K A S H R U T . C O M_©

August 1, 2025 from Matzav.com:

"The Trump administration announced on Thursday that starting Friday, the U.S. will impose a 15% tariff on products brought in from Israel. This move is part of President Donald Trump’s wider trade strategy aimed at recalibrating global commerce.

"The change was made official through an executive order signed by President Trump, which updates the reciprocal tariff arrangements the U.S. maintains with various nations.

"This adjustment brings the rate down slightly from the 17% figure that was publicized in April, reducing it by two points. At the time, the 17% tariff was introduced as a temporary measure under the administration’s shifting trade framework.

"An Israeli official involved in economic policy, speaking to Channel 12 News, characterized the new policy as “disappointing,” explaining that Israel had expected the rate would be brought down to 10%."

July 31, 2025 from the CPSC in Conjunction with the Government of Canada:

Cosco 2-Step Kitchen Stepper has been recalled because the safety bar can detach or break while in use, posing serious fall and injury hazards to consumers.

Consumer Contact: Dorel toll-free at 888-628-3778 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, email at recall@coscoproducts.com, or online at https://www.coscoproducts.com and click on “SAFETY NOTICES” at the top of the page for more information.

Description: This recall involves the Cosco 2-step kitchen stepper, a folding stepstool with two steps and a safety bar that attaches to the back of the product, with model numbers 11349WHG1E, 11349GRN1E, 11349NVY1E, 11349WHG2, 11349GRN4, 11349GRN12, 11349WHG12C, 11349WHG12W, 11349WHG4F, and 11349CBWH4T. The kitchen steppers are sold in white/gray, green, navy, and blue colors. The Cosco logo is molded onto the handle. Model information is located on a label on one of the arms of the kitchen stepper.

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the safety bar on the recalled kitchen stepper immediately and store the stepper away from children until repaired. Contact Dorel to receive a free repair kit, including shipping. The repair kit includes a sliding locking mechanism that attaches to the safety bar to prevent the safety bar from detaching or breaking during use. Consumers will also receive installation instructions and an additional warning label to place onto the product.

Incidents/Injuries: Cosco has received 34 reports of the safety bar detaching or breaking, including two incidents resulting in head injuries.

Sold At: Target, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Walmart, and BJ’s Wholesale Club stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com, Wayfair.com, and Overstock.com from February 2021 through July 2025 for between $56 and $70.

July 15, 2025 from FoodDive

• "Turkey Hill Dairy and dozens of other U.S. ice cream makers are pledging to remove artificial colors from their products by 2028 as more food makers look to comply with a push by the FDA to rely more on natural ingredients.
• "The commitment is spearheaded by the International Dairy Foods Association, which represents the commercial ice cream industry. Companies making more than 90% of the ice cream volume sold in the U.S. are taking part in the pledge.
• "The ice cream commitment includes products sold in grocery stores and parlors supplied by major manufacturers. It does not apply to ice cream made with non-dairy ingredients or made in-house by small shops.
• "Many commercial ice cream makers have already phased out certified artificial colors, the IDFA noted. For those still making the transition, the association is convening a working group of ingredients suppliers and dairy companies to ensure an adequate supply of alternative ingredients.
• "The IDFA said it took the step as federal and state policies remain misaligned. While the FDA has declared artificial colors safe for use, states such as West Virginia have moved to ban these ingredients in retail or school foods as part of the 'Make America Healthy Again Movement.'
• "U.S. dairy companies have pledged to remove artificial colors in milk, cheese and yogurt products sold to schools by July 2026."

July 17, 2025 from the FoodDive

"President Donald Trump said Coca-Cola agreed to use cane sugar in its namesake soda in the U.S., but the beverage giant stopped short of confirming his claim.

"A Coca-Cola spokesperson, when asked about Trump’s post, said the company appreciated the president’s 'enthusiasm for our iconic Coca-Cola brand.' They added that 'more details on new innovative offerings within our Coca-Cola product range will be shared soon.'

"For four decades, Coca-Cola sold in the U.S. has generally been sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup. Coke in some countries, such as Mexico, uses sugar."

Ed. note: There is speculation in the Jewish media that Coke would be kosher for Passover year-round is Passover Coke is made with sugar. This is probably not correct, since Coke contains other ingredients besides the sweetener. .

July 10, 2025 from the Food Processing

"Luxembourg’s Ferrero Group will become one of the largest and broadest food processors in the U.S. with its $3.1 billion deal to acquire iconic U.S. cereal company WK Kellogg Co.

"The two sides this morning (July 10) announced a definitive agreement with Ferrero – maker of Nutella and more recently acquirer of Nestle’s U.S. candy business and ice cream maker Wells Enterprises/Blue Bunny – paying $23 per share in cash. Kellogg’s stock had been hovering between $15-18 per share.

"The acquisition includes the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of WK Kellogg Co's portfolio of breakfast cereals across U.S., Canada and the Caribbean. International cereals went with snack-heavy Kellanova when the former Kellogg Co. split in two in October 2023.

"Kellanova didn’t last long either; it’s in the midst of being acquired by Mars Inc., which has been approved by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission but is being held up by European antitrust regulators.

"Since the split, WK Kellogg’s sales and net income have dipped – from $2.763 billion sales and $110 million net in 2023 to $2.708 billion sales and $72 million net in 2024. In its first quarter of this year, sales declined another 6.2% and net income another 45.5%.

"Ferrero’s North American portfolio includes self-developed brands Nutella, Kinder, Tic Tac and Ferrero Rocher, as well as acquired brands Butterfinger, Keebler, Famous Amos, Jelly Belly, Nerds, Trolli, Blue Bunny, Bomb Pop and Halo Top.

"The agreement has been unanimously approved by Kellogg’s board of directors, but still needs approval by WK Kellogg Co shareowners, regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions and is currently expected to close in the second half of this year."