K A S H R U T . C O M_©

December 22, 2023 from the Water Digest

"As climate change and water scarcity become increasingly urgent issues around the world, governments are turning to new options to ensure adequate water supplies — including turning sewage waste into drinking water.

"And if you’re in California, this may soon be flowing from your kitchen tap.

"The State Water Resources Control Board on Tuesday voted to allow water companies to pump treated wastewater into residents’ taps in the populous, drought-prone state.

"Members unanimously approved the new regulations on Tuesday, after years of discussions and just before a deadline set six years ago for the state to adopt regulations for reusing wastewater by the end of 2023. After the new rules are finalized next year, water companies will be able to submit plans for projects to be approved by the board.

"Many people are already drinking treated wastewater, Esquivel said, the Associated Press reported. What exists now is wastewater treated by what’s known as “indirect potable reuse,” a process where wastewater is released into natural water bodies, such as reservoirs and rivers, before being turned into drinking water."

December 21, 2023 from the CPSC :

Foldable wood and rope bistro set chairs have been recalled because the wooden frame of the chair can break or collapse when a consumer is seated in the chair, posing a fall hazard.

This recall involves foldable wood and rope bistro set chairs sold as part of a three- or five-piece set. Some of the sets were sold under Nautica or House & Garden brands. The folding chair sets consist of one small wooden table and two or four foldable chairs made with wood frames, and rope on the seat and back in either gray, turquoise, brown, sand, black, aqua, pink, green, taupe or white, and a gold bar supporting the back legs. Some chairs were sold individually at stores. The chairs were also sold online labeled as three-piece handcrafted in Vietnam and three-piece HD Furniture Group indoor-outdoor rope and Acacia Wood Bistro Table and Chairs Set.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled chairs and contact TJX for instructions on how to receive a full refund and dispose of chairs. Consumers can also return the recalled chairs to any HomeGoods, Marshalls, T.J. Maxx, Homesense or Sierra store for a full refund.

Sold At: Marshalls, T.J. Maxx, HomeGoods, Homesense and Sierra stores nationwide, and online at Homegoods.com, TJmaxx.tjx.com, Marshalls.com, and Sierra.com from March 2020 through September 2023 for between $130 and $350 and between $40 and $80 for chairs sold individually.

For Consumer Contact information click here.

December 14, 2023 from the CPSC :

Traeger Flatrock Flat Top Propane Grills have been recalled because the burner control knob can be incorrectly labeled, which can result in the grill being unintentionally left on, posing a fire hazard.

Consumer Contact: Traeger toll-free at 833-654-2407 seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. MT or online at www.traeger.com/recall or www.traeger.com and click on “Recall” for more information.

This recall involves the Traeger Flatrock Flat Top Grills powered by propane. The product is black in color and has a closeable lid with a silver handle and the name “Traeger” written on it in black with the Traeger logo. The product is approximately 74 inches long by 27 inches wide by 36 inches tall and weighs about 189 lbs. The grills have a silver color label located on the rear with SKU Number as 1DFL42LLA.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled Traeger Flatrock Flat Top Grills and contact Traeger for inspection instructions and, if the burner control knobs are incorrectly labeled, consumers will receive a free repair kit.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received 57 reports of flame adjustment knobs being incorrectly labeled. No fires or injuries have been reported.

Sold At: Ace Hardware, The Home Depot and Scheel’s stores nationwide and online at www.acehardware.com, www.homedepot.com andwww.traeger.com from February 2023 through October 2023 for about $900

Tomato shortage looms as Israeli farmers struggle

December 11, 2023 - from the Vinnews:

"The warnings issued by supermarket chains are now becoming a reality as Eyal Ravid, owner of the Victory chain, predicts an impending shortage of vegetables, particularly tomatoes.

"This shortage is primarily due to a lack of skilled workers available for harvesting and sowing crops for the next season. Ravid expressed his frustration, stating that his vegetable manager is desperately searching for tomatoes in vain, as they are nowhere to be found in the market. The scarcity extends to other produce such as zucchini and cucumbers, leaving the entire country dependent on vegetable imports from Turkey.

"In an attempt to address the crisis, Ravid penned a letter to Economy Minister Nir Barkat, pleading for assistance on behalf of farmers who are struggling to keep Israeli agriculture alive. Ravid emphasized the urgency of the situation, as he warned that without immediate action, Israeli produce will be scarce in the coming months. He stressed the need to initiate a national seeding operation without delay.

"The Agriculture Ministry has been under scrutiny by farmers who feel abandoned in dealing with the shortage of foreign workers, such as those from Thailand. Farmers like Yigal Ben Mukha, owner of the "Tomato" brand, express frustration at the lack of assistance from the ministry in handling the return of foreign workers. The bureaucratic process involved in their return, which includes coordination between the Interior, Labor, and Agriculture Ministries, has been neglected. Farmers feel ignored and abandoned by the government, only receiving attention during times of conflict and emergency situations.

"Ravid proceeded to highlight the importance of addressing the labor shortage promptly. He estimated that 500 workers are needed urgently for a thirty-day period to manage the current crisis effectively. He insisted that even if the price of tomatoes needs to be increased to secure supply, he is willing to pay, as the alternative is relying solely on imports.

"The Agriculture Ministry responded to the criticism, acknowledging the labor shortage of approximately 30,000 workers since the start of the conflict. They stated that the ministry is actively working with the Population and Immigration Authority and the Foreign Ministry to establish bilateral agreements with other countries. An agreement with Sri Lanka has already been signed to bring in workers immediately.

"Additionally, the government has approved the entry of 5,000 foreign workers in agriculture through a private recruitment agency."

"he ministry assured that they are also committed to supporting the recruitment of Israeli workers in agriculture by offering incentives of between NIS 3,000 and NIS 8,000 per employee for three months. They encourage farmers to explore alternative areas within the country for sowing and planting. Furthermore, the ministry is working alongside the Ministry of Finance to reduce production costs and provide dedicated budgets to rehabilitate agriculture in affected regions.

"It is crucial for the government to prioritize the agricultural sector and initiate immediate measures to alleviate the labor shortage. By supporting local farmers and ensuring a robust workforce, Israel can maintain its self-sufficiency in agriculture and prevent heavy reliance on imports."

Chicken doesn’t need to be washed before cooking – here’s why

November 24, 2023 - from the The Conversation:

"Why chicken really shouldn’t be washed: Traces of feathers, slime or dirt might have necessitated washing chicken half a century ago. But nowadays, poultry is pre-washed and ready to cook when you buy it.

"Still, some people seem to think you should wash your chicken in order to remove the dangerous microorganisms raw meat contains. While it’s true chicken does contain harmful microorganisms, washing prior to cooking doesn’t remove them.

"Chicken in particular naturally carries Salmonella and Campylobacter. These can cause very severe illness, with infections causing symptoms such as fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and possibly even septicaemia (blood infection).

"Children, elderly people, pregnant women and those with other health conditions or poor immune systems are most at risk of illness from these bacteria. But even in healthy people, Salmonella and Campylobacter infections can lead to hospitalisations and death.

"Washing chicken prior to cooking does not eliminate all the germs within a chicken. At most, it may only remove the bacteria on the surface. But this practice actually makes the overall infection risk from raw chicken significantly worse, as it may potentially cause the pathogens washed off the chicken skin to spread throughout your kitchen.

"When you put raw chicken under the tap, the bacteria on the skin move into the water stream. This will then be splashed into your sink – and potentially your surrounding counters, cupboards and dish rack. This water spray can travel up to 80cm – the length of the average adult arm. This makes cross-contamination pretty likely, especially if these water droplets have landed elsewhere in your kitchen. It may even contaminate other uncooked foods you later place in the same sink.

"Even if you rinse the sink with water after washing the chicken, this may not be sufficient to remove all the pathogenic bacteria that have become attached.

"You cannot remove the bacteria from your chicken, or indeed any poultry or meat, by washing it. The only way to kill germs and make the food safe to eat is by cooking it.

"Cooking poultry at the correct temperature and for the right amount of time is essential for preventing many foodborne illnesses. While the time and temperature will vary depending on how large your chicken is or the recipe you’re using, your chicken should reach an internal temperature of about 75°C. This is effective at killing bacterial pathogens, including Salmonella and Campylobacter.

"Be sure to use a meat thermometer to check your chicken is safe to eat. Another test is to check the juices from the chicken. If they run clear and there’s no trace of blood, the chicken is probably cooked sufficiently.

"If you’re served what looks like under-cooked chicken, or indeed any poultry, in a restaurant (you can see blood when you cut into the meat) send the food back to be cooked properly.

"The bacteria found on raw poultry is natural even though it’s harmful for humans. But so long as you adequately cook your chicken, it’s still safe to eat."