display on the side of each unit. The smokers were sold in black stainless steel and camouflage finishes. The smokers prepare smoked meat, fish and vegetables. UPC codes 075741060132 and 075741060149 are located on the packaging.

Consumers should immediately stop using the Presto Indoor Electric Smokers and contact the firm to receive return instructions, or return the product to the store where it was purchased for a refund.

Sold At: Shopko, Sears, Kmart, Belk, Veterans Canteen Store and other home appliance stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com, Wayfair.com, Kohls.com and Walmart.com and other online sites from June 2018 through December 2020 for between $70 and $110.

Consumer Contact: National Presto toll-free at 833-909-1524 between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or online at www.gopresto.com/recall or www.gopresto.com and click “Recall Alert” to complete the on-line registration form to apply for the refund and receive a shipping label.

The previous item can be cited with the URL: https://www.kashrut.com/News/?alert=W1150

Future Meat Technologies makes cell-based chicken costing $7.50 and gets $26.75M funding

February 1, 2021 FoodDive:

"After Mosa Meat showed off the world's first hamburger made from cell-based meat in 2013 — a process that took two years and cost the equivalent of $325,000 — people believed that real meat could be made without slaughtering an animal."

"Then came the next challenge: producing cell-based meat less expensively, let alone at a price affordable to a consumer."

"The price has been steadily dropping thanks to more players in the game, scientific advancements, new plant-based growth media, and partnerships across different scientific disciplines. Most recently, Israel-based Future Meat Technologies has gotten the price to produce a cell-based chicken breast down to about $7.50."

"In addition to the lower cost of a chicken breast, Future Meat Technologies also announced $26.75 million in new funding. This latest round, in the form of a convertible note, involved both new and old investors in the company, and it more than doubles its existing funds. Existing investors Tyson Foods, Archer Daniels Midland, S2G Ventures, Manta Ray Investors, Emerald Technology Ventures and Bits x Bites all participated in this round. Joining them as first-time funders are German dairy producer Müller Group, U.S.-based CPG and foodservice products maker Rich Products Corp. and investment firm ADM Capital (not affiliated with the ingredients and grain company)."

"Future Meat has built robotic analytical systems that break down the chemical composition of different plants and proteins. And they have found some food ingredients that work well for cultured meat growth."

"The company's bioreactors also have a system that can clean the growth medium. This means that impurities are removed and the growth medium can actually be reused."

"The system Future Meat uses is also unique in the way it can quickly produce a lot of cells. The company has always used fast-growing cells, but Nahmias said it is in the process of building out what would be one of the most efficient biomanufacturing facilities in the world. In this 800-liter facility, about 36% of the bioreactor will become biomass, which he said is 10 times more efficient than many others existing today — and more efficient than what had been predicted for the cultured meat industry. "

"The $7.50 chicken breast does blend cell-based chicken with some plant proteins, which is something the company has long planned to do for its first products to get the cost down."

"The company is also focusing on getting regulatory approval for its products, and is working closely with the FDA in the United States and with regulators in its home country in Israel. Nahmias said there are active discussions with some regulatory agencies in Asia."

"While the drop in manufacturing cost and new funding are both big deals for Future Meat Technologies, Nahmias said they're just the first two announcements in what he thinks will be a very exciting year for the company. Future Meat currently has a target of getting products on the market in 2022, but Nahmias said it could be sooner if regulators give their approval faster."

The previous item can be cited with the URL: https://www.kashrut.com/News/?alert=W1149

Aleph Farms, Technion produce first slaughter-free ribeye

February 9, 2021 from Meatingplace:

"The world’s first slaughter-free ribeye steak made of animal cells — with no genetic engineering or immortalization — has officially been plated."

"A partnership between Aleph Farms Ltd. and biomedical engineering faculty at The Technion – Israel Institute of Technology has produced this cut of cell-cultured meat using three-dimensional bioprinting that Aleph said it will be able to use to produce any type of steak."

"Aleph has produced a thin-cut steak using 3D printing, but the bioprinting technique enables the company to print live cells that “are then incubated to grow, differentiate and interact, in order to acquire the texture and qualities of a real steak."

The previous item can be cited with the URL: https://www.kashrut.com/News/?alert=W1148

Senator to USDA: Make Food Aid Kosher

February 5, 2021 from Food Processing:

"A U.S. Senator is asking the USDA to ensure that food boxes provided to needy families during the pandemic contains options for kosher and halal foods."

"Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) sent the USDA a letter dated Feb. 3 in which she pointed out that there are half a million people in New York City living in poor or near-poor Jewish families."

"'During the beginning rounds of this program, when there were separate boxes for each food category, it was more accessible for kosher and halal families to use this program,” Gillebrand’s letter states. “However, in late summer the boxes were designed to be exclusively mixed packages, eliminating them as an option for these families.'"

"Gillibrand has long been an advocate for inclusion of kosher and halal products in food aid. She had previously sent a similar letter to then-USDA secretary Sonny Perdue, and had advocated for the USDA to label kosher and halal products in school lunch programs."

The previous item can be cited with the URL: https://www.kashrut.com/News/?alert=W1147
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