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.
September 10, 2026 from the CPSC in conjunction with Government of Canada:
AGA Elise and Mercury Series Freestanding Dual Fuel Ranges and La Cornue CornuFé 90 and CornuFé 110 Series Freestanding Dual Fuel Ranges
Hazard: Dual Fuel Ranges with a missing cap from the gas test port can cause a gas leak, posing a risk of serious injury or death from fire or explosion hazards.
Consumer Contact: AGA Rangemaster recall line toll-free at 888-257-7912 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, online at www.agarangeusa/testcap-recall or www.lacornueusa/testcap-recall and click on “Recall Information” at the bottom of the page for more information.
Description: This recall involves freestanding AGA Elise and Mercury Series Dual Fuel Ranges, in 36- and 48-inch widths and freestanding La Cornue CornuFé Series Dual Fuel Ranges in 36- and 43-inch widths manufactured between March 19, 2025 and July 24, 2026. All units have gas surface burners, set for Natural or LP gas, with one to three electric ovens depending on size. The products are sold in stainless steel, white and 13 other colors, which can be found at www.agarangeusa.com and www.lacornueusa.com. All colors, trim options and gas types (Natural or LP) are included. The serial number is on the rating plate, which is located on the bottom panel of the unit under the storage drawer.
| Model | Production Date Range |
| AEL361DF | 3/19/25 to 7/24/26 |
| AEL481DF | 3/19/25 to 7/24/26 |
| AMC36DF | 3/19/25 to 7/24/26 |
| AMC48DF | 3/19/25 to 7/24/26 |
| LAC9 | 3/19/25 to 7/24/26 |
| LAC1 | 3/19/25 to 7/24/26 |
Remedy: Consumers should shut off the gas supply to avoid the risk of gas leak immediately and contact AGA Rangemaster. Consumers should promptly determine if their range is subject to recall by locating the model/serial number on the rating plate (on the bottom panel under the storage drawer) and visiting the Recall webpage at www.lacornueusa.com/testcap-recall or www.agarangeusa.com/testcap-recall. If subject to the recall, consumers should contact AGA Rangemaster for a free inspection and repair by a certified technician. Consumers can continue to use only the electric oven sections of the range. The gas surface burners cannot be used.
Sold At: Authorized appliance dealers nationwide from March 2025 through July 2026 for about $6,000 to $20,000.
September 8, 2026 from YNet
"New rules will require iodine in household table salt within about two years after surveys found widespread deficiency among children and pregnant women; coarse and specialty salts will be excluded, and officials say regulated salt prices will not rise.
"Israel plans to require iodine to be added to household table salt in an effort to address widespread iodine deficiency. The requirement will take effect once binding Health Ministry regulations are introduced, which is expected within about two years. It will apply only to ordinary table salt for household use, while coarse salt and specialty varieties will be excluded.
"Table salt accounts for roughly 85% to 90% of household salt purchases in Israel, despite the availability of varieties including Himalayan and Maldon salt.
"According to the Health Ministry, salt will be fortified with 25 to 45 milligrams of iodine per kg. “This amount is expected to add about 0.045 milligrams of iodine to daily intake, representing 30% of the NRV,” the ministry said, referring to the nutrient reference value used on food labels.
"Officials described the planned dosage as conservative and said it could be adjusted as the population is monitored. The regulations were developed following consultations with experts and a review of international data, according to the ministry.
"Iodized salt is already sold in Israel, though it generally costs more than ordinary salt. A 250-gram plastic container of iodized salt sold by Salt of the Earth costs between 5.90 and 10.90 shekels, while a container of the same size with non-iodized salt sells for between 5.90 and 8.90 shekels.
"Iodized salt is already sold in Israel, though it generally costs more than ordinary salt. A 250-gram plastic container of iodized salt sold by Salt of the Earth costs between 5.90 and 10.90 shekels, while a container of the same size with non-iodized salt sells for between 5.90 and 8.90 shekels."
September 9, 2026 from Israel National News
"Police say new evidence reveals how the supermarket products were allegedly tampered with - but one major question remains unanswered.
"Police have footage documenting the acts, but Shamla's motive remains unclear.
"A prosecutor's statement is expected to be filed Wednesday at the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court, with an indictment expected in the coming days.
"Shamala, a resident of southern Israel in his 40s, was named last week as the suspect accused of introducing dangerous substances into Prinok-brand fruit purées intended for babies.
"During a hearing on extending Shamala's detention, a police representative said that Shamala deliberately introduced the sedatives into the fruit purées in order to poison babies. Police attribute to him offenses including the use of poison while endangering human life and negligent handling of medications.
'His attorney told the court that the suspect suffers from bipolar disorder. As a result, the suspect was referred for a psychiatric evaluation, which determined that he is fit to remain in detention."
"
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."
September 3, 2026 from the CPSC :
Scented Mistolin® Dilutable Cleaners and Lestoil® Heavy Duty Multi-Purpose Cleaners sold in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Hazard: The recalled products may contain bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which is an environmental organism found widely in soil and water. People with weakened immune systems or external medical devices who are exposed to Pseudomonas aeruginosa face a risk of serious infection that may require medical treatment. The bacteria can enter the body if inhaled, through the eyes, or through a break in the skin. People with healthy immune systems are usually not affected by the bacteria.
Consumer Contact: Clorox Puerto Rico toll-free at 855-215-5439 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET, email at Mistolinrecall@sedgwick.com or online at www.mistolinrecall.com or https://puerto-rico.mistolin.co/ and click on “Recall Information” at the bottom of the page for more information.
Description: This recall only includes Mistolin and Lestoil products sold in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The recall involves scented Mistolin Dilutable Cleaners in Alegra tu Día, Espíritu Play, Flores de Primavera, Fresco Despertar, Frescura de Lavanda, Frescura Tropical, Manzana y Canela, Pino y Especias and Sólo para Ti scents and scented Lestoil Heavy Duty Multi-Purpose Cleaners in Energía del Yunque, Fuerza de Lavanda Tropical, Intenso Limon Boricua and Olas de Rincón scents, with date codes beginning with the prefix “PR01” and followed by a five-digit number between 25091 and 26168, which represents products produced between April 1, 2025 to June 17, 2026. Only products with scents are included in this recall. The products were sold in bottles of 28, 40, 64 and 128 fluid ounces.
Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled cleaners immediately. Consumers will be asked to register at https://mistolinrecall.expertinquiry.com/ and submit a picture of the 12-digit UPC code printed on the label and a picture of the date code printed on the side of the bottle and dispose of the product in its container with household trash. Consumers registering bottles in the affected scents with date codes printed on the bottle beginning with PR01 and followed by a five-digit number between 25091 and 26168 will receive a full refund of the purchase price, with receipt or of the manufacturer’s suggested retail price, without receipt.
Sold At: Walmart, Sam’s Club, Costco, Supermercados Econo, Supermercados Selecto, and other major retailers in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands for between $1.40 and $8.
September 3, 2026 from JNS
"France’s foreign minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, on Wednesday said his country would push for fresh sanctions on Israel in connection with Judea and Samaria, including an E.U.-wide ban on products made or marketed by Israelis there.
"The remarks, which Barrot made during the E.U.’s informal meeting of foreign ministers in Ireland, drew condemnation from a leader of French Jewry and praise from a Palestinian Authority Cabinet minister.
"Barrot likened action against the sale of Israeli products from Judea and Samaria to sanctions against importing goods from Russian-held parts of Ukraine.
"The two largest E.U. economies, France and Germany, are split on attempts to boycott Israeli products from Judea and Samaria. France wishes to broaden the ban introduced this year by Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium and Ireland. Germany, however, is opposed to a ban, while still condemning Israeli expansion of its communities in Judea and Samaria, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said in July.
"Additional E.U. countries with close ties to Israel, such as Greece, Italy, Finland, Lithuania and Slovenia, may also oppose a proposed ban."
August 25, 2026: from the OU
"In July, a massive fire tore through the Agri Star Meat & Poultry plant in Postville, Iowa, one of the largest kosher meat-processing facilities in the U.S. The blaze destroyed approximately 75% of the plant and raised immediate concerns about the supply of kosher meat and poultry less than two months before Rosh Hashanah.
"The U.S. is already facing historically tight cattle supplies, which have put pressure on the beef supply and driven prices very high. On top of that, kosher meat production presents its own challenges because it is difficult to find slaughterhouses that are prepared to accommodate kosher slaughter. Against that backdrop, the potential loss of a major facility could have very serious ramifications.
"The plant resumed the shechita of poultry last week, and beef this week.
"With Rosh Hashanah approaching, what impact do you expect the fire to have on the availability and price of kosher meat and poultry in the coming weeks?
"There won’t be a shortage as a result of the fire, since Agri Star has already begun returning to production. Unfortunately, prices tend to rise at this time of year regardless; that has nothing to do with the fire.
"Consumers need to pay close attention to what they are buying. If you are buying meat at a grocery store and it is no longer in its original packaging from the slaughterhouse, for example, make sure you know who is certifying the repackaging and that it was done under reliable kosher supervision. You want to know that the meat has been properly supervised from the point of slaughter to the point of purchase."
July 30, 2026: from the cbs2iowa
"The community of Postville is beginning the long recovery process after a massive fire destroyed much of the Agri Star Meat & Poultry processing plant Tuesday.
"Agri Star said it is still evaluating its short-term plans and will provide verified updates as more information becomes available.
"The fire could also have impacts beyond northeast Iowa.
"According to OU Kosher, the organization that certifies the plant's kosher operations, the facility processes a significant share of the kosher beef and chicken sold in the United States. The loss of production could tighten an already limited summer supply ahead of the Jewish High Holidays, including Rosh Hashanah in September.
"As we monitor the situation in Postville, the safety of the employees and firefighters is our first concern,' said Rabbi Moshe Elefant, CEO of OU Kosher. 'The damaged facility means a significant portion of kosher beef and chicken slaughtered and sold in the U.S. will not enter the kosher supply chain.'
"The organization says it is working with Agri Star and other suppliers to increase production at other facilities to help reduce potential shortages."
July 28, 2026: from the VinNews
"A major fire broke out early Tuesday at the Agri Star Meat & Poultry plant, one of the world’s largest kosher meatpacking facilities, sending thick plumes of smoke into the sky and prompting a multi-agency response across northeast Iowa.
"The blaze was reported shortly after 4 a.m. at the sprawling processing plant on North West Street. Multiple fire departments from the region responded as heavy smoke billowed from the facility, visible for miles and drifting into neighboring Fayette County.
"Agri Star confirmed the fire in a Facebook post around 9 a.m., stating that emergency crews had been on scene since early morning and were actively working to contain the flames.
"Officials indicated disruptions to distribution are expected.
"Agri Star is Allamakee County’s largest employer and a major supplier of kosher beef and poultry. The plant, formerly known as Agriprocessors, was founded by the Rubashkin family and acquired in 2009 by interests associated with Canadian businessman Hershey Friedman. It has faced previous incidents, including a smaller boiler-room fire in May and an explosion in 2021 that injured two workers."
July 29, 2026: from the OU on "x"
August 22, 2026 from Euronext Finance:
"A federal judge on Friday dismissed major portions of a Ben & Jerry's lawsuit accusing its former parent Unilever of trying to silence the ice cream maker's social activism, dismantle its board and stop funding its namesake foundation.
"U.S. District Judge Kevin Castel in Manhattan dismissed seven claims and part of an eighth in a 10-count complaint by Vermont-based Ben & Jerry's, whose flavors include Cherry Garcia, Half Baked and Phish Food, and by various independent directors.
"Castel also said Magnum, the Amsterdam-based company that has owned Ben & Jerry's since it was spun off from Unilever last year, will take Unilever's place as the primary defendant.
"The dismissed claims relate primarily to how Ben and Jerry's operates, while the two claims that survived in full relate to missed payments by Unilever.
"Unilever's 2000 purchase of Ben & Jerry's had preserved substantial and uncommon freedoms for the ice cream company, relative to most acquisitions.
"These included an independent board, and the ability to continue pursuing a social mission and charitable work dating from its 1978 founding by Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield.
"The relationship began unraveling in 2021, however, when Ben & Jerry's decided to stop selling ice cream in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
"Ben & Jerry's accused Unilever of violating the 2000 merger agreement by censoring its speech, which has included protests against the war in Gaza, and ousting a chief executive who supported the company's social activism. The alleged censorship also included an effort to suppress planned criticism of U.S. President Donald Trump as he began his second White House term.
"In addition, it accused Unilever of violating a 2022 settlement over the sale of Ben & Jerry's trademark rights in Israel, by failing to pay $2.5 million to Ben & Jerry's and $2 million to support Palestinian almond farmers.
"Castel said the merger agreement's "plain meaning" did not afford Ben & Jerry's Class I directors and the Ben & Jerry's Foundation a right to sue on behalf of the company, including on the appointment and removal of directors.
"The judge said the directors could challenge new board eligibility requirements. He also said directors could sue over the missed payments on their own behalf, not on Ben & Jerry's behalf.
"Unilever and Magnum agreed that claims over the missed payments could proceed for now, court papers show."
August 26, 2026 from Israel National News:
"Instead of prepared meals for reheating, soldiers will receive fresh, varied Mehadrin kosher food that meets stringent halachic standards.
"A series of new measures being led by the IDF Chief of Staff’s adviser on Haredi affairs is intended to improve service conditions and adapt the military support framework for soldiers from the Haredi community.
"As part of the program, the Logistics Corps and the General Staff Supply Center in the Technology and Logistics Directorate have formulated an updated approach to providing meals for Haredi soldiers in the military.
"The first stage will include the gradual discontinuation of meals distributed in sealed, prepackaged trays - the method used until now for soldiers who require Mehadrin kosher food. Instead of the trays, daily food services at bases will be expanded to allow fresh and varied Mehadrin kosher food to be served as part of the regular supply system, while ensuring respect for the soldiers’ way of life.
"The program is being implemented in cooperation with the “Mehadrin and Special Populations Section," a new body established within the Military Rabbinate’s Kashrut Branch as part of a broader initiative to improve services for soldiers who require Mehadrin kosher food, those with medical dietary sensitivities, and all service members.
The section is responsible for establishing policy and halachic supervision in the areas of procuremp>"ent, infrastructure, and field operations, as well as formulating dedicated procedures for kitchens on military bases designed to ensure that food meets halachic standards without compromise.
"The initiative is the product of joint staff work by the Chief of Staff’s adviser on Haredi affairs, the Military Rabbinate, and the Technology and Logistics Directorate. The process included an examination of the current situation, identifying gaps based on reports from soldiers and commanders in the field, and developing a logistical solution that enables Mehadrin kosher food to be incorporated into the general food-service system."
August 20, 2026 from the CPSC :
Name of Product: 4 in 1 Plug in Natural Gas and Carbon Monoxide Detectors Model KH158. The detectors were sold under the following brand names: ARIKON, ELECOIN, FLUNGSKY, HAOKESITE, Hembisen, JNHCD, KAKIMENT, KH Alert, KOABBIT, NICGOL, NORJAN, OUMEBIU, Sooguard, Vilfet, Vzmcov, WESHLGD, XLA Alert, YOJOCK
Hazard: Stop using 4 in 1 Plug in Natural Gas and Carbon Monoxide Detectors Model KH158 immediately because the detectors can fail to alert consumers to the presence of hazardous carbon monoxide.
Description: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is warning consumers to stop using 4 in 1 Plug in Natural Gas and Carbon Monoxide Detectors Model KH158 immediately because the detectors can fail to alert consumers to the presence of hazardous carbon monoxide.
The manufacturer, Shenzhen Kanghua Shengshi Industrial Co., LTD dba KH Alert of China, has not agreed to recall these detectors.
Sold Online At: Amazon.com, eBay.com, AliExpress, microcenter.com and snapklik.com in single and multipacks from June 2024 through July 2026 for between $13 and $140.
August 20, 2026 from the CPSC :
JINHEZO Mini Waterproof LED Tea Lights have been recalled because the LED Tea Lights violate the mandatory safety standard for consumer products with button cell and coin batteries because the button batteries can be accessed easily by children, posing an ingestion hazard. Additionally, the packaging and product do not have the warnings required under Reese’s Law. When button cell or coin batteries are swallowed, the ingested batteries can cause serious injuries, internal chemical burns and death.
Consumer Contact: Mystic Zo by email at jinhemaoyi2016@sina.com for more information.
Description: This recall involves JINHEZO Mini Waterproof LED Tea Lights. The circular tea lights are clear with a white base and are about 1” in diameter and 1.14” tall. They come in a pack of 24 lights with 48 coin-cell batteries (two per light).
Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled LED Tea Lights immediately and contact Mystic Zo for a full refund. To receive a refund, consumers will be asked to email their order number or bar code number, if available, along with a photo of the tea lights disposed of in the trash to jinhemaoyi2016@sina.com.
Note: Button cell batteries are hazardous. Batteries should be disposed of or recycled by following local hazardous waste procedures.
| The information posted is from secondary sources. We cannot take responsibility for the accuracy of the information. |
| Comments to webmaster@kashrut.com
© Copyright 2026 Scharf Associates |
|
|||||||||||||