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.
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."
February 5, 2025 - from Baltimore Jewish Life:
"Fresko Green Label is here. No longer do you have to subsist on pretzels and candy marked with a reliable kosher symbol.
"The estimated 1.5 million kosher travelers who fly domestically and internationally from JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark airports annually can now avail themselves of a large variety of kosher prepared food options packaged under the Fresko and Yummy Sandwich labels under STAR-K Kosher supervision.
All breads are Pas Yisroel.
All dairy items are Cholov Yisroel.
All items must bear the STAR-K symbol.
"Menu items can be found Sunday through Friday at concessions in New York-area airports at these locations:
February 6, 2025 from CPSC :
Slide-In and Freestanding Electric Ranges have been recalled because front-mounted knobs on the recalled ranges can be activated by accidental contact by humans or pets, posing a fire hazard.
Consumer Contact: LG at 800-399-3265 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, email at lgrange.recall@lge.com, or at https://lgecares.com/rangerecall and enter your information to request a free warning sticker, instructions on where to place the sticker, and how to use the Control Lock or Lock Out feature on their range.
Description: This recall involves LG Slide-In Ranges, and Freestanding Ranges with front-mounted knobs. The following model and serial numbers are included in this recall. The model number is located on the ranges inside the oven door or storage drawer located on the bottom of the oven. The ranges were manufactured in Mexico and Korea.
A full list of recalled products is here
Consumers should contact LG for a free warning label and placement instructions. The label reminds consumers to use the Lock Out/Control Lock function on the range control panel to disable activation of the heating elements when the range is not in use.
View the LG instructional video regarding Control Lock/Lock Out feature at https://vimeo.com/1037322282.
Consumers are cautioned to keep children and pets away from the knobs, to check the range knobs to ensure they are off before leaving home or going to bed, and not to leave objects on the range when the range is not in use.
Incidents/Injuries: CPSC has received at least 86 reports of unintentional activation of the front-mounted knobs. These LG ranges have been involved in more than 28 fires. At least five fires caused extensive property damage totaling over $340,000. At least eight minor injuries have been reported, including burns, and there have been reports of three fires involving pet deaths.
Sold At: Best Buy, Costco, The Home Depot, Lowe’s, and other appliance stores nationwide and online at LG.com. Depending upon the model, the ranges were sold from 2015 through January 2025 for between $1,400 and $2,650.
January 30, 2025 from CPSC :
Greater Goods Digital Kitchen Scales have been recalled because the recalled digital kitchen scales violate the mandatory federal regulations for consumer products containing button cell or coin batteries, because the scale has a lithium coin battery that can be easily accessed by children, and a spare coin battery provided with the product not in child resistant packaging, as required by Reese’s Law. These violations pose an ingestion hazard. The recalled scales also do not have the required warnings. When button cell or coin batteries are swallowed, the ingested batteries can cause serious injuries, internal chemical burns, and death.
Consumer Contact: Greater Goods toll-free at 866-991-0397 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, email at recall@greatergoods.com, or online at www.greatergoods.com and click the recall banner at the top of the page or https://shop.greatergoods.com/pages/replaceyourbatterydoor for more information.
This recall involves Greater Goods Digital Kitchen Scales, models: 0480, 0455, 0456, 0458, 0473, 0479, 0481, 0747, 0748, 0749, 0751, 0752, 0754.
They are labeled with a sticker with the brand and model printed on the back and come in gray, black, blue, green, pink, red, silver and white colors. The Greater Goods logo is located on the top of the front panel of the scale. The scales come with a lithium CR3032 coin battery pre-installed and a spare CR3032 battery in the packaging.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately remove the battery in the digital kitchen scale and place it in an area that children cannot access. Contact Greater Goods for information on how to receive a free recall kit, which includes a new replacement battery door that can be secured to the scale, the required labeling, and an updated instruction manual. Greater Goods, Amazon and Walmart are contacting all known purchasers directly.
Note: Button cell and coin batteries are hazardous. Batteries should be disposed of or recycled by following local hazardous waste procedures.
Sold At: Online at Amazon, Walmart and Greater Goods from May 2023 through September 2024 for about $10.
January 28, 2025 - from Euronews:
"Coca-Cola’s European bottling unit has ordered a major recall in three countries after finding a high level of a thyroid-disrupting chemical in some soft drinks.
"The recall applies to Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands, though limited quantities of the drinks were also sent to other countries, according to Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, which handles bottling and distribution in Europe, Australia, and parts of Asia.
"The affected products – reportedly including Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Tropico, and Minute Maid brands – contain a higher level of chlorate, which originates from chlorine disinfectants widely used in food processing and water treatment.
"High levels of chlorate in food and drinking water can pose health risks by interfering with the thyroid’s iodine intake, temporarily changing thyroid hormone levels.
January 28, 2025 - from Vinnews:
"A new “war” was declared this week against the residents of Gaza, according to a Gaza-based journalist named Hamza al-Masri. This time, it is not a military conflict, but rather a 'war' over 'chicken meat' that arrived from the markets of Israel. Al-Masri posted a picture of poultry with the caption 'treif (non-kosher) birds,' claiming that they are unfit for human consumption.
"Al-Masri’s claim that 'treif birds' are unfit for human consumption is simply incorrect. The term “treif” is a Jewish legal term referring to animals that were slaughtered improperly or died of other causes, which is why they are not eaten by Jews. However, for the residents of Gaza, who are not Jewish, there is no prohibition against consuming these birds.
"It seems that the Gazan journalist, in his haste to blame Israel for all evil, has confused Jewish dietary laws with general nutritional regulations. Perhaps he should study a bit of Jewish law before declaring a “new war” over it."
January 21, 2025 - from Food Processing:
"Ultraprocessed foods are “industrially produced edible substances that are imitations of real food.” And you can blame them all on the 1980s tobacco companies.
"That’s pretty much the gist of a 148-page lawsuit against Kraft Heinz, Mondelez International, Post Foods, Coca-Cola Co., PepsiCo, General Mills, Nestle USA, Kellanova, WK Kellogg, Mars and Conagra. They’re accused of designing and marketing ultraprocessed foods (UPFs) to be addictive to children, causing chronic disease.
"The lawsuit was filed at the end of December 2024 in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas on behalf of Bryce Martinez, a Pennsylvania resident who alleges he developed type 2 diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease at age 16 as a result of consuming those companies’ products.
"Morgan & Morgan, which claims to be “America's largest injury law firm," brought the case, calling it a 'first-of-its-kind lawsuit.' If those words are taken literally, it could indeed be the first of a spate of lawsuits of this kind.
"The lawsuit includes claims for conspiracy, negligence, fraudulent misrepresentation and unfair business practices. It seeks an unspecified amount of compensatory and punitive damages."
January 14, 2025 - from NPR:
"NPR set off to answer that question at the most popular retailer in the United States. For six years, we have tracked the prices of dozens of items at this very Walmart superstore. And here's what we learned on our latest visit, in December.
"NPR's list includes 96 items from virtually every Walmart aisle: chips and veggies, shampoo and T-shirts, dog food and paper towels. To account for changes in package sizes, we focus on the price per unit, typically per ounce, whether it's toothpaste in a tube or soup in a can.
"Over the course of 2024, the tracked prices on average increased just 0.7% — far less than overall annual inflation, which was 2.7% in November.
"That's because exactly half of our tracked prices stayed the same from December 2023 to December 2024 — a notable relief after the COVID-19 pandemic, when most prices jumped year to year because of turmoil in supply chains and labor markets.
"Twenty-one items in NPR's shopping cart actually got cheaper during the year, including garlic, bananas and salmon. Another 27 products got more expensive, including eggs, ground beef and laundry detergent.
"Items in NPR's shopping cart are much pricier since mid-2019, our last check before the pandemic. On average, those tracked prices have increased around 25%. And that's not far from federal inflation data: Cumulatively, U.S. prices are up 23% since 2019.
"2019 prices will stay in the past. Big price increases are rarely followed by equally big price decreases, historically. That's because seismic shifts in the global economy cannot simply be undone."
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