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.
August 29, 2025 from Food Safety News:
"The CDC has officially confirmed that is no longer tracking six of eight pathogens that cause foodborne illnesses.
"In communication with Food Safety News a spokesperson with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the agency will only track Salmonella and shiga-toxin producing E. coli (STEC) moving forward.
"An unnamed CDC source recently told NBC News that FoodNet — the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network — activities were cut because of inadequate funding.
"Craig Hedberg, a professor in the Division of Environmental Health Sciences at the University of Minnesota and co-director of the Minnesota Integrated Food Safety told the Center of Excellence, told the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy that the cuts to FoodNet put the nation in danger of more foodborne illnesses.
"Alvarado told Food Safety News that while FoodNet will continue surveillance for Salmonella and STEC, two of the six pathogens FoodNet will no longer track — Campylobacter spp. and invasive Listeria monocytogenes — are top causes of “foodborne illnesses and related to hospitalizations and deaths in the United States.”
"He also said there are two other pathogens included in the government’s Healthy People 2030’s goals to reduce foodborne illnesses that will no longer be tracked. FoodNet has played a crucial role in the CDC’s ability to track and investigate foorborne illness outbreaks.
"The CDC’s own estimates, based in part on FoodNet data, show that Campylobacter — which is no longer tracked — alone caused 1.9 million foodborne illness cases in the United States in 2019, beating out Salmonella and STEC. Salmonella, Campylobacter, norovirus, Listeria, and STEC caused the most deaths.
"FoodNet is a joint effort between CDC, the Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and 10 state health departments. Although state health departments are no longer required to track the six pathogens cut from FoodNet, they can continue to conduct surveillance for those pathogens at their own expense.
"The Maryland Health Department told NBC News it would continue reporting for all eight pathogens regardless of changes to FoodNet. On the other hand, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said it would need to scale back surveillance for some pathogens if funding is decreased in Fiscal Year 2026."
August 25, 2025 - from the FDA:
AUDIENCE: Consumer, Patient, Health Care Professional, Pharmacy, Dermatology
ISSUE: DermaRite Industries is expanding the voluntary recall initiated on July 16, due to potential microbial contamination identified as Burkholderia cepacia complex (BCC). Out of an abundance of caution the recall has expanded to include additional products and lots, which can be found in the table below. Please see DermaRite.com for the original recall notice.
Consumers with questions regarding this recall can call Sedgwick at 888-943-5190 or email dermarite5186@sedgwick.com.
Link to recall is here.
August 28, 2025 from Israel National News:
"A new survey by Leket Israel, the national food rescue organization, reveals that financial hardship is now affecting what children in Israel are eating at school. The study, conducted by the Midgam research institute, surveyed 675 parents of elementary school students and found that economic pressures are directly impacting lunchbox contents.
"According to the findings, 35% of parents said they’ve had to cut back on certain food products due to rising prices. For one in three families, cost is the main factor in deciding what goes into their child’s sandwich. Around the same proportion reported switching to cheaper snack options over the past year because of financial constraints.
"The survey also highlights stark income-related differences. Among families earning below the national average, over half said price dictates what goes into their children’s meals—almost five times more than families earning above the average.
"Healthier food options are also being sacrificed. While 20% of parents across the board said they avoid healthy items due to cost, that figure rises sharply to 30% among lower-income families.
"Despite the challenges, many parents are still trying to provide balanced meals: roughly two-thirds described their children’s school meals as healthy and nutritious. Still, for most, the top priority is simply ensuring their child eats. Sixty-six percent of respondents said they care more about their child not returning home hungry—even if that means compromising on health."
August 26, 2025 from Matzav.com:
"Security officials in the United Arab Emirates have ordered all kashrus organizations working in the country to ensure that a security guard accompanies every kashrus mashgiach who visits food production facilities.
"This move comes in response to heightened concerns about possible terror attacks targeting Jews and Jewish institutions in the region.
"The instruction follows a series of recent measures implemented due to warnings about Iran and its affiliated groups plotting to strike Jewish and Israeli locations in the Gulf.
"As a result of the new security policy, the local kashrus authority informed all companies under its supervision that the cost for each mashgiach’s visit would increase by $100 per day to cover the added expense of security personnel.
"A kashrus mashgiach working in the UAE shared that security precautions have been intensified ever since the killing of Chabad emissary Rabbi Zvi Kogan. However, in the past three weeks, the tension has escalated even further, prompting authorities to urge members of the Jewish community to avoid public spaces whenever possible."
August 25, 2025 from Matzav.com:
"Last week, Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich signed an order allowing milk imports without customs fees. However, despite the new directive, the expected shortage during the Tishrei Yomim Tovim—just weeks away—will likely not be resolved. The problem stems from dairy plants halting production for nine consecutive days in order to comply with kashrus standards during the Yomim Tovim period.
"Discussions with importers confirmed that it will take at least two months before any shipments arrive, meaning stores will continue facing significant gaps in supply until then. The Agriculture Ministry had recommended authorizing the limited import of six million liters of milk exclusively for the holiday season, but Smotrich chose instead to approve an open-ended allowance for importing unlimited amounts over the next six months.
"The shortage impacting consumers affects only price-controlled milk. Dairies are prioritizing the production of enriched milk, which sells at a higher price, over the regulated product. In addition, Smotrich’s directive does not obligate importers or stores to sell the imported milk at the controlled price. Some importers have indicated they plan to bring in higher-quality milk with 3.5% fat, which is not under price regulation.
"The order itself is not yet final, as it is still subject to a public hearing. Meanwhile, both the Israel Dairy Board and the Israeli Cattle Breeders’ Association (ICBA), which represents dairy farmers, remain firmly against the measure, arguing that it unnecessarily allows six months of imports rather than limiting them to the Yomim Tovim season, when the shortage is actually expected."
August 14, 2025 from the CPSC in Conjunction with the Government of Canada:
Drinkmate 1L Carbonation Bottles have been recalled because the recalled Drinkmate 1L Carbonation Bottles can explode during use, posing serious impact, laceration and hearing damage hazards to users and bystanders.
Units: About 106,200 (In addition, about 5,000 were sold in Canada)
Consumer Contact: Drinkmate toll-free at 844-812-6241 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, email at Support@idrinkproducts.com or online at https://idrinkproducts.com/pages/drinkmate-safety-recall-of-1l-pet-bottles or https://idrinkproducts.com/ and click the banner at the top of the page or click on “2025 Product Recall” at the bottom of the page for more information.
Description: This recall involves certain 1L Carbonation Bottles with a clear polyethylene terephthalate (PET) body and caps and bases in red, blue, white and black plastic. The recalled bottles have expiration dates between 01/2026 and 10/2026, which are printed on the side of the bottle. Only bottles within these expiration dates are included in the recall. These bottles were sold both individually and as part of some Drinkmate OmniFizz starter kits.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled bottles and contact Drinkmate to receive a free replacement bottle. Consumers will be asked to fill out a replacement form at https://idrinkproducts.com/pages/drinkmate-safety-recall-of-1l-pet-bottles, upload a photo of the bottle permanently marked with the word “Recall” and properly dispose of it. Consumers will receive a code to order the free replacement bottle through Drinkmate’s website, shipping included.
Incidents/Injuries: Drinkmate has received eight reports of the bottle exploding while in use, including four reports resulting in lacerations, impact injuries and hearing damage.
Sold Online At: iDrinkproducts.com, Walmart.com, Amazon.com, Target.com and HomeDepot.com from April 2023 through October 2024 for about $20 individually or $130 as a part of some Drinkmate OmniFizz starter kits.
August 20, 2025 Update from the CPSC
UPDATE: The seller of BASDEHEN faucets, Chenfeng Store, has been unresponsive to consumers and the CPSC, and is no longer honoring the terms of the recall. Consumers should immediately stop using these faucets. Until these faucets can be replaced, consumers should only consume water from the faucets after running the water for 15 seconds.
May 29, 2025 from CPSC :
BASDEHEN Kitchen Faucets, model number CFDTTH-000-YGH have been recalled because the recalled faucets were tested and found to contain lead that can leach into water at levels that can be particularly harmful to infants and young children. The faucets were also found to leach other contaminants.
Lead ingestion can cause harmful neurological effects on infants and young children, including attention-related behavioral problems, decreased cognitive performance and lower IQ.
Consumer Contact: Chenfeng Store by email at ChenfengStoreF@outlook.com.
Description: This recall involves BASDEHEN kitchen faucets, model number CFDTTH-000-YGH. The faucets are matte black single-handle kitchen faucets with 360° swivel, spring spout design, detachable spray, optional mounting plate and single-hole installation. Consumers can identify whether they have a recalled faucet by searching their Amazon purchase history for “Basdehen” and “kitchen faucet.”
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using these faucets and contact Chenfeng Store about disposal and a refund. Consumers will need to provide a photograph of disposal to receive the refund. Amazon is contacting all known purchasers directly.
Until these faucets can be replaced, consumers should only consume water from the faucets after running the water for 15 seconds.
Sold At: Online at www.amazon.com from May 2024 through May 2025 for about $30.
August 14, 2025 from FoodDive
"More food companies are starting to promote a shift away from seed oils as the “Make America Healthy Again” movement positions the controversial ingredients as unhealthy.
"In one of the largest scale announcements so far, Real Good Foods, a maker of better-for-you frozen meals, said it would begin to transition its entire portfolio away from seed oils and instead adopt beef tallow. The company launched a new line of seed oil-free breaded chicken and will begin the process of converting the rest of its products.
"While restaurants, such as Steak N’ Shake and Sweetgreen, have received considerable attention for their commitment to phase out seed oils, Real Good Foods is among a burgeoning group of smaller food companies that are following suit.
"Seed oils are vegetable oils derived from plants including canola, sunflower or soybean seeds. Commonly found in processed or fried products, these oils have become under tighter scrutiny as consumers and regulators alike begin to crack down on ultra-processed foods.
"Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has decried seed oils as 'one of the most unhealthy ingredients that we have in foods,' with critics saying they can break down during the cooking process into compounds that cause inflammation and weaken the immune system.
"Kennedy and others have promoted beef tallow or other oils with higher saturated fat content that remain stable at high heat.
"Nutritionists and health experts have largely debunked the idea that seed oils are less healthy, with decades of research showing the unsaturated fats in seed oils are linked to a lower risk of heart disease. Still, that hasn’t stopped companies from jumping on the seed oil-free bandwagon.
"Scaling use of beef tallow in the U.S. would be a complex endeavor, especially as an ongoing cattle shortage could limit supply of the ingredient. Real Good Foods said the change has had ripple effects throughout its supply chain, impacting the manufacturing process, sourcing strategy and more."
August 13, 2025 - from the FDA:
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning retailers and consumers not to sell or use certain imported cookware that may leach significant levels of lead (Pb) into food. Some types of imported cookware products made from aluminum, brass, and aluminum alloys known as Hindalium/Hindolium or Indalium/Indolium have been tested by FDA and state partners, and found to leach lead into foodExternal Link Disclaimer when used for cooking, thereby making food unsafe. Young children, women of child-bearing age, and those who are breastfeeding may be at higher risk for potential adverse events after eating food cooked using these products.
The product(s) listed here are cookware tested by FDA. FDA’s analysis demonstrates that such products may leach lead into food. Potentially affected products are not limited to this list. Additional products will be added to this alert as needed.
August 10, 2025 - from the BBC:
"France's multi-billion euro mineral water companies are under the spotlight because of climate change and growing concerns about the industry's environmental impact.
"At issue is whether some world-famous brands, notably the iconic Perrier label, can even continue calling themselves 'natural mineral water'
"A decision in the Perrier case is due in the coming months. It follows revelations in the French media about illicit filtration systems that have been widely used in the industry, apparently because of worries about water contamination, after years of drought linked to climate change..
"The story hit the headlines a year ago in France after an investigation by Le Monde and Radio France revealed that at least a third of mineral water sold in France had been illegally treated, either with ultra-violet light, carbon filters or ultra-fine micro-meshes commonly used to screen out bacteria.
"The issue was not one of public health. The treated water was by definition safe to drink.
The problem was that under EU law, 'natural mineral water' – which sells at a huge premium over tap water – is supposed to be unaltered between the underground source and the bottle. That is the whole point of it.
"If brands like Evian, Vichy and Perrier have been so successful in France and around the world, it is thanks to an appealing image of mountain-sides, rushing streams, purity and health-giving minerals.
"Admit filtering the water, and the industry risks breaking the market spell. Consumers might begin to ask what they'd been paying for.
"Complicating matters for Perrier and its parent company Nestlé – as well as President Emmanuel Macron's government – is the charge that executives and ministers conspired to keep the affair quiet, covered up reports of contamination, and re-wrote the rules so that Perrier could continue using micro-filtration.
"Far from the remote mountain landscape you might imagine, Perrier's water is pumped from deep aquifers in the coastal plain between Nîmes and Montpellier, a short drive from the Mediterranean. The area is populous, heavily-farmed, and very hot.
"Perrier says there is no EU ruling that specifically bans micro-filtration. The relevant text simply says that nothing must be done to disinfect or alter the mineral make-up of the water. The argument is over at what measure of micro-filtration alteration begins."
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