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 28, 2026: from the VinNews
"Israel's Chief Rabbi and President of the Chief Rabbinate Council, Rabbi Kalman Meir Bar, has published a comprehensive halachic essay on the kashrut status of various types of whisky, following numerous questions and inquiries on the subject.
"In the article, published on the rabbi’s responsa website, the Chief Rabbi distinguishes between different types of whisky according to the production laws in their countries of origin:
"In addition, the essay discusses a particular leniency regarding whisky aged in second-fill barrels or later, where the previous spirit has already extracted most of the absorbed wine from the barrel.
"Alongside the issue of wine, the article warns about industrial additives that are sometimes incorporated into whisky, such as a strengthening or blending agent known as a “blender,” which may contain non-kosher ingredients. It also raises a significant concern regarding chametz she’avar alav haPesach, leavened products that remained in the possession of a Jew during Pesach, particularly in distilleries owned by Jews who do not observe the holiday’s prohibitions.
"In his concluding remarks, Rabbi Bar writes that although, strictly speaking, there are numerous halachic grounds for leniency that could permit the consumption of such whisky, 'one who fears Heaven and is scrupulous in observing God’s word should not, as a matter of course, rely on these leniencies.' He therefore calls on the public to purchase only whisky that has been certified by recognized kosher certification agencies.
"Accordingly, he states that the Chief Rabbinate of Israel will continue its strict policy of refusing to approve the import of alcoholic beverages unless they undergo thorough inspection and receive proper kosher certification."
June 22, 2026 from Yeshiva World
Two people were injured when an oven exploded at a Manhattan pizzeria Monday morning, officials said.
The explosion was reported at Saba’s Pizza at 1217 Lexington Ave. between 82nd and 83rd streets at around 9:30 a.m., according to the FDNY.
Two people were injured Monday morning after an oven exploded at Saba’s Pizza, a kosher pizza shop on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. The explosion was reported at around 9:30 a.m. at the Lexington Avenue restaurant between East 82nd and East 83rd Streets. Both victims were transported to a hospital for treatment. City inspectors said the blast caused minimal damage, and the cause remains under investigation.
June 22, 2026 from FoodDive
"Major food companies, such as Conagra and Utz, are making products with the rendered animal fat, which has seen its popularity soar under RFK Jr.’s recent dietary guideline changes.
"Beef tallow. It’s what’s for snacking
Potato chips and other food products made with the “Make America Healthy Again” approved ingredient are surging in popularity as some consumers move away from plant-based seed oils and others embrace nostalgia. Beef tallow is now entering the mainstream as major companies such as Utz and Conagra incorporate the rendered animal fat into a handful of their products.
"Sales of food products with beef tallow as an ingredient surged to $1.1 billion for the 52 weeks ended March 22, up 275% from the same period three years ago, according to data firm Spins provided to Food Dive.
"The rise of the once-niche ingredient has gotten a major boost from Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has promoted beef tallow over other cooking oils — even once deep frying a turkey in a vat of beef tallow to show how “we cook the MAHA way.”
"The ingredient was thrust into the spotlight again in January when the FDA updated the national dietary guidelines to highlight beef tallow, along with butter and olive oil, as healthy fats consumers should incorporate into the foods they eat.
"Many smaller brands with better-for-you positioning have turned to beef tallow to differentiate themselves in the healthy foods space. But as the trend continues, larger snack companies have started embracing the ingredient.
"Utz Brands, a manufacturer of potato chips, pretzels and puffs, launched a version of its Boulder Canyon Classic Sea Salt cooked in beef tallow earlier this year at select retailers. It marks the second product the Pennsylvania-based company has debuted with beef tallow, following its Grandma Utz Kettle-Style potato chips.
"CEO Howard Friedman said the salty snacks company has noticed “significant interest” in beef tallow within natural and organic channels as well as at restaurants, giving the company confidence to add the ingredient to a new product.
"Snack and frozen food company Conagra Brands used beef tallow to twice cook its Rebel Roots crispy fries, even going so far as to highlight the ingredient in big font on the front of the packaging.
"Despite messaging from Kennedy around seed oils, the effect so far on consumers seems limited. Close to 70% of consumers say they have not changed their seed oil use, according to data from Innova Market Insights provided to Food Dive, while 15% said they’ve decreased consumption. Of those replacing seed oils, just 10% say they are switching to beef tallow, while 46% switched to olive oil.
"Health advocates have expressed concern over the rise in beef tallow’s popularity. Its inclusion in the recent dietary guidelines drew a quick rebuke from the American Heart Association, which said the ingredient’s high saturated fat content increases the risk of heart disease."
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 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.
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