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.
April 28, 2020 - from Hamodia:
"Some New York City seniors who signed up for the city’s free home-delivered kosher meals received non-kosher food."
"As the coronavirus pandemic has swept across the city, it has devastated the economy and left many people homebound – particularly seniors, who are most vulnerable to the virus. To ensure that the elderly are properly fed without leaving their home, the city is using TLC-licensed drivers to home-deliver free meals to seniors, with a kosher option."
"But some Jewish residents" "received non-kosher meals. When they complained, the city said it had run out of kosher meals."
"In response to a request for comment from Hamodia, City Hall spokeswoman Laura Feyer said that the city is delivering over 30,000 kosher meals daily, for a total of more than 330,000 kosher meals; and more than 3 million meals overall."
"Meanwhile, the city Education department announced that starting Wednesday, it is opening new locations in Williamsburg and Crown Heights for distribution of its free kosher “Grab & Go” meals for people of all ages.
"The new Williamsburg location is at 300 Willoughby Avenue, in addition to the two current Williamsburg locations, at 60 Cook Street and 320 Manhattan Avenue. In Crown Heights, meals will be distributed at 791 Empire Boulevard, in addition to the existing location at 900 St. Marks Avenue. Another existing Crown Heights location, 655 Parkside Ave., will be discontinued, as it is far from the Jewish neighborhood and had been little-used. The new locations in Crown Heights and Williamsburg are more centrally located to the Jewish neighborhoods than the others."
May 3, 2020 - from the Hamodia:
"Enforcement of New York’s plastic bag ban has once again been delayed, as the state continues to battle the coronavirus pandemic."
"The state banned single-use plastic bags on March 1, with enforcement set to start in April and was then pushed off until May 15. But on Thursday, a state Supreme Court order directed the state Department of Environmental Conservation to enforce the ban only after June 15."
"'This does not affect the local laws in New York City, Suffolk County and Tompkins County requiring that the 5-cent paper carryout bag reduction fee must be charged on paper carryout bags,' the DEC said."
"The ban has been slammed during the coronavirus pandemic as it has been shown that reusable bags may help spread the deadly disease."
"Once enforcement does begin, the state will enforce the ban by issuing a warning to retailers who violate the law for the first time. Retailers could eventually face a $250 fine for a subsequent violation, and a $500 fine for violations in the same calendar year."
February 28, 2020 - from the New York Post:
"New York statewide plastic bag ban begins this Sunday — but actual enforcement won’t start for a month, officials said Friday."
"State authorities agreed Thursday to delay penalizing stores violating New York’s ban of single-use plastic bags until April 1 after grocers filed a last-minute lawsuit to try and block the law."
"Officials announced the deal after a closed-door preliminary Supreme Court hearing in Albany."
"A new law passed by state lawmakers Albany last March bans plastic bags at most stores and allows retailers to charge a 5-cent fee for each paper bag. The policy takes effect March 1, but the state will wait a month before dishing out fines."
"The legislation aims to reduce litter and help protect wildlife in the Empire State, where more than 23 billion plastic bags are used a year, according to the state Department of Environmental Conservation."
"All shops that collect sales tax, including grocery stores, bodegas and retailers across Empire State."
"Once enforcement begins in April, stores caught in violation of the ban will first be issued a verbal warning. The penalty for a second violation is $100 and the penalty for a third or subsequent violation is $500."
"Plastic bags can still be doled out for uncooked meat, bulk items, takeout at restaurants and prescription drugs."
"Bring your own reusable bag made from cotton, recycled polypropylene or other materials. You can also buy one at some stores, or pay the extra 5-cent fee for a paper sack. That’s if one is available — retailers are predicting a shortage when the ban hits."
"Two cents is given to local government and 3 cents goes to the state’s Environmental Protection Fund."
March 1, 2020 - from the New York Post:
"New Yorkers were forced to begin grappling with a new shopping reality Sunday as the state’s ban on plastic shopping bags kicked in — and not many people were happy about it."
"About half the shoppers seen by The Post on the first day of the bag ban, including Kimmel, were compensating by bringing their own bags from home, while another quarter opted to just go bagless rather than pay the 5-cent paper-bag fee allowed under the law, and the remaining 25 percent coughed up the nickel charge per bag."
"The law, passed by state lawmakers last year, bars single-use plastic bags at any retailer — from supermarkets to bodegas — that collects sales tax at their store."
"It allows shoppers to bring bags from home, buy a reusable bag at the store, or pay the 5-cent fee for paper bags."
"Smaller retailers, including the Food Bazaar Supermarket in Woodside, opted to ease into the new world of plastic-less retail by pushing their remaining supply before tapping new stacks of brown paper bags."
"At the Bay Ridge Stop & Shop in Brooklyn, some shoppers were so ticked off that they blindly lashed out Mayor Bill de Blasio, who supports the ban but in reality did not pass it — the state did."
January 10, 2021 - from Hamodia:
"High Court President Justice Esther Hayut on Sunday rejected the Chief Rabbinate’s request to determine that the state can enforce not bringing chametz into hospitals during Pesach. This came after a request for a further hearing, following an order issued by High Court judges last April, which determined that hospitals have the authority to prohibit those entering their gates from bringing in chametz during Pesach."
"In a request for a further hearing, the Chief Rabbinate argued that the decision that the ruling would harm the kashrus of the food provided by the hospital.'But as it has been ruled,” Judge Hayut responded, “this concern does not constitute a source of authority for a substantial violation of the fundamental freedoms we have upheld, especially since the prohibition is explicitly based on religious considerations and involves sensitive issues of religion and state, without the legislature giving [its] opinion. '"
"Hayut added that 'it is to be hoped that the Rabbinate and the Health Ministry will find an appropriate solution that will preserve the rights of all patients as soon as this coming Pesach, so that those who wish to bring in chametz will be able to do so.'"
"Shas leader Minister Rabbi Aryeh Deri said that “it is inconceivable that in a Jewish state, hospitals will be required to allow chametz on Pesach.
"'Immediately after the election, the Shas faction in the Knesset will demand the promotion of the Patient Rights Bill as I instructed MK Moshe Arbel to submit in the 23rd Knesset, which seeks to maintain the status quo and authorize hospital administrators in this matter. After all, a hospital that serves a Jewish population is not similar to a hospital that serves minority populations,' said Rabbi Deri.
"MK Rabbi Moshe Gafni said in response to the High Court ruling: 'The impudent High Court judges take advantage of the period between one Knesset and another, that the amendment to my law cannot be raised in this matter, and do not consider Jews who do keep kosher who may need to go to the hospital on Pesach. We will strongly demand the Override Clause in order to stop and put order in the unlimited power of the High Court.'"
April 30, 2020 - from Jewish Press:
"Israel’s Supreme Court on Thursday ruled against the long-standing state ban on chametz in hospitals across the Jewish State on Passover in a 2-1 decision handed down in response to petitions submitted by the Adalah organization and The Secular Forum, both funded by the New Israel Fund (NIF)."
"Justice Neil Hendel was the dissenting opinion in the case."
"Writing for the panel, Justice Uzi Fogelman wrote in his ruling, “I find that the ban on bringing food items to hospitals during Passover that prevents patients from consuming food of their choice in the personal space at their disposal, violates the right to dignity, autonomy, and religious freedom."
"'The powers granted by hospital administrations do not include certification to restrict introduction of food into the hospital for kashrut reasons. In addition, using hospital security guards – in any form – for the purpose of enforcing the ban on introducing food into hospitals on Passover exceeds the restrictions set by the Public Security Law,' the justice wrote."
April 22, 2020 - from Reuters:
"Dwindling supplies of carbon dioxide from ethanol plants are sparking concern about shortages of beer, soda and seltzer water - essentials for many quarantined Americans."
"Brewers and soft-drink makers use carbon dioxide, or CO2, for carbonation, which gives beer and soda fizz. Ethanol producers are a key provider of CO2 to the food industry, as they capture that gas as a byproduct of ethanol production and sell it in large quantities. "
"But ethanol, which is blended into the nation’s gasoline supply, has seen production fall sharply due to the drop in gasoline demand as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Gasoline demand is down by more than 30% in the United States. "
"The lack of ethanol output is disrupting this highly specialized corner of the food industry, as 34 of the 45 U.S. ethanol plants that sell CO2 have idled or cut production."
"CO2 suppliers to beer brewers have increased prices by about 25% due to reduced supply."
April 27, 2020 - from JTA:
"A bill in Cyprus that would have temporarily allowed kosher slaughter in the Mediterranean island country needs further study, the government said."
"The Cabinet’s decision to allow kosher slaughter until the end of the year was made to help animal breeders, who have lost business due to coronavirus regulations, by opening up alternative markets in Israel and elsewhere."
"The decision to recall the bill has angered the breeders along with farmers and the Jewish community. Farmers who were active in calling for the amendment said there was demand for exports of kosher meat to Israel, the English-language Cyprus Mail reported."
"Jewish religious laws require that animals be conscious when they are slaughtered for their meat to be kosher. Islam has similar rules for the production of halal meat. Cyprus law now forbids the slaughter of animals without anesthesia."
"Opposition to the amendment has come from Green and Animal parties, as well as animal rights groups."
"The Chief Rabbinate of Cyprus condemned the recall, saying in a statement that the export of kosher meat would support the economy. The statement defended shechita, or kosher slaughter, as humane, and noted that it has European Union approval."
"On Monday, Agriculture Minister Costas Kadis said the government would announce new measures to help struggling animal breeders on Wednesday. He said that EU regulations allow kosher slaughter only to satisfy the religious needs of residents in the member states and not for exports."
"In addition, Kadis said, the procedure to have the kosher meat approved for import into Israel are cumbersome and it would have taken much time to meet the requirements and receive the appropriate licenses."
April 16, 2020 - from SpecialtyFood.com :
"Governor of Virgina Ralph Northam has vetoed a bill that would mean that anything labeled as "milk" would have to be the product of a cow or hooved animal."
In a statement, Northam said, 'Eliminating the ability to label certain food products with the term 'milk' could hinder some businesses’ ability to thrive in Virginia. This bill likely conflicts with both the United States Constitution and the Constitution of Virginia and each’s protection of commercial speech.'"
April 8, 2020 - from CPSC :
Lenox 2.5 Quart Tea Kettles have been recalled because the tea kettles can expel hot water during use, posing a burn hazard to consumers.
This recall involves Continuum’s Lenox-branded 2.5 Quart Whistling Stainless Steel Tea Kettle with a three-layered bottom. The tea kettles were sold in a variety of colors, including blue, red, silver, and gold. They have a stainless steel flat bottom that measures approximately 7” in diameter and has a bent edge that extends approximately 1” beyond the flat portion of the bottom. The brand name Lenox is written on the sides and the bottom of the kettle.
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled tea kettles and contact Continuum for a full refund if proof of purchase is available. If not, consumers will be entitled to a refund of $29.99.
Consumer Contact: Continuum at 800-669-6385 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or online at www.gocontinuum.com and click on Recall Information for more information.
Continuum has received 14 reports of tea kettles expelling hot water through the top, including four reports of burn injuries, some of them severe.
Sold At: Burlington, HomeGoods, Home Sense, Marshalls, T.J. Maxx, Tuesday Morning, and Winners stores nationwide from September 2013 through November 2017 for between $30 and $50.
April 6, 2020 - World Israel News:
"Police were called in to control a crowd of shoppers Sunday when word got out that two local grocery stores received a shipment of eggs – a commodity in short supply as Israelis remain homebound due to the coronavirus crisis."
"Officers arrived at the stores in Rishon Lezion, just south of Tel Aviv, after local residents started congregating when news spread that a truckload of eggs was on the way, Ynet reported."
"With most Israelis off work and at home due to the epidemic, consumption of eggs has skyrocketed leading to a country-wide shortage for the past two weeks. Many supermarkets are restricting purchases to one or two dozen at a time, but are running out quickly nonetheless."
"When shoppers crowded outside the stores, police set up a line and demanded they comply with social distancing regulations to prevent the spread of the highly contagious virus. The shoppers did comply and kept the required safe distance, but within a few hours both stores had sold out and the crowds dispersed."
"Although Israel has a well-developed egg industry and usually self-sufficient, the stay-at-home order that led to panic buying and hoarding of toilet paper also got Israelis scrambling for eggs. A statement last week from the prime minister’s office noted that two of Israel’s major foreign egg suppliers are Spain and Italy – the European countries hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic."
"To help satiate the market demand, millions of eggs are being imported from Europe and Ukraine. A million eggs were flown in from Portugal and millions more were arriving by sea from Ukraine, Spain and France in time for the week-long Passover holiday that begins Wednesday evening."
"More cargo planes loaded with eggs are due to land before Passover, but there still might be an estimated shortage of up to 30 million eggs, Channel 12 reported."
April 5, 2020 - JPost.com:
"The first shipment carrying millions of eggs arrived at Ashdod Port on Sunday, after the government worked to import millions of eggs from Spain after Israel was hit by a nationwide egg shortage."
"The second ship is expected to arrive on Tuesday. Government agencies prepared trucks and logistics centers in order to bring the eggs to stores starting on Sunday." "
April 2, 2020 - Crain's New York Business:
"Empire Kosher, the leading kosher-poultry supplier in New York and most everywhere else, closed its processing facility for at least two weeks after two employees tested positive for the coronavirus."
"The closing comes a week before the Jewish holiday of Passover, but chickens are expected to be available for those planning to serve them at seders next week, said Rabbi Menachem Genack, chief executive of the Orthodox Union's kosher-certification agency, which supervises the Empire facility in Mifflintown, Pa."
"In a letter to customers, Empire President Jeff Brown said 'the very difficult and unprecedented decision' to close the plant stemmed from employees testing positive "beyond the previous noticed cases." Affected employees were immediately removed from the site and self-quarantined."
"At Empire, the plan is to reopen April 13. The company closes its doors every year for part of the Passover holiday, but this time the coronavirus forced it to do so earlier. A spokeswoman for the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture said the closing was not done at the order of the state."
"Wendell Young, president of the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1776, applauded Empire's decision to close the 550-employee plant."
"'There is no cleaner chicken facility than Empire's," Young said. "Giving it an extreme sanitizing is the right thing to do.'"
"Empire, founded in 1938, is owned by private-equity firm Aterian Investment Partners, which last year acquired the brand and other assets from Hain Celestial for $80 million."
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