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.
May 19, 2026 from JNS:
"Ahead of the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, Israel’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security published 2025 data showing continued gains in dairy-sector efficiency alongside evolving consumption trends. `
"Shavuot, which marks the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, begins at sundown on Thursday. A widespread custom is to consume dairy foods during the holiday period, typically drives a sharp seasonal rise in demand.
"According to the ministry’s figures, average dairy consumption in Israel reached about 157 liters (41.5 U.S. gallons) per person in 2025, measured in milk-equivalent dairy products. At the same time, average milk yield per cow rose to approximately 12,600 liters (3,330 gallons) annually, or about 34.6 liters (9.15 gallons) per day. The average dairy farm produced roughly 2.7 million liters (713,000 gallons).
"Seasonal demand ahead of Shavuot remains a significant driver of short-term consumption patterns. The ministry reported a 63% increase in dairy demand in the period leading up to the holiday.
"The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security also noted that the Knesset Economic Affairs Committee recently approved updated dairy industry planning regulations promoted by the ministry. Officials said the measures are intended to strengthen supply stability and reduce the risk of shortages, particularly during peak demand periods.
"At the same time, the sector continues to face multiple pressures, including rising feed costs linked to Russia’s war in Ukraine, volatility in global dairy commodity markets, and domestic drought conditions affecting feed crops. Climate change is also increasing operational challenges, including higher cooling requirements and impacts on herd fertility.
"On the consumption side, demand for locally produced dairy products rose by 1.2% in 2025 compared to 2024. However, per capita consumption declined by around 0.6%, a divergence that likely reflects population growth and shifting product preferences within the market.
"The ministry also highlighted the continued expansion of plant-based dairy alternatives. Between 2004 and 2025, per capita consumption of plant-based substitutes increased fivefold. In 2025, approximately 35.3 million liters (9.3 million gallons) of plant-based milk alternatives were sold in retail chains, led by oat, soy and almond beverages.
"Retail dairy sales reached an estimated 11.4 billion shekels ($3.9 billion) in 2025, averaging about 216 million shekels ($74 million) per week. In the week leading up to Shavuot, sales rose sharply to 353 million shekels ($120.9 million), with the strongest increases recorded in cream, specialty cheeses and soft cheeses."
May 14, 2026 from The Shelby Report:
"Food-at-home prices rose 0.7 percent in April – the sharpest monthly increase so far this year – as energy market disruptions and ongoing supply chain pressures pushed grocery costs higher for American families and retailers alike.
"The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported May 12 that the overall Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers rose 0.6 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis in April, with food away from home increasing a more modest 0.2 percent over the same period.
"Five of the six major grocery store food group indexes moved higher in April. The index for meats, poultry, fish and eggs increased 1.3 percent, with beef alone rising 2.7 percent. Fruits and vegetables advanced 1.8 percent, nonalcoholic beverages rose 1.1 percent, dairy and related products increased 0.8 percent and cereals and bakery products edged up 0.1 percent. Over the past 12 months, food-at-home prices are up 2.9 percent, according to BLS – aligning with USDA’s current full-year forecast for 2026.
"FMI – The Food Industry Association responded to the April data by pointing to global energy market instability as a central factor.
"The energy picture underlying these numbers is stark. Energy prices soared 17.9 percent year-over-year in April, led by a 54.3 percent increase in fuel oil and a 28.4 percent jump in gasoline. The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz – following military strikes earlier this spring – has stalled shipping and caused Brent crude prices to remain elevated near $120 per barrel. These disruptions have also created fertilizer bottlenecks during the critical North American planting season.
"The cost of moving food remains a primary concern for the industry. While the national average for diesel sits at $5.67 per gallon, prices in high-cost regions like the West Coast have spiked past $7.00, making the transport of perishable goods increasingly expensive.
"Tariffs continue to add pressure in the produce category. While a recent court ruling on May 7 challenged the 10 percent duty on Mexican tomatoes, the long-standing 17.5 percent anti-dumping deposit rate continues to impact the supply chain for a crop that accounts for nearly two-thirds of U.S. consumption. Supply chain experts warn that food and beverage manufacturers may have limited ability to absorb these costs, having already deployed most available tools in response to previous pandemic-era and tariff-related increases.
"Significant uncertainty remains in the outlook, with labor, transportation, energy, weather, and trade disputes all contributing to a wide forecasting range. USDA’s prediction interval for food-at-home CPI in 2026 currently spans 0.0 percent to 4.8 percent."
May 14, 2026 from the CPSC :
Cosyland Children’s Tower Stools have been recalled because the recalled tower stools can collapse or tip over while in use, and a child’s torso can fit through the openings on the front and back sides, posing a risk of serious injury and death due to tip over, fall and entrapment hazards.
Consumer Contact: Cosyland toll free at 866-677-3889 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT, Monday through Friday, or by email at customerservice@cosyland.com, online at www.cosyland.com/pages/recall, or www.cosyland.com and click on “Product Recalls” at the top of the page for more information.
Description: This recall involves Cosyland-branded children’s tower stools, models CS0003 and CS0092-4. The tower stools were sold in natural bamboo and gray, and measure about 16 inches deep by 18 inches wide and 35 inches tall. “COSYLAND” and warning labels are visible along the top rails.
Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled tower stools immediately and store them away from children until repaired. Contact Cosyland Official for repair parts, which include protective nets, stabilizing feet, and installation instructions. The firm will mail the repair parts directly to consumers free of charge.
Sold Online At: Amazon.com from April 2021 through November 2025 for around $70.
May 14, 2026 from the CPSC in conjunction with Government of Canada:
Electric Kettles (ENFINIGY 1.5 l and ENFINIGY Pro 1.5 l) have been recalled because the kettle’s handle can loosen and separate from the kettle, causing hot contents to spill, posing a risk of serious injury due to a burn hazard.
About 113,440 (In addition, about 43,963 were sold in Canada and about 48 were sold in Mexico)
Consumer Contact: Zwilling J. A. Henckels Aktiengesellschaft toll free at 866-963-4583 or via email at enfinigy-kettle-recall@zwilling.com or online at zwilling.com/kettle-recall or zwilling.com and click on “Recall” at the top of the page for more information.
Description: This recall involves ZWILLING J. A. Henckels Aktiengesellschaft Enfinigy Kettle (1.5 l) and Enfinigy Kettle Pro (1.5 l). The electric stainless-steel kettles come in various colors including black, silver, rose, gold, and pure-white. ZWILLING is silk printed on the kettle itself. Affected model numbers are: 53101-200, 53101-201 (1.5L ENFINIGY Electric Kettle); 53101-500, 53101-501, 53101-502, 53101-503, 53101-504 (1.5L ENFINIGY Electric Kettle Pro). The model numbers and “ZWILLING” can be found on the bottom of the kettle and the bottom of the power base.
Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled kettles immediately and contact ZWILLING J. A. Henckels Aktiengesellschaft for a full refund. Consumers in the U.S. should visit www.zwilling.com/kettle-recall for instructions on how to make the kettle unusable, which includes unplugging the kettle, cutting the cord, and uploading a photo of the product. Afterwards, consumers should safely dispose of the product.
Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received five reports of incidents in connection with the kettle’s handle separating, including one reported second-degree burn. In total, the firm has received 163 reports of the kettle’s handle separating or loosening.
Sold At: HomeGoods stores nationwide and online at zwilling.com from December 2019 to February 2026 for between $120 and $200.
May 13, 2026 - from KCRG
"The Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office said a fire started in a boiler room on site and was contained to that area. There were no injuries reported.
"At least five different fire crews were dispatched to assist with the fire around 2 a.m. Wednesday, including Postville, Decorah, Luana, Castalia and Clermont. Area Police, Sheriff’s Offices and ambulances also responded.
"Agri Star also confirmed there was a fire at the plant.
March 11, 2026 from Food Ingredients 1st:
From the article: "Vitamin D3 from light-activated mealworm flour was also featured in foods at the Nutriearth stand. The France-based company highlighted the new vitamin source, which is positioned for its strong bioavailability and high absorption rate that is “unmatched on the market.” Vitamin D-fortified fruit purees and madeleines are available today in senior living facilities using its N-utra ingredient."
March 11, 2026 from VinNews:
"The National Labor Court rejected an employee’s lawsuit against the Yochananoff supermarket chain for compensation over alleged harassment, invasion of privacy, and wrongful dismissal, after an argument broke out between him and a kashrus supervisor at one of the branches regarding clarification of the employee’s Jewish status.
"The employee worked for Yochananoff as a chef in the prepared-food departments of two company branches. Shortly after beginning work at the Rehovot branch, a dispute erupted between him and the kosher supervisor, after which the supervisor demanded that the employee present his ID card in order to verify whether he was Jewish. When the employee did not provide the ID, the kosher supervisor ordered him to stop cooking until the matter was clarified. The employee refused to comply, and the supervisor threatened to revoke the department’s kosher certification.
"The following day, the employee reported to work while various company officials held discussions with representatives of the local religious council in an attempt to reach a practical solution. Eventually, it was decided that the employee would temporarily work only in the cold kitchen while his Jewish status remained in question. A few days later, a meeting was held between the company’s legal adviser and managers and representatives of the religious council. It was agreed that until the matter was clarified, the employee could return to working as head chef in the hot kitchen, but with certain restrictions, such as a prohibition on lighting fires.
"Ultimately, relations between the parties deteriorated following an incident in which the employee allegedly performed actions in the kitchen that violated the imposed restrictions. Several weeks later, the company informed him that he was being dismissed.
"The Regional Labor Court rejected all aspects of the employee’s lawsuit. Among other things, the ruling stated that verifying Jewish status, in itself, does not contradict Israel’s Equal Employment Opportunities Law, and that there was no flaw in either the dismissal or the hearing process that preceded it.
"The employee appealed to the National Labor Court. In its ruling, the court, by majority opinion, upheld the appeal’s rejection, largely adopting the Regional Court’s reasoning. However, it added several preliminary comments and focused on the key issue: whether the employer’s conduct toward the employee was lawful and whether the dismissal decision was legal.
"The majority opinion ruled, among other things, that within the employer-employee relationship, the company had fulfilled its duty of good faith. The employer attempted to minimize the impact of the investigation on the employee, worked with the religious council to explore ways to return him to work, and continued paying his full salary throughout the process.
"n addition, the court found no reason to interfere with the Regional Court’s determination that the employee’s conduct, specifically violating the restrictions by lighting a fire, justified summoning him to a hearing and dismissing him.
"A public representative who joined the majority opinion acknowledged the discomfort arising from the fact that an employer has no authority or practical ability to intervene in decisions made by the external body supervising the kashrus inspector. Nevertheless, she agreed that the employer had fulfilled its duty of good faith and that it was difficult to see what more the company could have done.
"The dissenting opinion argued that the appeal should have been accepted, reasoning that in employer-employee relations the worker is the weaker party and the employer owes an enhanced duty of good faith. According to the dissent, this vulnerability is not limited to the relationship with the employer itself, but also exists regarding external bodies that determine a worker’s eligibility to perform the job."
May 7, 2026 from Yeshiva World:
"El Al inaugurated a state-of-the-art kosher meal production facility Wednesday at Ben-Gurion International Airport, marking a major expansion of the carrier’s in-flight dining capabilities.
"The 14,000-square-meter complex—nearly double the capacity of the facility it replaces—can produce approximately 50,000 meals daily, substantially increasing the airline’s ability to serve its growing passenger base. The expansion allows El Al to broaden its culinary menu offerings while maintaining strict kosher certification standards.
"With most major international carriers suspending service to Tel Aviv due to ongoing regional instability stemming from the war with Iran, El Al and a handful of other Israeli operators have assumed responsibility for the vast majority of flights connecting Israel to the international network."
May 7, 2026 from the CPSC :
Analemma Water Bottles have been recalled because the recalled water bottle’s inner glass liner can break, posing a risk of serious injury or death from laceration and ingestion hazards.
This recall involves all Analemma-branded water bottles. The stainless-steel water bottles were sold in black or white and have a glass inner liner and a screw-on top. The Analemma logo, “24 oz” and “Analemma The Architect of Life” are printed on the front of the water bottles.
Consumer Contact: New Earth Technologies toll-free at 844-841-2711, email at info@analemma-water.com, or online at www.analemma-water.com/pages/recall or www.analemma-water.com and click on “Support” and then click on the “Recall Information” button for more information.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled water bottles and contact New Earth Technologies d.o.o. for a full refund or a free repair, including shipping. The repair consists of a stainless-steel mesh insert and instructions on how to insert it into the water bottle.
Sold Online At: Analemma-water.com from November 2025 through February 2026 for about $250.
May 7, 2026 from the CPSC :
Dovety Steam Cleaners, Model TMSC-001" CPSC is warning consumers to stop using Dovety Steam Cleaners immediately because the steam cleaners can leak or suddenly eject hot water or steam, posing a risk of serious burn injuries to consumers.
Consumer Action: CPSC urges consumers to stop using the steam cleaners immediately and dispose of them. Do not sell or give away these hazardous steam cleaners.
The Chinese seller, Shenzhen Kaisennic Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd., has not agreed to a recall of these steam cleaners.
Incidents/Injuries: CPSC is aware of 52 reports of hot water spitting, spewing, spraying, spilling out, leaking or otherwise exiting the steamers, resulting in at least 48 reported burn injuries.
Sold Online At: Amazon.com and TikTok
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