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.
March 13, 2025 from CPSC :
O3waterworks-branded Sanitizing Home Enhanced Oxygen Spray Bottles Home Version model number SB100 HD because the lithium-ion battery inside the bottle can overheat, posing a fire hazard to consumers
Consumer Action: CPSC urges consumers to immediately dispose of the products following local hazardous waste disposal procedures.
Sold At: The spray bottles were sold through Lowe’s stores nationwide and online at Lowes.com and O3waterworks.com from May 2020 through June 2024 for about $200.
February 28, 2025 from Food Processing:
"The original Ben and Jerry -- Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, who founded their eponymous ice cream company in a garage in 1976 -- reportedly are in talks to buy back the business they sold to Unilever in 2000.
"All of Unilever’s ice cream business is scheduled for a spinoff from the company sometime this year. There were unconfirmed reports that the European conglomerate tried shopping the business around but couldn’t find a buyer.
"Ben & Jerry’s has had a rocky relationship lately with its parent, suing Unilever over sales in the West Bank/Occupied Palestinian Territories (Ben & Jerry’s tried to halt sales in protest of Israeli settlements there) and, this January, over Unilever deleting a social media post on abortion, climate change, minimum wages and universal healthcare “because it specifically mentioned Donald Trump,” according to several media reports.
"As Bloomberg said, they may need to partner with socially minded investors in any transaction because the Ben & Jerry’s business could be valued at several billion dollars in a sale, which means the founders would need deep-pocketed financial backers to make it happen."
February 27, 2025 from CPSC :
Babyjoy High Chairs have been recalled because the recalled high chairs pose a fatal suffocation risk because they were marketed, intended, or designed for infant sleep, and they have an incline angle greater than 10 degrees in violation of the federal Safe Sleep for Babies Act. In addition, the high chair poses a deadly entrapment hazard because the opening between the seat and tray is large enough that a child can become entrapped in it, which is a violation of the federal regulations for high chairs.
Consumer Contact: Costway toll-free at 844-242-1885 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, email at recall@costway.com, or online at https://www.costway.com/recall-high-chair or www.costway.com and click on recall for more information.
Description: This recall involves all Costway’s Babyjoy high chairs. The collapsible high chairs were sold in pink (model BB5656PI), beige (model BB5656BE) and gray (model BB5656GR), and have a footrest, a detachable tray, pink or gray or beige seat cushion with stars, and four static wheels with locks. The high chair can be adjusted for different heights and recline positions. “Babyjoy” is printed on the front of the detachable tray. “Goplus Corp.” is printed on a label located on the back of the high chair’s seat. The model number appears on the product packaging.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled high chairs and contact Costway for a full refund and instructions on how to return or dispose of the high chairs. Consumers can return the product by receiving a prepaid shipping label or provide photos of the destroyed product to recall@costway.com. Upon receipt of the returned product or photos of the destroyed product, Costway will issue the refund. Costway is contacting all known purchasers directly.
Sold Online At: Amazon.com, Walmart.com, Costway.com and Shein.com from November 2022 through November 2024 for b
February 27, 2025 from CPSC :
Babimoni Multifunctional High Chairs have been recalled because the high chairs pose a risk of serious injury or death to babies due to the fall hazard because they can tip over, the restraint system is not attached to the product, the tray can disengage, and the locks or latches can fail violating either the Federal booster seat or high chair regulations. In addition, the high chairs pose a fatal entrapment hazard because the opening between the tray and the seat is large enough to allow a baby to become entrapped violating the high chair regulation.
Consumer Action: CPSC urges consumers to stop using the high chairs immediately and dispose of them. Do not sell or give away these hazardous products.
The CPSC issued a Notice of Violation to the manufacturer, Ningbo Yibai Children Products Co. Ltd., of China, but the firm has not agreed to an acceptable recall.
About 350 high chairs were sold on Amazon.com from March 2024 through July 2024. The high chairs may have also been sold by other third-party sellers and on other websites.
February 24, 2025 from cbs2iowa.com:
"A nonprofit environmental group has filed a federal lawsuit against Agri Star Meat & Poultry, alleging the Iowa meatpacking plant has repeatedly violated the Clean Water Act by discharging pollutants into Hecker Creek and the Yellow River.
"Driftless Water Defenders, represented by Public Justice, FarmSTAND, and Larew Law Office, filed the lawsuit Monday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa. The legal action follows a 60-day notice period during which the group warned of its intent to sue, citing years of self-reported permit violations and a lack of enforcement from state regulators.
"According to the complaint, Agri Star’s Postville facility has "discharged and continues to discharge pollutants" beyond legal limits, including ammonia nitrogen, total suspended solids, chloride, oil and grease, and biochemical oxygen demand. The lawsuit seeks declaratory and injunctive relief, financial penalties of up to $68,445 per day per violation, and court-ordered compliance measures.
"he lawsuit claims Agri Star has continued polluting Hecker Creek, a tributary of the Yellow River, despite holding a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit issued by the Environmental Protection Agency, which contracts the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to carry out enforcement. The complaint alleges Iowa DNR has failed to carry out appropriate enforcement and that the meatpacking company has not only exceeded permitted pollutant levels, but also failed to conduct required water quality sampling and report results for additional contaminants."
February 20, 2025 from CPSC :
Rebecca’s Toys & Prizes Bowling Pin Sipper Cups have been recaled because the red tape on the bowling pin sipper cups contains levels of lead that exceed the federal lead content ban. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health issues.
Consumer Contact: Nazzaro toll-free at 800-777-2235 from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, email at service@rebeccas.com, or online at https://www.rebeccas.com/recall.html or www.rebeccas.com and click “Recall” at the bottom of the page for more information.
Description: This recall involves Rebecca’s Toys & Prizes bowling pin sipper cups. The cups are white with red tape on the neck and a red plastic cap. The words “ITEM NO. PG1045”, the brand name and the firm’s address are printed on a white label located on the side of the sipper cup.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled cups away from children and stop using them. Contact Nazzaro for a full refund. Nazzaro is contacting all known purchasers directly.
Sold At: Bowling alleys nationwide from January 2018 through July 2019 for about $5.
February 20, 2025 from CPSC :
Uomeod Mini Steamers have been recalled because they pose a risk of burn injury from hot water.
Hazard: They pose a risk of burn injury from hot water.
Consumer Action: CPSC urges consumers immediately to stop using the Uomeod Mini Steamers, cut the cord and dispose of the products. Do not sell or give away these hazardous steamers.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is warning consumers immediately to stop using Uomeod Mini Steamers because they pose a risk of burn injury from hot water. CPSC has received 49 reports of hot water ejecting, spilling or leaking from the steamers, resulting in nine burn injuries, including one second-degree burn from hot water splashing onto a consumer’s thigh in November 2023.
Uomeod and Dongguan Esino Manufacturing Service have not agreed to offer an acceptable recall remedy to consumers.
The Uomeod steamers heat water and release steam through the product’s nozzle to press textiles such as clothing, drapery and upholstery. CPSC’s evaluation found that the Uomeod Mini Steamers can eject hot water from the nozzle when overfilled. The product instructions and warnings do not inform users how to avoid hot water ejections and do not adequately inform consumers of the burn hazard.
The Uomeod Mini Steamers are manufactured by Dongguan Esino Manufacturing Service Co. Ltd., of China, and sold online at Amazon.com by Uomeod-LZ001, of China. The steamers were sold in rose gold (pink), white and black. “Uomeod” is printed on the side of the product beneath the water reservoir window. “Uomeod,” “Mini Steamer,” and “Model: ZL-001” are printed on a label on the bottom of the product. The steamers were sold online on Amazon.com for between $14 and $31 from December 2019 through July 2024.
CPSC urges consumers immediately to stop using the Uomeod Mini Steamers, cut the cord and dispose of the products. Do not sell or give away these hazardous steamers.
February 13, 2025 from CPSC :
Spritz Taper Resin Hanukkah Dino Menorahs have been recazlled because the recalled resin menorahs can burn or catch fire when holding lit candles, posing a fire hazard.
Consumer Contact: Target toll-free at 800-440-0680 from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. CT Monday through Sunday for in-store purchases, or toll-free at 800-591-3869 from 6 a.m. to 12 a.m. CT Monday through Sunday for digital purchases, or online at https://help.target.com/help/recalls or https://www.target.com/ and click on “Recalls” on the bottom of the page for more information.
This recall involves the Spritz Taper Resin Hanukkah Dino Menorah. The menorahs are blue, made of polymer resin and measure 6 inches high x 13 inches long. They can hold up to nine tapered candles in the metal candle cups located on the dinosaur’s back. The model number “240-14-1380” is printed on the product’s hang tag located on the dinosaur’s neck.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled menorahs and return them to any Target store for a full refund in the form of a Target gift card or refund in the original form of payment. Consumers may also contact Target to receive a prepaid return label to return the menorah by mail.
Incidents/Injuries: Target has received 58 reports of the menorahs scorching, charring, melting or catching on fire. No injuries have been reported.
Sold At: Target stores nationwide and online at Target.com from October 2024 through January 2025 for about $15.
Februay 6, 2025 from Jerusalem Post:
"The European Commission approved the marketing of ultraviolet-treated mealworm powder, derived from the larvae of Tenebrio molitor, as a novel food within the European Union. The decision, reported by ANSA, classifies the powder as a novel food under EU regulations, allowing its incorporation into a variety of products, including bread, cheese, pasta, and jams.
"The authorization will come into effect 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. This means that products containing the UV-treated mealworm powder could soon appear on store shelves across EU member states. The mealworm powder will be incorporated into foods intended for general consumption, including bread, biscuits, cakes, cheese, processed potato-based products, and pasta.
"Product labeling will play a role in the new market development. According to Libero Quotidiano, labels must clearly state that the products contain ultraviolet-treated mealworm larvae and may cause allergic reactions, particularly for individuals allergic to shellfish and mites. This measure ensures consumers are fully informed and can make conscious choices about the foods they consume.
"The inclusion of the mealworm powder is part of the EU's initiative to introduce novel foods as alternative protein sources. Since 2021, the European Commission authorized four insects as novel foods in the EU market, considering them an "alternative source of protein." These insects include the migratory locust, the house cricket, and the lesser mealworm.
"The mealworm powder is obtained from dehydrated and ground larvae of the beetle Tenebrio molitor, which is often found in pantries containing cereal-based products. The ultraviolet radiation process is used to disinfect the powder and increase its vitamin D content, enhancing its nutritional value."
Februay 10, 2025 from Israel National News:
"A company trying to import kosher for Passover pizzas from abroad was met with an unexpected demand by the Israeli Chief Rabbinate.
"The Chief Rabbinate's Rabbi Avi Kozman updated the company with the news that in order to receive kosher certification, there needs to be a "mountain of cheese" in the center of the pizza, Ynet reported.
"The Rabbinate explained that this would differentiate the kosher for Passover pizza from regular pizza eaten year-round.
"The Rabbinate explained that this would differentiate the kosher for Passover pizza from regular pizza eaten year-round.
"The Rabbinate also said that the pizza's appearance must be changed from round to square or rectangular. In a letter sent to the importer, the Chief Rabbinate demanded: 'In the center of the pizza, there must be double the amount of cheese, so that it creates a shape resembling a mountain.'
"The importer attempted to explain that such demands are impossible to meet, since the pizza is packaged in a carton, and that additional cheese would raise the cost for the importer by 15%, estimated to equal 8-10% of the price of the product in Israel.
"'Why does the Chief Rabbinate demand changing the shape of the pizza, if the package clearly states, "Kosher for Passover under the supervision of the Chief Rabbinate," both on the front and on the side of the package?' the importer queried."
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