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.
November 5, 2026 from the CPSC :
Fire Blaze Lighters violate the mandatory standard for multipurpose lighters because they do not have the required child-resistant mechanisms, posing a risk of serious injury or death from fire and burn hazards. In addition, the lighters failed to meet the pre-market lighter submission requirement needed to demonstrate that the lighters feature child-resistant mechanisms and ensuring their safety and compliance with U.S. regulations.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is warning consumers to immediately stop using Fire Blaze lighters. The lighters violate the mandatory standard for multipurpose lighters because they do not have the required child-resistant mechanisms, posing a risk of serious injury or death from fire and burn hazards.
This warning involves Fire Blaze lighters. The lighters come in grey with wood pattern handle, gold with wood pattern handle, and black (grey with carbon fiber pattern handle). The lighters do not have any labeling.
November 5, 2026 from the CPSC in conjunction with Government of Canada:
SuperFast Sterilizer Dryers have been recalled because the recalled sterilizer dryers can overheat when plugged in and operating, posing a risk of injury from a burn hazard if the surface is handled.
Consumer Contact: Baby Brezza Enterprises toll-free at 888-527-9824 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, email at recall@babybrezza.com or online at https://babybrezza.com/pages/about?view=v3-recalls and www.babybrezza.com and click "Product Safety Recall" at the bottom of the page for more information.
This recall involves the SuperFast Sterilizer Dryer, a countertop appliance that uses a push-button control to sterilize and dry baby bottles, breast pump parts and accessories in ten minutes. The recalled units have model numbers BRZ0083, BRZ0154 and BRZ0156. The model number is printed on the product label located on the bottom of the unit.
Consumers should stop using the recalled sterilizer dryers immediately and contact Baby Brezza Enterprises for a free replacement sterilizer dryer, including shipping at no cost to the consumer. Consumers will be asked to register at https://babybrezza.com/pages/about?view=v3-recalls, complete the recall form, unplug the product, cut the power cord to destroy the sterilizer dryer and upload photos. Send photos of the model number on the label of the dryer the destroyed appliance and the return authorization number to recall@babybrezza.com. After uploading the photos, consumers should dispose of the recalled sterilizer dryers in accordance with local and state ordinances.
Sold At: TJ Maxx and Marshall’s storesnationwide and online at babybrezza.com, target.com and babylist.com from January 2024 through October 2026 for between $160 and $180.
November 5, 2026 from the CPSC :
Gourmia Stainless Steel Digital 9 Slice Digital Air Fryer Ovens have been recalled because the oven’s doors can unexpectedly close when bumped, posing a burn hazard to consumers retrieving hot food.
Consumer Contact: Gourmia toll free at 888-834-0092 Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5p.m. or online at http://www.gourmia.com/recall.asp or Gourmia.com and click on the “Recall Information” link at the top of the page for more information.
This recall involves Gourmia 9-SliceDigitalAir Fryer Ovens with model number GTF7530, and UPC Code 810002862779. The recalled ovens are stainless steel and have two spring-loaded glass front French doors with metal handles. The Ovens can be identified with model and UPC codes on packaging. The Model number GTF7530 and codes 3021 to 0126 can also be found on a label on back of the unit.
Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled Ovens immediately and contact Gourmia for a free repair kit by mail. The repair kit will include an added doorstop and instr
Sold At: Target stores nationwide and online at Target.com from October 2021 through June 2026 for about $150.
November 3, 2026: from the World Israel News:
"European sanctions targeting Israeli businesses in Judea and Samaria risk worsening the economic conditions driving Palestinians to seek a future elsewhere, including in Europe itself, experts warned The Press Service of Israel.
"Sanctions, such as those recently spearheaded by Britain, may undermine businesses and fuel Palestinian emigration to Europe, they said.
"For Palestinians employed by Israeli businesses, the consequences of boycotts and sanctions can be immediate.
"Workers in Israeli industrial zones in Judea and Samaria often earn nearly twice as much as their counterparts working for Palestinian employers.
"Closing or relocating these businesses can deprive thousands of Palestinians of relatively well-paid jobs, pushing them into unemployment or forcing them to accept substantially lower wages.
"The economic pressures come amid a broader phenomenon of Palestinian emigration.
"Surveys have repeatedly found that significant numbers of Palestinians, particularly young people, would leave if given the opportunity.
"Economic hardship, insecurity, and pessimism about the future are among the principal reasons.
"The result is a growing contradiction: European governments that say they want to improve Palestinian living conditions may be supporting policies that make remaining in Palestinian communities increasingly difficult.
"Palestinian workers could face two distinct risks: reduced European orders could lead affected businesses in Judea and Samaria to cut jobs, potentially affecting some of the 17,600 Palestinians employed there, while any Israeli decision to revoke work permits in response to the restrictions could also affect Palestinians employed inside the Green Line."
October 30, 2026: from the USDA:
" U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins today announced that 8 additional meat and poultry companies have adopted USDA’s voluntary Product of USA (POTUSA) label, building on the strong momentum behind the Trump Administration’s efforts to help consumers easily identify products that are truly born, raised, harvested, and processed in the United States. With today’s announcement, more than 30 companies have committed to the label since USDA launched its nationwide campaign earlier this year.
"As more processors adopt the Product of USA label, American families heading to the grocery store or local supplier this holiday season can shop with greater confidence that when they purchase products bearing the claim, they are directly supporting American farmers, ranchers, processors, and rural communities. The following kosher meat companies have adopted USDA’s Product of USA label:
November 2, 2021: from the i24 news:
"Israel’s National Cyber Directorate on Monday issued an urgent warning to supermarket chains, food companies and logistics centers, calling on them to immediately secure their refrigeration and freezer systems against potential cyberattacks.
"The warning comes following a sudden wave of cyberattacks across Europe, during which hackers reportedly gained remote access to supermarket temperature-control systems, manipulated cooling settings and activated defrost cycles, causing large quantities of food to spoil.
"The attacks reportedly resulted in significant financial losses and operational disruptions, with some incidents also causing damage to equipment and fires.
"In response, Israel’s National Cyber Directorate has urged companies to take immediate precautions to protect their refrigeration infrastructure from similar attacks.
"The directorate recommended ensuring that control systems are not directly connected to the internet, replacing default passwords and updating outdated systems to address potential security vulnerabilities.
"Companies were also advised to secure remote access using multi-factor authentication and install independent alert systems capable of detecting unusual temperature changes.
"Additionally, the directorate has asked companies to report the results of their security checks, as well as any suspicious activity, to Israel’s National Cyber Directorate hotline."
October 29, 2026 from the CPSC :
Whatever Works Microwave Grillers have been recalled because the recalled grills can overheat and ignite, posing a risk of serious injury or death from fire hazard.
Consumer Contact: Whatever Works toll-free at 877-756-5053 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, email at help@whateverworks.com, or online at Whateverworks.com/recall or Whateverworks.com/ and click on “Customer Service/Product Recall” for more information.
Description: This recall involves Whatever Works microwave grillers. The rectangular grills have a white plastic exterior with black locking clips on the side, hinge tabs at the rear, and two non-stick black metal plates. Model K4001 can be found on the product’s purchase receipt.
Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled grills immediately and contact Whatever Works for a full refund. Consumers will be asked to write in permanent marker “Recalled” on the grill and send a photo of the marked grill to recall@whateverworks.com. Consumers will be provided with a prepaid label to return the recalled product.
Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received three reports of grills igniting, all resulting in fires. No injuries have been reported.
Sold Online At: Whateverworks.com from January 2025 through June 2026 for about $22.
Retailer(s): Potpourri Group, Inc., dba Whatever Works, of Billerica, Massachusetts
October 29, 2026 from the CPSC :
Bodum French Press coffee makers with 8-cup and 12-cup replaceable glass carafes (Bistro, Brazil, Caffettiera, Chambord, Crema, Java, Jesper, and Kenya models) have been recalledbecause the carafe can unexpectedly break during use if the glass carafe is damaged or cracked, including by use of a metal spoon to stir the coffee, posing a risk of serious burn injuries.
Consumer Contact: Bodum USA toll-free at 888-879-8213 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, email at Bodum3302@sedgwick.com, or online at www.bodumfrenchpressrecall.expertinquiry.com or www.bodum.com and click on “Recall Information” for more information.
Description: This recall involves Bodum 8-cup and 12-cup Bistro, Brazil, Caffettiera, Chambord, Crema, Java, Jesper, and Kenya model French Press coffee makers with replaceable glass carafes. The Bodum name appears on the frame and inner lid of most models, and is engraved, along with product warnings, on the glass carafes. Additional photos and model-identifying information are available on the recall website.
emedy: Consumers should stop using metal spoons or utensils to stir coffee in the glass carafe immediately and contact Bodum to receive a plastic Bodum stirring spoon and warning label. The label reminds consumers not to use cracked or damaged carafes and not to use metal spoons to stir contents in the glass carafe in order to avoid damaging the glass, which can lead to breakage during use.
Incidents/Injuries: Bodum USA has identified 70 reports of carafes breaking during use, including 48 reports of burns to consumers.
Sold At: Target, Walmart, and coffee and home goods stores nationwide and online at Bodum.com, Amazon.com, Target.com, Walmart.com and other online retailers from 1974 through October 2026 for about $15 to $65.
October 26, 2026: from the VinNews
"Met Council opened a $25 million warehouse and conference center in Canarsie on Monday, expanding its capacity to distribute fresh kosher food to families across New York.
"The facility includes expanded cold storage and modern inventory systems designed to increase distribution of fresh food, including chicken, fish, eggs, produce and dairy. Artificial intelligence tools will help forecast demand, optimize delivery routes and reduce food waste.
"Met Council, which describes itself as the nation’s largest Jewish charity dedicated to fighting poverty, distributed more than 20 million pounds of food in fiscal year 2026. Its food assistance and social service programs serve about 350,000 New Yorkers annually, including families, seniors and Holocaust survivors.
"The new warehouse gives the organization a permanent facility designed to support its growing operations, with the capacity to provide food assistance to as many as 1 million New Yorkers, Greenfield said.
"The facility will support Met Council’s holiday food distributions before Rosh Hashanah, Sukkos and Passover. The organization said it distributed more than 2 million pounds of kosher food during the recent Tishrei holiday season.
"The warehouse also supports the organization’s National School Lunch Program, which provides kosher lunches to students in 144 schools, as well as home deliveries to Holocaust survivors and homebound seniors, mobile food pantries and year-round community distributions.
"An on-site digital food pantry will serve residents of Canarsie, allowing customers to select groceries online and pick up their orders. The program offers fresh produce, proteins, dairy products and pantry staples, including kosher options. UJA-Federation of New York helped fund the initiative.
"The facility will also support Met Council’s work through New York’s Social Care Network program, which provides medically tailored meals and nutritious groceries to eligible Medicaid members.
"The project was funded through city, state, federal and private support. State Sen. Sam Sutton secured a $1 million state matching grant, which was matched by Met Council donors and board members. Former New York City Council Speaker Adrienne E. Adams also helped secure city funding for the project."
October 22, 2026 from the CPSC :
bblüv Grow High Chairs have been recalled because the high chairs violate the mandatory safety standard for high chairs because the restraint systems were not preassembled to the products, posing deadly fall and entrapment hazards.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is warning consumers to stop using bblüv Grow high chairs immediately. The high chairs violate the mandatory safety standard for high chairs because the restraint systems were not preassembled to the products, posing deadly fall and entrapment hazards.
CPSC urges consumers to stop using the high chairs immediately and dispose of them. Do not sell or give away these hazardous products.
CPSC issued a Notice of Violation concerning this product. bblüv Group has not agreed to an acceptable corrective action plan for these high chairs.
This recall involves bblüv Grow high chairs. The high chairs have a gray plastic molded bucket-style seat with a matching fabric seat cover, a gray plastic tray and four wooden legs. The high chair converts into a toddler chair. The bblüv logo is printed in white on the front edge of the tray.
Sold At: The high chairs were sold by third-party sellers and on other websites.
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