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 20, 2023 from the AgFunder News:
"On paper, cultivated meat might seem like a no-brainer. Unlike plant-based options, which still don’t quite hit the spot for many consumers, it promises the allure of ‘real’ meat without the ethical and environmental baggage that comes with plundering our oceans and raising billions of sentient land animals for food.
"In practice, however, there’s no playbook for biomanufacturing meat at scale. The funding environment has changed dramatically as investors have soured on alt proteins, and we don’t know whether consumers will pay a premium once the novelty wears off.
"The media narrative around cultivated meat, which was universally positive a few years ago, has also changed dramatically over the past year: Articles about innovations in the space now compete with headlines about cancerous cells, greenwashing, vaporware, and business failures, against a backdrop of grim quarterly results from plant-based meat brand Beyond Meat.
"So, can cultivated meat make the transition from a loss-making novelty served at a handful of high-end restaurants to a commercially viable alternative to animal agriculture?
"However, it seems somewhat premature to write off an industry that didn’t even exist a decade ago because it can’t immediately compete with a heavily subsidized industry (industrialized animal agriculture) and associated ecosystem that has been scaling up and driving efficiencies for decades
"The price of cell culture media components will come down with economies of scale, he says, but what’s going to drive that scale in this chicken-and-egg situation the industry currently finds itself in?
"With current technologies, whole-cut products such as steaks present far greater technical challenges than unstructured products such as nuggets, concurs Swartz at the GFI, noting that UPSIDE Foods is still making its whole-cut chicken filets in two-liter flasks, which COO Amy Chen concedes is not currently scalable.
"However, its process for making unstructured products—growing cell biomass in far larger 2,000-liter tanks before combining it with plant proteins to make hybrid products—holds more promise (although UPSIDE is still awaiting regulatory approval on this process).
"According to Tetrick at GOOD Meat (Eat Just): “If someone says there are uncertainties around scaling up cultivated meat to tens of millions of pounds and getting below the cost of conventional chicken, beef or pork and lamb, I agree.”
"But that doesn’t mean that cultivated meat is a foodtech fantasy, he insists: “The first cell phone that came out was this big, bulky thing. And if someone had said eventually it’ll be a phone in your pocket with 10,000 songs and access to the internet, you’d have said that can’t be because we don’t have the processing speed or the internet connectivity to do that."
November 21, 2023 from the Healthy Canadians:
Remedy: These ranges were recalled in January 2023 (see below), and consumers were offered a repair. ZLINE is expanding the remedies available to consumers to also include a replacement range or a refund. All consumers who have an affected range should immediately stop using the oven compartment, even if they have already had their range repaired as part of the prior recall. Consumers who have received a repair are being contacted directly by ZLINE with additional information and about the offer of an inspection, a replacement range or a refund. Consumers who have not yet scheduled a repair as part of the recall should contact ZLINE for information regarding available remedies. Consumers may continue to use the range tops which are unaffected by the issue.
Consumer Contact: ZLINE toll-free at 833-226-1400 from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, email at rgrecall@zlinekitchen.com or online at www.zlinekitchen.com/recalls or www.zlinekitchen.com and click on the banner at the top of the page for more information.
January 26, 2023 from the Healthy Canadians:
This recall involves the oven compartment of ZLINE gas ranges with model numbers RG30, RG36, and RG48. The ranges were sold in various door colours including black matte, blue gloss, blue matte, DuraSnow, red gloss, red matte and white matte and multiple finishes including stainless steel, black stainless steel and DuraSnow, a cloudy steel finish. The recalled ranges were sold in three sizes, 30 inches, 36 inches, and 48 inches.
The ZLINE logo is printed on the bottom of the door. The model number is printed on a label on the back of the range. For ranges purchased after 2020, the model number is also printed on a label underneath the right side of the range top, visible when the oven door is open. Only ZLINE gas ranges with these model numbers are included in this recall.
The oven of the gas ranges can emit dangerous levels of carbon monoxide (CO) while in use, posing a serious risk of injury or death from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Consumers should immediately stop using the oven compartment of the recalled ranges until the oven compartment has been repaired. Consumers may continue to use the range tops which are unaffected by the issue.
To schedule your free repair, consumers can contact ZLINE by telephone at 1-888-359-4482, by email at ZLINEKitchen@realtimeresults.net or visit the company website.
January 26, 2023 from the CPSC:
ZLINE 30-inch and 36-inch RG gas ranges have been recalled because the oven of the gas ranges can emit dangerous levels of carbon monoxide (CO) while in use, posing a serious risk of injury or death from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Consumer Contact: ZLINE toll-free at 888-359-4482 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, email ZLINEKitchen@realtimeresults.net or online at www.zlinekitchen.com/recalls or www.zlinekitchen.com and click on Recalls for more information.
This recall expansion involves the oven compartment of ZLINE gas ranges to include those with model numbers RG48, RGS-48, and RGB-48. ZLINE previously recalled gas ranges with model numbers RG30, RGS-30, RGB-30, RG36, RGS-36 and RGB-36. The ranges were sold in various door colors including black matte, blue gloss, blue matte, DuraSnow, red gloss, red matte and white matte and multiple finishes including stainless steel, black stainless steel and DuraSnow, a cloudy steel finish. The recalled ranges were sold in three sizes, 30 inches, 36 inches and 48 inches. The ZLINE logo is printed on the bottom of the door. The model number is printed on a label on the back of the range. For ranges purchased after 2020, the model number is also printed on a label underneath the right side of the range top, visible when the oven door is open. Only ZLINE gas ranges with these model numbers are included in this recall.
Consumers should immediately stop using the oven compartment of the recalled ranges until a free repair is available. Consumers may continue to use the range tops which are unaffected by the issue. Contact ZLINE, who is working to develop repairs for all affected units.
Consumers should review Consumers should immediately stop using the oven compartment of the recalled ranges until a free repair is available. Consumers may continue to use the range tops which are unaffected by the issue. Contact ZLINE, who is working to develop repairs for all affected units.
November 15, 2023 from the Politico:
"A Florida Republican has a beef with lab-grown meat. State Rep. Tyler Sirois has proposed legislation that would make it a criminal offense to sell ”cultivated” meat in Florida, claiming that it’s an “affront to nature and creation” and the latest front in the “ESG agenda” — referring to environmental, social and corporate governance, which has been target of Gov. Ron DeSantis and Republican state leaders.
"Sirois, a developer who said he doesn’t have ties to agriculture, said he hopes Florida will become the first state to ban cultured meat.
"He also has a powerful ally supporting him: Wilton Simpson, the state’s agriculture commissioner and former Senate president, who is '100%' behind the effort.
"Sam Ard, director of governmental affairs for the Florida Cattlemen’s Association, told POLITICO his grou' hasn’t taken a position on the bill but opposes calling the lab-grown product “meat.'"
November 17, 2023 from the FoodBev Media:
"The Italian Chamber of Deputies has passed a law banning the production and marketing of cell-based meat and the use of meat-related names, such as ‘salami’ or ‘steak’, for plant-based meat products.
"Italy made the move in a bid to protect its agricultural history and traditional culinary culture. The stance was first announced in March this year, when Italy’s Agriculture Minister, Francesco Lollobrigida, said that Italy was the first nation to say no to “synthetic” food as laboratory products do not guarantee quality or wellbeing, nor protect Italy’s culture and traditions.
"In a statement, the Good Food Institute Europe (GFI) said that the bill, which introduces fines between €10,000 and €60,000 for each violation, will “cut the country off from innovation and block sustainable development”.
"The GFI warns that the move will reduce investment, push Italian researchers abroad and hinder the fight against climate change, while other European countries are investing in the sector."
November 8, 2023 from the OU:
The OU rolled out a new feature on https://oukosher.org/product-search/ which now allows users to filter the product search by Dairy Equipment and yoshon.
For example, if you check the Dairy Equipment box and search for Oreo, he will get a complete list of Oreo cookies which are only Dairy equipment, even though the package still says OU-D.
"Because manufacturers can potentially alter their formulas and re-add milk to DE items, certain foods listed as DE on the consumer product search website are marked as 'Subject to change – Please check on DE status every few months.'"
"As for products confirmed as yoshon on OU Kosher’s consumer product site but which appear unmarked, Rabbi Zywica explains that many lack certification symbols because companies prefer not to have extra writing on their products beyond the small OU symbol."
November 2, 2023 from the FDA:
Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration proposed to revoke the regulation authorizing the use of brominated vegetable oil (BVO) in food. The agency concluded that the intended use of BVO in food is no longer considered safe after the results of studiesExternal Link Disclaimer conducted in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found the potential for adverse health effects in humans.
BVO is a vegetable oil that is modified with bromine. It is authorized by the FDA for use in small amounts to keep the citrus flavoring from separating and floating to the top of some beverages. In 1970, the FDA determined BVO was no longer “Generally Recognized as Safe” (GRAS) and began overseeing its use under our food additive regulations. Over the years many beverage makers reformulated their products to replace BVO with an alternative ingredient, and today, few beverages in the U.S. contain BVO.
Although BVO has a long history of use in foods and was at one time considered GRAS, we have continued to study it to understand any potential health impacts. Recent toxicology studiesExternal Link Disclaimer conducted in collaboration with the NIH have now given us conclusive scientific evidence to support our proposal to remove the FDA’s food additive authorization for BVO.
The FDA is currently reviewing the color additive regulations authorizing the use of FD&C Red No. 3 in ingested drugs and foods (including dietary supplements) under the Delaney Clause of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, which, in relevant part, prohibits the FDA from approving a color additive that is ingested if it causes cancer in animals or humans when ingested. A decision from the FDA is forthcoming.
November 8, 2023 from the FoodSafetyNews.com:
"After a summer pause, the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) epidemic in the United States resumed last month, first as a single event, then as a cluster of cases, and it is now spreading across at least 14 states.
"The new outbreak cases first took the dead bird total to over 60 million, then the new spike went to over 61 million, and it continues to grow. It now includes a commercial table egg layer operation that counts its loses at 940,000 birds in Wright County, MN. The virus last hit a commercial egg facility in Weld County, CO, on Dec. 20, 2022.
"Commercial turkey operations have been prominent among the new outbreaks.
"Since the summer pause, HPAI was detected in 25 commercial flocks in October and at least six more already in November. Detections were reported in 19 backyard flocks in October and four more in November.
"Commercial and backyard flocks must be kept from contact with wild birds to stem the HPAI spread. State and federal officials ask that they be immediately notified whenever birds are sick or experiencing unusual deaths."
October 23, 2023 from the FoodSafetyNews.com:
"Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has returned to the Upper Midwest of the United States with a vengeance. After a break from spring through early fall, new case reports are stacking up for commercial flocks.
"The new bird flu reports include the following:
"The discovery of bird flu in a commercial flock usually results in “depopulation,” meaning the impacted birds must all be euthanized
"With the state’s first case since March 2023, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation on Oct. 20 for the new bird flu cases. Her action permits the state to track, monitor, detect, contain, dispose and disinfect the virus.
"Iowa lost 15 million birds to bird flu in 2022 through March 2023.
"Scientists say some wild birds have developed immunity to bird flu, which is seen as an encouraging sign. Since wild birds have spread flu around the globe, immunity might lessen the spread in the future.
"HPAI has infected commercial poultry, totaling more than 59 million in 47 states since 2022. In April 2022, just one person who recovered was inflected with HPAI."
November 9, 2023 - from the EuroNews:
"Criminals across the Mediterranean region are stealing olives and branches and even cutting down trees to lay their hands on the fruit that has tripled in price since 2019. Some of the trees have stood for more than a hundred years.
"A global surge in olive oil prices – which have tripled since 2019 to set records – has presented criminals across the Mediterranean with an opportunity.
"Warehouse break-ins, accounting scams and oil tampering are on the rise in the olive growing heartlands of Greece, Spain and Italy. And with growing frequency, gangs use chainsaws to hack off branches and cut down entire trees at unguarded groves.
"The crimes are compounding distress among growers already battling high production costs and the impact of climate change: warm winters, major floods, and more intense forest fires.
"fter decades of growth, the global olive oil market has been disrupted by a near two-year drought in southern Spain, a country that typically covers 40% of the world's supply.
"According to European Union estimates, the Spanish slump will help push global production down to 2.5 million metric tons in the 2022-23 crop year, from 3.4 million in the previous annual cycle.
"With global demand remaining high, international importers are often willing to offer prices above domestic rates. Year-on-year exports from Greece more than doubled in the first five months of 2023, while Turkey in August suspended exports to protect its domestic market.
"In late 2019, wholesale prices dropped below 3 euros per kilogram. By last September, they had reached 9 euros per kilo."
November 6, 2023 - from the Food Beverage Insider:
"Many Israeli food science and nutraceutical companies were unable to attend SupplySide West/Food ingredients North America 2023 due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas War. They were affected by employees being called up for military service, challenges in personnel and a focus on shortening international supply chains in preparation for future disruptions.
"There was a noticeable absence on the show floor at SupplySide West 2023. Israeli food science and nutraceutical companies, which often showcase some of the most forward-thinking innovations in their booths, were largely absent this year.
"This tiny country sits firmly on the vanguard of food industry sustainability, meat substitutes and environmentally friendly packaging, among a range of other crucial areas. Flights in and out of Israel are few and far between at the moment, however, due to the Israel-Hamas War that broke out in early October. And employees of Israeli companies are currently feeling the impact of the war both personally and professionally.
"A recurring theme among the companies contacted was that the largest current impact on their operations came from employees being called up to serve in the Israeli military.
T"he online magazine Israel 21c estimated on Oct. 30, 2023, that more than 23,000 Thai workers already went “home in fear,” while many Palestinian workers are no longer allowed to enter Israel. “Half the agricultural workforce vanished overnight, leaving crops to rot in the fields and livestock to fend for themselves,” reporter Jon Jeffay wrote.
"Without the usual labor force in place, thousands of Israeli volunteers have stepped in to help, doing everything from guarding farms to picking celery.
"The spirit of collaboration and support extends far beyond Israel’s borders, as companies have seen their colleagues step up to support them however needed.
"This groundswell makes Dana optimistic about the Israeli agriculture and food industry’s future, despite its current challenges."
November 3, 2023 - from the NYSED:
The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (NYS AGM) and the New York State Department of Education (NYSED) today reiterated their actions and outreach to support New York’s dairy industry and schools during the nationwide shortage of packaging paperboard. The supply chain disruption has created a challenge for school milk packaging across the US as well as other institutions.
SFAs are allowed to serve and claim meals during the emergency period by:
The Department also advised that juice cannot be offered in place of the milk component. SFAs must still adhere to the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program meal requirement that no more than half of the fruit or vegetable offerings may be in the form of juice.
November 3, 2023 - from the Packaging Dive:
"A gable-top carton supply chain snag has milk suppliers scrambling for alternative carton sources. If it continues, the shortage could result in suppliers dumping milk, higher consumer dairy prices and schools that struggle to meet federal nutrition requirements.
"Customers report difficulty in procuring 8-ounce, or half-pint, cartons as well as 4-ounce cartons. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service acknowledged in an Oct. 25 memo that some schools were having trouble getting their supplies of milk due to supply chain issues, highlighting that it is a packaging issue and not a milk issue.
"The problem could become more widespread and affect grocery store supplies; anecdotal reports indicate some areas already are experiencing this.
In grocery stores, you can still get the plastic bottles and different sizes.
"n recent weeks, news of the milk carton trouble initially trickled in from schools, dairies and others on the East Coast, and the International Dairy Foods Association said via a Nov. 3 email that “supply challenges are very localized.” However, the California Department of Education also issued a notice about the situation, and some national media reports already are calling this a nationwide problem.
"Some point to packaging manufacturer Pactiv Evergreen as the problem’s source, but dairy producers say they can’t get answers about exactly what’s going on or when business will return to normal. Pactiv Evergreen did not respond to requests for comment prior to publication.
| The information posted is from secondary sources. We cannot take responsibility for the accuracy of the information. |
| Comments to webmaster@kashrut.com
© Copyright 2022 Scharf Associates |
|
|||||||||||