K A S H R U T . C O M_©

Crock-Pot 6-Quart Express Crock Multi-Cookers Recalled by Sunbeam Products Due to Burn Hazard

November 24, 2020 - from CPSC in conjunction with Healthy Canadians:

Crock-Pot® 6-Quart Express Crock Multi-Cookers have been recalled because the recalled Crock-Pot multi-cooker can pressurize when the lid is not fully locked. This can cause the lid to suddenly detach while the product is in use, posing burn risks to consumers from hot food and liquids ejected from the product.

This recall involves Crock-Pot 6-Quart Express Crock Multi-Cookers, Model Number SCCPPC600-V1, which is shown on label on bottom of unit. The multi-cookers were manufactured between July 1, 2017 and October 1, 2018, with date codes K196JN through K365JN and L001JN through L273JN. The date code is engraved on one of the prongs of the electrical plug and on the bottom of the base.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled Crock-Pot in pressure cooker mode, but may continue to use for slow cooking and sautéing. Consumers should contact Crock-Pot immediately to obtain a free replacement lid. Consumers who continue using the multi-cooker in pressure cooker mode while waiting for the replacement lid should be certain the lid is securely turned to the fully locked position by aligning the arrow on the lid with the lock symbol on the base.

ncidents/Injuries: Sunbeam Products has received 119 reports of lid detachment, resulting in 99 burn injuries ranging in severity from first-degree to third-degree burns.

Sold At: Walmart, Target and other retail stores nationwide and online at Amazon and other online retailers from July 2017 through November 2020 for between $70 to $100.

Consumer Contact: Crock-Pot at 800-323-9519 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or online at recall.crockpot.com for more information.

FDA Issues Draft Guidance for Industry on Voluntary Disclosure of Sesame When Added as Flavoring or Spice

November 10, 2020 from FDA:

"The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today issued a draft guidance for voluntary sesame labeling to encourage manufacturers to clearly declare sesame in the ingredient list, when it is used as a “flavoring” or “spice” or when the common or usual name (such as tahini) does not specify sesame. This voluntary labeling guidance to industry aims to help consumers who are allergic or sensitive to sesame to avoid these products."

"Sesame has been identified as a food allergen that can cause reactions such as hives, vomiting, wheezing, and anaphylaxis. Sesame is not one of the eight major food allergens required by the 2004 Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) to be included in specific allergen labeling, but in most cases, it does have to appear in the ingredient statement. An exception is when sesame is part of a flavoring or spice. In those cases, it may be declared as simply “spice” or “flavor” on the label without requiring “sesame” to be included, so its presence may not be obvious to consumers. The FDA is recommending that manufacturers voluntarily declare sesame following the spice or flavor, such as, “spice (sesame)” or “flavor (sesame).” FDA is also recommending if a term is used for a food that is or contains sesame, such as tahini, sesame should be voluntarily included in parentheses following the ingredient."

"On October 30, 2018, FDA issued a notice requesting data and information on the prevalence and severity of sesame allergies in the United States and the prevalence of sesame-containing food in the United States that are not required to disclose sesame as an ingredient. Data and information received in response to the notice indicated that the reported prevalence of sesame allergies in the U.S. population appears to have increased, that sesame causes a relatively high frequency of severe allergic adverse events, and that allergic reactions to sesame may occur from products with undeclared sesame ingredients."

"The FDA does not have the authority to amend the eight major food allergens established by FALCPA; however, it has the authority under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require labeling for other food allergens not covered by the requirements in FALCPA. The FDA continues to assess allergens of public health importance, including potential science-based options to empower consumers with information about these allergens."

Voluntary Disclosure of Sesame as an Allergen: Guidance for Industry

Ritz Carlton Manama will be First Hotel in Bahrain to Offer Kosher Food

November 9, 2020 from Jewish Press:

"The luxurious Ritz Carlton Hotel in Manama, Bahrain will become the first hotel in the Gulf kingdom to offer kosher certified food through the help of Orthodox Union (OU) Kosher."The "changeover will happen in November."

"Following the signing of the Abraham Accords, there has been a surge in interest from Jewish business and leisure travelers from Israel, North America and Europe in visiting Bahrain."

"The hotel and their new kosher kitchen which will be overseen by OU Kosher certifiers. Additionally, OU Kosher is helping the hotel identify a kosher culinary team member who will serve as a mashgiach, or kosher supervisor, when kosher meals are prepared on the premises. "

"The Ritz Carlton Manama is a five-star luxury resort is located in the exclusive Al Seef district in Manama, Bahrain."

Polish Government Vows To Introduce New Bill To End Ritual Slaughter

November 6, 2020 from the Vosizneias

"The Polish government has scrapped a bill that would have banned the production of kosher and halal meat, but vowed to introduce a new one."

"Agriculture Minister Grzegorz Puda announced Wednesday that the bill, already passed by parliament, will not be brought to the president for a signature. Instead, a new law will be drafted and submitted to parliament."

"The development is the latest in a series of conflicting legislative actions on ritual slaughter that illustrate the right-wing government’s difficulties in implementing a policy it believes in, but which has the potential of hurting many farmers who belong to its base."

"Puda did not explain the reason for the decision, but he seemed to suggest that the original legislation was not restrictive enough on ritual slaughter, a $1.8 billion industry in Poland, most of it for export."

"The bill, which also included a ban on raising animals for fur and would have beefed up the legal discretion available to veterinarians and animal welfare inspectors, took into account the interests of farmers and entrepreneurs, Puda said in explaining the move."

"A parliamentary committee had initially excluded ritual slaughter from the bill, but that provision was reintroduced before it passed. Last month, the Polish Senate introduced an amendment that postponed the ban’s implementation to 2025."

"Puda said the new bill will be “adjusted to E.U. laws,” which he said ban ritual slaughter. In reality, European laws allow for slaughtering animals without stunning for religious reasons, as is required by Judaism and Islam. The new bill is expected to include a proposed ban on ritual slaughter for export."

FDA proposes updating allergy label if risky portion of ingredient is removed

October 28, 2019 FoodDive:

• "The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has proposed exempting an ingredient derived from a major food allergen if the protein has been eliminated or altered to the point where it no longer poses a risk to a person, the agency said in a Federal Register filing published on Oct. 28. The public has 60 days to comment on the measure."
• "The FDA proposed that an ingredient could obtain an exemption by submitting scientific evidence to the agency. The Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 currently requires foods to declare the presence on the product label of what it calls "major food allergens," such as milk, sesame, eggs, fish, tree nuts, crustacean shellfish, wheat, peanuts and soybeans. "
• 'Food allergens are an increasingly bigger issue for U.S. consumers to worry about in the items they buy. In 2013, the CDC published a study showing food allergies among children increased about 50% between 1997 and 2011. The top food allergy in adults is shellfish — which nearly 3% have — followed by 1.9% with a dairy allergy and 1.8% with a peanut allergy."
• "As more shoppers worry about allergens in the foods they eat, the latest proposal from the FDA could give food manufacturers some wiggle room when it comes to the ingredients they use."
• "While the Federal Register notice still needs to be subjected to public input and other hurdles before it could go into effect, allowing ingredients considered a major allergen into food as long as the part that causes harm to humans is no longer prevalent could allow consumers to enjoy food and beverages they enjoy."
• "For example, if part of an ingredient that people are allergic to, such as lactose, is removed, consumers could still drink the milk. This also could reopen markets for dairy, nut, egg and other producers who have seen consumers turn away from their products because of the growing risk of an allergic reaction."
• "An estimated one in four Americans, or 85 million people, spend $19 billion annually to avoid purchasing products with the top nine allergens, according to research published earlier this year by Food Allergy Research & Education. The data also found 53% of those surveyed want clearer food allergen labeling to identify the presence of milk, egg, soy, peanut, wheat, fish, shellfish, tree nuts and sesame."
• "Although labeling often indicates if they are processed in facilities that also process allergens, cross-contamination remains a leading cause of food recalls. Of 456 food recalls in 2017, 218 of them were caused by undeclared allergens, according to Food Safety Magazine."