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.
December 4, 2021 from Israel Hayom:
"The student union at a branch of the University of Toronto said it will modify a ban on kosher food that is part of a resolution endorsing the BDS movement against Israel.
"The school’s Scarborough Campus Students’ Union (SCSU) passed a resolution at its annual general meeting on Nov. 24 that forbids the school from “engaging with organizations, services or participating in events that further normalize Israeli apartheid.” It also targeted kosher-food options at the university, noting that “efforts should be made to source kosher food from organizations that do not normalize Israeli apartheid.”
"CSU issued an apology on Monday. It said that it will amend the policy to include exceptions allowing students and student groups to access kosher food on campus, reported The Star."
November 28, 2021 from Israel Hayom:
"The Scarborough Campus Student Union of the University of Toronto passed a motion last week pledging to exclusively order from kosher caterers who 'do not normalize Israeli apartheid.'
"Outlined in an 86-page meeting agenda, the litmus test to filter out supposed pro-Israel caterers was unclear.
"Still, Jewish students are reportedly worried about not being able to keep kosher
"Last year, the Ivy-league school Columbia University became the 44th school to approve a BDS resolution.
"In comparison, the Canadian Union of Public Employees voted overwhelmingly against a BDS resolution on Thursday.
"'Whether the SCSU likes it or not, Israel is an essential part of Jewish identity," said Daniel Koren, executive director of Hasbara Canada. "They do not have the right to tell Jewish students how to practice Judaism on campus.'
"UofT President Meric Gertler said in a statement that the school 'is opposed to all forms of discrimination, and committed to the protection of freedom of speech and academic freedom. The University was alarmed to learn about two motions passed at the Scarborough Campus Students' Union Annual General Meeting on November 24. Both motions are inconsistent with the University of Toronto's core values of freedom of speech and inclusion.''
November 25, 2021 - from World Israel News
"Observant Israelis increasingly like to use olive oil in their Hanukkah candelabras instead of wax candles because of its significance in the holiday’s story. Hanukkah, which this year begins on Sunday evening, is a celebration of how the Maccabees, after defeating the Greeks, were able to light the menorah in the temple in Jerusalem for eight days with a one-day supply of oil— believed to be of the olive variety.
"Those who follow suit want only 100% pure olive oil to use in their menorahs (technically known as hanukkiot) — and that has become more expensive in Israel over time because of tariffs on imports and the rising demand.
"In response, some producers dilute their olive oil with cheaper vegetable oils without disclosing all of the ingredients and lure consumers in with lower prices. The product can still be considered kosher, but it is unacceptable for the observant Jews who want only pure olive oil in their menorahs.
"Israeli authorities perform inspections on dozens of brands each year around Hanukkah and often find oil advertised as pure to contain up to 50% canola or soy. But despite fines and the naming of offenders online, the phenomenon persists.
Israeli alert on fraudulent olive oil is here
November 24, 2021 - from World Israel News
"Belgium has decided to start labeling Israeli products coming from Judea, Samaria, Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights, marking them for boycotts, and Israel’s Deputy Foreign Minister Idan Roll has canceled his meetings in Brussels in protest.
"Israel’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Wednesday condemning 'the Belgian government’s anti-Israel decision.'
"Arabs employed by these Israeli companies in Judea and Samaria are at risk of losing their jobs as a result of the EU’s move if Israeli factories operating in the area are forced to move as a result of the financial pressure generated by the labeling and subsequent boycotts.
"There are 14 Israeli industrial and agricultural parks in Judea and Samaria, including some 800 factories and businesses employing over 11,000 workers from the Palestinian Authority alongside 6,000 Israelis. Many thousands more PA Arbs earn their livelihoods through secondary services provided to the Israeli factories, such as transportation and the sale of materials.
"Israelis will be able to find jobs elsewhere, but PA Arabs will be forced to look for work in the failing Palestinian economy, joining a high percentage of the PA population that is unemployed.
"Belgium’s move could expose it to US anti-boycotts law as well as state-level sanctions and potentially disrupt US-EU trade relations. Boycotts of Israel are illegal in the US and about half of the states have passed similar laws."
November 19, 2021 - from FDA
American Screening LLC of Shreveport, Louisiana is voluntarily recalling 153,336 units of Hand Sanitizer, containing 70% ethyl alcohol gel to the consumer level. The hand sanitizer is packaged in 8 oz. containers that resemble water bottles posing a risk of consumption.
Consumers with questions regarding this recall can contact Wendy Laskowski by e-mailing wlaskowski@americanscreeningcorp.com or call 318-606-6037 Monday–Friday, 8:00 am–5:00 pm CST. Consumers should contact their physician or healthcare provider if they have experienced any problems that may be related to ingesting the hand sanitizer packaged in the 8 oz. water bottle style.
November 4, 2021 from Food Processing:
"Kellogg Co. is continuing to try to keep up cereal production during a strike against all four of its U.S. RTE cereal plants.
"The company is importing cereal from its plants overseas, and running the four struck plants with a combination of replacement workers and management, CEO Steve Cahillane told Bloomberg.
"'We have plants in Mexico, Canada, the UK — Manchester is a very big cereal plant — and even as far away as Australia. So we’ll leverage the totality of our global network,' Cahillane said.
"The strike was declared Oct. 5 by the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union after its contract ran out. The two sides are so far apart that the union didn’t even bother to send the latest Kellogg proposal to members for a vote. One of the major sticking points is Kellogg’s desire to impose a two-tiered wage and benefit structure that is less generous to new employees; Kellogg says it no longer wants such an arrangement to be 'permanent.'"
November 17, 2021 From the OU in response to a question from the editor: The products that are being imported due to the strike are certified by the OU and bear a K or an OU.
November 2, 2021 from Koshertoday:
"In case one wonders why the price of Israeli products is going up, a strong shekel is the answer. Already buffeted by soaring food prices in most categories, the rise in the pricing of Israeli goods is yet another blow to American kosher consumers. Says Globes, Israel’s leading business publication: 'The shekel is at its strongest ever level, according to the Bank of Israel’s nominal effective rate, which measures the shekel against the basket of currencies of Israel’s major trading partners. The shekel-dollar representative rate was set 0.188% lower, at NIS 3.185/$, the shekel’s strongest level against the dollar in over 10 months.' Kosher shelves are increasingly filled with Israeli imported foods by such major food importers as Kayco, Lieber’s, Paskesz, Foodco and others."
November 10, 2021 - from Arutz Sheva
"Mehadrin Dairy Corporation, the largest distributor of Chalav Yisrael dairy and frozen foods in the US, has announced that they will be raising their prices, according to a COLlive reporter.
"In a letter to customers on Monday, the company based in Elizabeth, New Jersey wrote that “effective November 21, 2021, we will be increasing prices on some of our products” under the brands Mehadrin, J&J, Givat and Gevina.
"'“Due to the influence of many factors, including the continuing increase in prices of various raw materials along with rising transportation charges during this past year, we find it necessary to implement this price increase.' the letter read.
"Price changes will include the following products based on a list provided to COLlive.com: Cottage Cheese, sour cream, natural yogurts, Greek yogurts, coconut-based yogurts, kefir whole milk, Leben, farmer cheese, feta cheese, butter, margarine, Kendamil baby food, cheese snacks and puddings, blintzes and French fries."
November 9, 2021 - from Shelby Report
"Kene, New Hampshire-based C&S Wholesale Grocers Inc. has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase 12 Tops Markets stores that have become available due to the Tops Markets merger with Price Chopper/Market 32. C&S will convert these 12 stores to Grand Union supermarkets.
"The Grand Union stores will be in Cooperstown, Cortland, Norwich, Owego, Peru, Rome, Saranac Lake, Sherrill, Warrensburg and two locations in Watertown in New York, and Rutland, Vermont. The agreement is set to close in the coming weeks.
"The grand openings are planned for mid-January through mid-February. GU Markets LLC, an affiliate of C&S Wholesale Grocers, will operate these stores. C&S will continue to recognize the union workforce at these locations.
September 29, 2021 - from CPSC
Martha Stewart Collection Oil & Vinegar Cruets has been recalled because the glass portion of the cruets can break during use, posing a laceration hazard.
This recall involves the Martha Stewart Collection Oil & Vinegar Cruet, which is a tapered clear glass vessel with a square base and a metal spout. UPC number 608356787608 is printed on the hang tag tied to the product. A clear, plastic adhesive label with the Martha Stewart logo may also be affixed near the base of the cruet.
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled product and return it to a Macy’s store or contact Macy’s to return the product with free shipping for a full refund.
Macy’s has received six reports of the glass cruets breaking, resulting in three lacerations, two of which required stitches.
Sold Exclusively At Macy’s stores nationwide and online at www.macys.com from July 2017 through July 2021 for about $22.
Consumer Contact: Macy’s toll-free at 888-257-5949 from 9 a.m. to 12 a.m. ET seven days a week or online at www.macys.com and click on “Product Recall” for more information.
October 27, 2021 - from The Times of Israel
"Legislation proposed by Religious Services Minister Matan Kahana aimed at significantly reforming the kosher certification industry in Israel passed through a Knesset committee hearing on Wednesday, after weeks of intense debate.
"Ultra-Orthodox lawmakers reiterated their fierce opposition to the plan, which will now advance to a second and third reading in the Knesset plenum. A small protest was held in Tel Aviv on Wednesday against the bill, which seeks to weaken the Chief Rabbinate’s monopoly over the matter.
"Kahana’s proposal would establish a series of private kosher certification agencies that will be required to uphold religious standards established by the Chief Rabbinate, instead of only the rabbinate itself issuing kosher certifications. The move is aimed at increasing competition to reduce costs for businesses seeking certification.
"The private agencies will be authorized to issue certifications that note they are “under the supervision of the Rabbinate.” Each agency is expected to be headed by a rabbi who is certified by the city’s local rabbinate. The agencies — which will also need to demonstrate financial viability — will make public the religious standards they are maintaining in their certification.
"The proposed plan would also see the creation of an overarching supervisory body of the Chief Rabbinate to monitor the private agencies and ensure they uphold the standards they have promised to meet.
"After intense debate in the committee, several amendments were adopted, including allowing local religious councils to also provide kosher certifications as well as local municipal rabbis.
"Opposition MKs submitted more than 1,000 amendments to the legislation, the vast majority of which were thrown out.
"ozens of activists and kosher supervisors protested on Ibn Gabirol Street in Tel Aviv on Wednesday against the reform proposal, charging that it will put hundreds of them out of work. Calling for Kahana’s resignation, the protesters blocked traffic on a busy street next to Rabin Square in central Tel Aviv.
"Earlier this week, some activists cooked shrimp and other non-kosher seafood in a protest outside Kahana’s home in the Beit Gamliel moshav. Protesters believe that the legislation, which takes some power away from the Chief Rabbinate, will lead to the establishment of kosher certifying agencies without sufficiently stringent oversight or regulation."
| The information posted is from secondary sources. We cannot take responsibility for the accuracy of the information. |
| Comments to webmaster@kashrut.com
© Copyright 2025 Scharf Associates |
|
|||||||||||