K A S H R U T . C O M_©

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."

Anti-Schechita and Anti- Kaporos Legislation in New York State Legislature Covid Environment

June 30, 2020 from Koshertoday:

"There are bills moving through the state legislature that may affect kaporos (the pre-Yom Kippur ritual of praying for life – with chickens) in New York and Schechita (kosher slaughter) as a whole. It is being proposed because in China, Covid-19 was spread in animal markets that slaughter on premises. Sentences like 'Prohibition of the operation of establishments where animals and/or fowls are slaughtered for food.' and 'the Commissioner shall immediately suspend the license of any person, firm, partnership or corporation that currently holds a license issued by the Commissioner to operate any place or establishment where animals and/or fowls are slaughtered or butchered for food.'"

"The big question is whether Covid will be an excuse to curtail the ritual of Kaporos where chickens are used prior to Yom Kippur. Even more disconcerting is language in bills that would ban schechita. Sources told Kosher Today that 'the bills do not appear to have any serious traction, but vigilance is required nonetheless.'"

From a reader: The bill that is being presented is New York Senate Bill S8291

Real Clean Distribuciones SA de CV Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Four Hand Sanitizer Due to Potential Presence of Undeclared Methanol (Wood Alcohol)

July 23, 2020 from the FDA

La Loma, Tlalnepantla, Mexico, Real Clean Distribuciones SA de CV is voluntarily recalling all lots it manufactured within expiry of the following brand names of hand sanitizers:

• Born Basic ANTI-BAC HAND SANITIZER,
• Scent Theory KEEP CLEAN Moisturizing Hand Sanitizer,
• Scent Theory KEEP IT CLEAN Moisturizing Hand Sanitizer, and
• Lux Eoi Hand Sanitizing Gel to the consumer level.

Scent Theory and Born Basic hand sanitizer products are produced by several different manufacturers, in several different countries, and only those lots manufactured by Real Clean in Mexico are subject to the recall.

Real Clean Distribuciones SA de CV is notifying its distributors by recall letter and consumers via this press release. Real Clean Distribuciones SA de CV is arranging for the return and refund of all recalled products.

Consumers/distributors/retailers that have the product subject to this recall should stop using/distributing/selling Hand Sanitizer and return it to the place of purchase; because the affected products are considered hazardous materials, do not destroy the affected products.

Consumers with questions regarding this recall can contact Stericycle during the following hours: Sunday - Saturday 08:00 am - 8:00 pm EST at:

• Toll Free: 866-512-4073
• FAX: 844-294-7183
• Email: Realclean4107@stericycle.com
• Event: 4107