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.
June 11, 2026 from the CPSC :
Sekaer Electric Kettles have been recalled because the kettles can pressurize and release hot steam or liquid unexpectedly, posing a risk of serious injury or death from burn hazard.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is warning consumers to stop using Sekaer Electric Kettles immediately because the kettles can pressurize and release hot steam or liquid unexpectedly, posing a risk of serious injury or death from burn hazard.
CPSC urges consumers to stop using the kettles immediately and dispose of them. Do not sell or give away these hazardous kettles.
The Chinese seller, Sekaer Store, has been unresponsive to CPSC’s requests for a recall of these kettles.
Sold Online At: Amazon.com, Walmart.com, eBay.com and Sears.com.
June 17, 2026 from Yeshiva World:
"Days after four toddlers were rushed to the emergency room at Hadassah Ein Kerem Medical Center suffering from drowsiness and weakness, and traces of sedatives were found in their blood, Israel’s Health Ministry announced Wednesday that laboratory tests confirmed the presence of sedative substances in the baby food the toddlers had consumed before falling ill.
"Testing found the pharmaceutical substances Clonazepam (sold under the brand name Klonopin) and Lorazepam (sold under the brand name Lorivan) in jars of Prinok fruit puree for babies that were sold at two branches of the Zol U’Begadol supermarket chain on Rechov Yaffo in Jerusalem. Both medications are sedatives from the benzodiazepine family and are intended for adult use.
"In the wake of the findings, the Health Ministry issued immediate closure orders for the two stores where the products were purchased: the “Machane” branch at Rechov Yaffo 113 and the branch at Rechov Yaffo 214 in Jerusalem. Police have also opened an investigation into the incident, and according to a Channel 12 report, the Shin Bet is also involved in the investigation.
"The Ministry has warned consumers not to use products purchased from the two Zol B’Gadol stores on Rechov Yaffo. It also advised against consuming products that were not sold in their original packaging, products with unusual color, appearance, or smell, or products whose vacuum-seal mechanism is not functioning properly.
"At this stage, the Health Ministry has not ordered a nationwide recall of all Prinok baby food products, stating that no indication was found of a manufacturing defect, production failure, or contamination at the production facility. All tests conducted on products obtained from the importers were found to be normal. Investigators are therefore examining the possibility that the substances were introduced into the products at a later stage.
"All four children who were hospitalized—two pairs of siblings, ages one and three—were discharged from Hadassah Ein Kerem the day after admission and are reported to be in good condition."
June 11, 2026 from the CPSC :
Kidisle Coffeemakers have been recalled because the recalled coffeemakers can become clogged causing hot liquid or steam to build up and be released unexpectedly during use, posing a risk of serious injury from burn hazard.
Consumer Contact: By email at KidisleKC101Brecall@outlook.com.
Description: This recall involves Kidisle-branded hot and iced coffee machines. The single-serve coffeemaker is designed with black, white and gray colors, measures about 11 inches high and 6 inches wide, and has a 50-ounce detachable water tank. The coffeemakers can brew 6 to 14 ounces of cupped or ground coffee. Model “KC101B” is printed on a sticker on the coffeemakers’ underside and the brand name on the product order receipt.
Remedy: Consumers should stop using the coffeemakers immediately and contact Kidisle for a full refund. Consumers will be asked to destroy the coffeemaker by unplugging and cutting the power cord, write “Recalled” in permanent marker on it, and send a photo of the destroyed product with a visible model number and cut power cord, to KidisleKC101Brecall@outlook.com.
Incidents/Injuries: CPSC is aware of at least 107 reports of the coffeemakers releasing hot liquid or steam unexpectedly, resulting in at least 27 reported injuries, including first and second-degree burns that required medical treatment.
Sold Online At: Amazon.com, Walmart.com and eBay.com from June 2024 through April 2026 for about $49.
June 11, 2026 from the CPSC :
Kitchen HQ Thermal Insulated Bowls with Detachable Hinged Lids have been recalled because metal springs in the detachable hinged lid of the insulated bowls can catch fire when used in the microwave, posing a fire hazard.
Consumer Contact: HSN toll-free at 888-520-2197 from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, email at thermalbowls@realtimeresults.net, or online at https://www.recallrtr.com/thermalbowls or https://www.hsn.com and click “Recall Information” at the bottom of the page for more information.
Description: This recall involves certain Kitchen HQ brand thermal insulated bowls with detachable-hinged lids. The bowls, which were sold in a variety of colors, have a metal interior and a plastic exterior with the words “KITCHEN HQ” written across the front. Affected models include the 10-cup bowl (SKN 817800), the pair of 10.5-cup and 2-cup bowls sold as a set (SKN 884907), and the 10.4-cup, 6-cup, and 2-cup bowls sold as a set of three (SKN 900600).
Remedy: Consumers should stop using the insulated bowls immediately and contact HSN for a full refund on a complete bowl and lid set. A partial refund is also available for consumers who wish to keep the insulated bowls without the lid.
Sold At: HSN.com, HSN televised shows, and HSN digital shopping platforms from July 2023 through February 2026 for between $20 and $60.
June 8, 2026 from Matzav.com:
"Consumers across Israel are reporting growing difficulty finding cottage cheese, white cheese, and other popular dairy products, as supply disruptions tied to a production problem at a major Tnuva facility continue to affect supermarket shelves weeks after the initial incident.
"According to a report by Ynet, the shortage stems from a malfunction that occurred approximately three weeks ago at Tnuva’s Alon Tavor manufacturing plant, disrupting production of several cup-packaged dairy products, including cottage cheese and white cheese.
"The supply issues were expected to be resolved sooner, but the recovery process was delayed by production interruptions during the Shavuos period.
"Shoppers continue to report difficulty locating 5% white cheese and, in particular, 9% white cheese in 250-gram containers. Cottage cheese remains unavailable in some stores as well, although inventory levels have begun to improve gradually in recent days.The supply issues were expected to be resolved sooner, but the recovery process was delayed by production interruptions during the Shavuos period. tores as well, although inventory levels have begun to improve gradually in recent days.
"In an effort to ease the shortage, Tnuva increased production of larger white cheese containers in 500-gram and 750-gram sizes. However, many consumers say the larger packages are not an ideal substitute, both because of their purchasing habits and limited refrigerator space.
"The effects of the shortage have also been felt by competing dairy producers, which have experienced increased demand as customers seek alternatives to unavailable Tnuva products. Consumers have additionally reported shortages of Tnuva yogurt and sour cream in some locations.
"Tnuva told Ynet that supplies of 250-gram white cheese containers are expected to return to normal distribution during the course of this week.?
June 4, 2026 from the CPSC :
Boon NURSH 8 oz Reusable Baby Bottles have been recalled because the hard plastic outer shell can bubble or partially peel off, resulting in loose pieces of film-like plastic that pose a choking hazard to young children.
Consumer Contact: OMY toll-free at 866-725-4407 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday, by email at cs@tomy.com, or online at https://recall.tomy.com/nursh, or https://us.tomy.com and click on “Product Recalls” at the top of the page for more information.
Description: This recall involves Boon NURSH 8 oz Reusable Baby Bottles 3-Pack in pink tie dye. The recalled bottles were sold in a package containing three bottles. The bottles have a hard outer plastic shell that encases a soft silicone pouch. The Boon logo is on the side of the bottle’s hard plastic shell. Item number B11654 and the UPC 669028116546 are printed on the bottom of the packaging.
Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled baby bottles immediately and contact TOMY to receive a refund in the form of a $22 booninc.com store credit or a replacement set of three bottles in a different color.
Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received 135 reports of bubbling or peeling of the outer plastic shell. No injuries have been reported.
Sold Exclusively At: Walmart stores and online at Walmart.com from November 2025 through May 2026 for about $20.
May 29, 2026 from Glatt Mart facebook page
Kings Highway Glatt Mart, Brooklyn NY had a fire and is currently closed.
August 14, 2025 from Food Processing
'A growing recognition of ‘healthy’ fats and the new Dietary Guidelines are tempting many processors to change their oil.
"Teddy’s Tallow Chips is riding a wave of popularity for beef tallow, powered by a growing understanding that traditional animal fats may not deserve the bad reputation they have long held.
"Add to that the increasing popularity of avocado oil in food processing, and manufacturers suddenly have two more options to consider when developing – or revising – product formulations.
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."
June 3, 2026 from Jerusalem Post:
"The Knesset passed in the first reading a bill to cancel the 2021 kashrut reform on Tuesday evening, shortly before the Knesset is expected to dissolve, in a move that could prevent Israel’s official kashrut certification market from opening to broader competition.
"The vote passed 49-34.
"The bill targets a reform approved in 2021 but largely stuck in limbo since. The reform was designed to move Israel’s kashrut system away from one controlled almost entirely by the Chief Rabbinate and local rabbinates, and toward a regulated market in which private kashrut bodies could also issue official certificates.
"That broader market never fully materialized.
"According to the Competition Authority, because the reform has not been fully implemented, official kashrut certification for food businesses remains controlled by local rabbinates. A business seeking basic kashrut certification must generally receive it from the local rabbinate in the city or area where it operates.
"The authority noted that even businesses seeking stricter certification, such as Badatz, are still required to receive certification from the local rabbinate.
"The authority noted that even businesses seeking stricter certification, such as Badatz, are still required to receive certification from the local rabbinate.
"The reform sought to address the problem by having licensed kashrut corporations employ the supervisors, rather than the supervised businesses. It was also meant to apply to imported products, allowing private kashrut bodies to certify imports and potentially reduce kashrut costs in import channels.
"One part of the reform did take effect: local religious councils were allowed to issue kashrut certification outside their own municipal areas. That was meant to create immediate competition between local rabbinates and give businesses alternatives to their own local rabbinate, particularly where local kashrut monopolies were viewed as especially problematic.
"But shortly after Religious Services Minister Michael Malchieli of Shas entered office in December 2022, he moved to delay the reform’s broader implementation.
"In practice, that left the reform largely dormant: local rabbinates were legally able to certify businesses outside their own areas, but the option was not widely used, and the core mechanism of licensing private national kashrut bodies did not materialize.
"The timing of the first-reading vote carries procedural significance. A bill that has passed first reading may be eligible for continuity in the next Knesset, allowing the next parliament to resume the legislative process from that stage rather than beginning again from scratch."
June 1, 2026 from JNS:
"Israeli-born chef Raz Shabtai learned that his restaurant Mutra, in North Miami, had become the world’s first kosher eatery to earn a Michelin star during a livestreamed ceremony on May 28.
"Mutra is the first restaurant under strict kosher supervision to earn a Michelin star, and it is the only restaurant in Miami to receive a new star. It also has a Hebrew sign at its entrance stating, 'you are blessed when you arrive, and you are blessed when you leave.'
"The ruling on the restaurant shows that the guide is 'extremely true to the food, how you execute your dishes,' the chef told JNS.
"The restaurant’s menu changes every three to four months and features dishes rooted in Middle Eastern and Israeli culinary traditions made with contemporary techniques.
"Shabtai said that the team tried to operate at a Michelin-star level from its earliest days, despite not knowing if inspectors had ever visited."
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