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.
October 26, 2022 from The Washington Post:
"With Thanksgiving fast approaching, turkey farmers from California to Pennsylvania are watching in horror as a virulent new strain of avian influenza wipes out their flocks, killing birds practically overnight and forcing hundreds of thousands more to be euthanized to prevent further infection.
"The rampant spread of the virus has already eliminated more than 6 million turkeys nationwide, about 14 percent of the nation’s total turkey production, according to the U.S. Agriculture Department. It is leaving farmers short of their usual offerings and pushing up prices for those that remain, forcing consumers already walloped by inflation to pay an additional 20 percent or more per pound for Thanksgiving turkeys compared with prices last year, according to several estimates."
October 25, 2022 from the CPSC
Pine-Sol® Scented Multi-Surface Cleaners in Lavender Clean®, Sparkling Wave®, and Lemon Fresh scents, CloroxPro® Pine-Sol® All Purpose Cleaners, in Lavender Clean®, Sparkling Wave®, Lemon Fresh, and Orange Energy® scents, and Clorox® Professional™ Pine-Sol® Lemon Fresh Cleaners. Original Pine-Sol® (Pine scent) is not included in this recall.
The recalled products may contain bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 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.
Remedy: Refund
To date, testing has identified bacteria in certain recalled products, including those produced between January 2021 and September 2022. Clorox produced approximately 37 million recalled products in that period.
Consumer Contact: Pine-Sol toll-free at (855) 378-4982, by email at PineSolRecalls@inmar.com, or online at pinesolrecall.com and Pinesol.com by clicking on “Recall Information.”
Description: This recall involves Pine-Sol Scented Multi-Surface Cleaners in Lavender Clean, Sparkling Wave, and Lemon Fresh scents, CloroxPro Pine-Sol All Purpose Cleaners, in Lavender Clean, Sparkling Wave, Lemon Fresh, and Orange Energy scents, and Clorox Professional Pine-Sol Lemon Fresh Cleaners, with date codes beginning with the prefix “A4” and followed by a five-digit number less than 22249. The products are sold in bottles of 28, 48, 60, 100, 144, and 175 fluid ounces. In an abundance of caution, Clorox is recalling all of the above-described products manufactured at its Forest Park, Georgia facility through September 2022.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using Pine-Sol Scented Multi-Surface Cleaners in Lavender Clean, Sparkling Wave, and Lemon Fresh scents, CloroxPro Pine-Sol All Purpose Cleaners, in Lavender Clean, Sparkling Wave, Lemon Fresh, and Orange Energy scents, and Clorox Professional Pine-Sol Lemon Fresh Cleaners that have date codes printed on the bottle beginning with “A4” and followed by a five-digit number less than 22249, which represents products produced prior to September 2022. Consumers should take pictures of the 12 digit UPC code and the date code, dispose of the product in its container with household trash, and contact Pine-Sol for a full refund of the purchase price, with receipt, or of the manufacturer’s suggested retail price, without receipt.
Sold At: Online at Amazon.com and additional retailer websites and at Walmart, Sam’s Club, Dollar General, Target, Home Depot, BJ’s, Kroger, Dollar Tree, Lowe’s, Publix, and other major retailers nationwide, for between $2.50 and $12.50.
October 21, 2022 - from JTA
"European Union officials in Brussels invited Jewish and Muslim community leaders to discuss meat production, in what some of the guests characterized as progress toward ensuring religious freedom.
"The event, which was convened by the EU’s point person for fighting antisemitism, Katharina von Schnurbein, included Jews and Muslims concerned about a two-pronged attack on their traditional methods for slaughtering animals for food that has resulted in bans in some countries. About 30 EU officials and about 20 community leaders were present, according to people who were there.
"Animal rights activists say shechitah and zabiha, the Muslim method for slaughtering animals for food, are cruel because both methods preclude stunning before the animal’s necks are cut. Advocates of the customs say they result in no greater suffering to animals than mechanized slaughter methods with higher malfunction rates and less attention to individual animals.
"n recent years, opposition to shechitah and zabiha has widened as right-wing parties began adopting this stance as part of their commitment to reducing the presence in society of Islam, and in some cases also Judaism.
"When Jewish community leaders challenged recent bans in two of Belgium’s three states at the Court of the European Union, the court dealt them a major defeat when it upheld the bans in a 2021 ruling that Israel’s ambassador to Belgium called “catastrophic and a blow to Jewish life in Europe.”
"The ruling added Belgium to a number of EU countries where ritual slaughter is illegal, including Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Estonia and Slovenia. In 2011, the Netherlands briefly joined the list, but the Dutch Senate reversed the ban in 2012, citing freedom of worship. Poland also outlawed ritual slaughter in 2013 but has since scaled back the ban to include only meat for export.
"The office of von Schnurbein, who in 2015 became the first European Commission coordinator on combatting antisemitism, had stayed out of the debate on shechitah for most of her tenure. But she has become increasingly outspoken on the issue since the bans in Belgium, which were initiated by a right-wing party and advanced by a socialist party. In January, she said during an EU meeting that the bans risk painting Jews and Muslim minorities as 'medieval.'
"Shimon Cohen, the director of the British-Jewish advocacy group Shechitah UK, also referenced the connection between antisemitism and bans on religious slaughter during his speech at the event Thursday. Cohen noted that the first ban on shechitah in Europe occurred in Switzerland in the 19th century to make the country less hospitable to Jews fleeing pogroms in Russia.
"The Nazis, too, enacted a ban on kosher slaughter early on, Deborah Lipstadt, the U.S. special envoy charged with monitoring antisemitism abroad, said in her speech at the conference. She said the United States recognizes the importance of allowing ritual slaughter and urged European lawmakers to include exemptions for religious groups in any legislation about meat production.
"In his comments at the conference, Cohen argued that existing laws about religious freedom are not enough to ensure that shechitah remains legal.
"'Freedom of religion was designed for people who believe stuff, not for people who do stuff,' Cohen said. 'And shechitah is a positive practical action as part of our faith. So too, would kneeling be for Christians, and the idea of banning kneeling would be impossible. I would hope that this meeting can be the first step towards ensuring there should be no provision allowed within European Union law to ban shechitah.'"
October 13, 2022 from the CPSC
U-Line Outdoor Series 24-inch Built-In Convertible Freezers have been recalled because the outdoor freezers can overheat, posing a fire hazard.
Consumer Contact: U-Line toll-free at 833-614-7788 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, at www.U-Line.com/safetyrecall or at www.u-line.com and click on “Product Recall Information” under “Support” at the bottom of the page for more information.
This recall involves U-Line Outdoor Series 24-inch Built-In Convertible Freezers with model number U-1224FZRSOD-00A and manufactured between 2017-2018. They have serial number ranges between 1745627020001-1745627020009; 1746096040001-1746096040077; 1850469050001-1850469050003; and 1850469059001-1850469059003. The model number, serial number, and “U-Line” brand name are printed on a plate located in the top right interior of the unit.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately turn off and unplug the recalled outdoor freezers and contact U-Line to schedule a free pickup of the recalled freezers and installation of a free replacement unit. Replacement options include a freezer, refrigerator drawers or refrigerator.
U-Line has received three reports of freezer fires. No injuries have been reported.
Sold At: Independent distributors including Tri State Distributors, Milestone Distributors, Purcell-Murray Company and Almo Distributing NY, who sold them to retailers nationwide from April 2017 through February 2020 for about $2,600.
October 13, 2022 from the CPSC
Magic Chef Air Fryers have been recalled because the air fryer can overheat, posing fire and burn hazards.
Consumer Contact: Newair toll-free at 833-715-1021 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. PT Monday through Friday https://www.newair.com/pages/newair-magic-chef-digital-air-fryer-recall or https://www.newair.com/pages/recall-registration for online registration.
This recall involves the Magic Chef Air Fryer Digital Air Fryer oven with model numbers MCAF56DB (black) and MCAF56DW (white). Magic Chef is printed on the top of the fryers and the rating label on the bottom has the brand name Magic Chef along with the model number. The air fryers measure about 13 inches by 15 inches by 14 inches.
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled air fryers and provide a picture of the rating label to the firm to receive instructions to disable the air fryer and receive a refund in the form of a newair.com credit. The credit amount will be $50 or the amount on the purchase receipt if higher. No receipt is needed to get the $50 credit. Consumers can also register to participate in the recall at https://www.newair.com/pages/recall-registration.
Sold At: Online at Newair.com, Walmart.com, Wayfair.com, Amazon.com, and Target.com from July 2018 through September 2020 for between $115 to $138.
September 22, 2022 from the CPSC
Ceramic Mugs with Cork Bottoms have been recalled because the coffee cup can crack or break when hot liquid is poured into it, posing a burn hazard.
Consumer Contact: Accompany USA collect at 909-595-0178 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, email at rain@accompanyusa.com or online at http://accompanyusa.com/About.aspx?ClassID=27 or at www.accompanyusa.com and click on “Recalls” at the bottom of the page for more information.
This recall involves Accompany USA Ceramic Mugs with Cork Bottoms sold as and/or given out for free as promotional products with company or other logos. The ceramic mugs are white with cork bottoms. They measure about four inches high and four inches wide.
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled ceramic mugs and contact Accompany USA to receive a full refund.
Sold At: Online at www.accompanyusa.com, https://logomark.com, www.vision1usa.com, https://nccustom.com/brand/lanco, https://infinityiwc.square.site, and https://admartproducts.com from February 2022 through August 2022 for about $2.
September 17, 2022 - from the FDA:
Salon Technologies International. Inc. is voluntarily recalling one lot of Antica Ocean Citron Hand Sanitizer (alcohol) Gel 65%, Lot 1166A. Expiration 6/18/2023 to the consumer level. Firm lab testing has found the product to contain benzene.
512 bottles of Antica Ocean Citron Hand Sanitizer (alcohol) Gel 65%, Lot 1166A, Expiration 6/18/2023 was distributed in the Seattle, Washington area.
Salon Technologies International. Inc. has notified its distributors by email and is arranging for return of all recalled products. Consumers that have product which is being recalled should stop using and return unused product to where it was obtained.
Consumers with questions regarding this recall can contact Salon Technologies International. Inc. by phone number ( 407-248-2948 ) or e-mail address salontechnologiesint@gmail.com , Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm , EST.
September 20, 2022 - from FoodDive.com:
September 6, 2022 - from Bloomberg:
"Ben & Jerry’s is renewing its effort to unwind a contentious decision by parent company Unilever Plc to sell the ice-cream business in Israel.
"The Vermont-based ice-cream maker will confirm as early as Tuesday that it plans to file a revised complaint in New York federal court in the coming weeks, said two people familiar with the matter. Ben & Jerry’s independent board wants to stop Unilever’s sale of its brand and trademark to local licensee Avi Zinger as the deal allows the ice cream to be sold in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
"The board, which first sued its corporate parent in early July, argues that the sale conflicts with Ben & Jerry’s long-held “core values” and breaches a legal agreement made when Unilever bought the brand in 2000."
August 3, 2022 - from the Wall Street Journal
"A US judge on Monday rejected Ben & Jerry’s attempt to stop its parent Unilever Plc from allowing its ice cream to be sold in the West Bank, which Ben & Jerry’s said undermined its values.
"US District Judge Andrew Carter in Manhattan said Ben & Jerry’s did not deserve an injunction to halt ice cream sales and marketing because it did not show it would suffer irreparable harm, or that customers would be confused.
"Ben & Jerry’s sued Unilever on July 5, saying the sale of its Israeli business to local licensee Avi Zinger violated the agreement under which Unilever bought the Burlington, Vermont-based company in 2000.
"The sale came nearly a year after Ben & Jerry’s decided to end sales in the West Bank, saying it was “inconsistent” with the values and social mission it retained the right to promote.
"Unilever countered that Ben & Jerry’s had no power to stop the sale of the Israeli business, and the sale could not be undone because it had closed in late June.
"The unusual dispute has shone a spotlight on Unilever‘s goal of giving its more than 400 brands social missions and purpose.
"Carter rejected as “too speculative” the idea that customers would be confused if Zinger offered new products conveying a message that might conflict with Ben & Jerry’s own.
"The judge noted that products sold in the West Bank would use Hebrew and Arabic trademarks, not English language trademarks."
August 3, 2022 - from the Wall Street Journal
"Ben & Jerry’s ratcheted up its war of words with Unilever PLC, UL 0.52%▲ saying it had sued its parent company because it feared that left unchecked, the consumer-goods giant would undermine the ice-cream brand’s reputation and business.
"Ben & Jerry’s filed a complaint with the U.S. District Court in Manhattan in July, seeking to block Unilever’s sale of the ice-cream maker’s Israeli business to a licensee. Unilever’s move followed a rift over Ben & Jerry’s decision last year to end sales of its products in Jewish settlements in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and contested East Jerusalem.
"On Wednesday, Ben & Jerry’s said its grievance with Unilever was about more than just the Israel issue, in a statement explaining its rationale for the lawsuit.
"Ben & Jerry’s said in its statement that Unilever had frozen the board’s compensation as a “pressure tactic” before a recent mediation between the two sides. Those talks ended unsuccessfully last week. A hearing on Ben & Jerry’s request for a temporary injunction to block Unilever’s sale of the brand’s Israel business is scheduled for Monday."
June 30, 2022 - from the Wall Street Journal
"Ben & Jerry’s is suing parent company Unilever to block the sale of its Israeli business to a licensee, the latest twist in a rift over the ice cream maker’s decision to end sales in Israeli-occupied West Bank and contested East Jerusalem.
"In a complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Manhattan on Tuesday, Ben & Jerry’s said Unilever’s decision to sell the business in Israel last week was done without the approval of Ben & Jerry’s independent board of directors.
"The board held a special meeting on Friday in response to Unilever’s decision and voted 5-2 to file a lawsuit against its parent company, according to the complaint. Two Unilever appointees on the board were the dissenting votes, the lawsuit said."
June 29, 2022 - from Times of Israel
"The Foreign and Economy ministries issue a joint statement welcoming an agreement reached between Ben & Jerry’s Israel and its parent company Unilever under which the former will be able to sell its ice cream in the West Bank.
"The agreement is the result of a settlement reached in a federal US lawsuit filed on behalf of Ben & Jerry’s Israel owner Avi Zinger by the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law.
"As a result of the deal, Unilever has sold all of its business interests in Israel to Zinger, who will now be allowed to sell the ice cream on both sides of the Green Line, though no longer under the auspices of Unilever and the original Ben & Jerry’s, which made the decision to boycott.
"The Israeli branch will also sell its ice cream using Hebrew and Arabic labeling, as it no longer will be allowed to use Ben & Jerry’s original English branding."
September 20, 2022 - from Matzav.com:
"After concerns were raised regarding the ability to bring daled minim into Canada for Sukkos this year, the CJHQ has announced that whatever issues there were have been resolved and that Yidden will be able to obtain daled minim without any issues."
September 19, 2022 - from the i24:
"Israel’s largest chocolate manufacturer, Strauss Group, announced on Monday that its plant in northern Israel resumed operations five months after traces of salmonella were found there, triggering the largest-ever recall in the country’s history, Ynet reports.
"The company said that its plant in Nof HaGalil is already back manufacturing its Parra chocolate bars and Mekupelet candy bar, and will gradually reintroduce more products of its Elite chocolate brand under the supervision of the Health Ministry."
August 28, 2022 - from the i24:
"Israel’s Health Ministry announced on Sunday that the Strauss Group Elite factory was authorized to gradually resume its activities after a salmonella outbreak.
The decision was made after a health and technological audit had been carried out. The ministry said audits would continue until the factory is cleared to fully resume operations."
August 19, 2022 - from the Food Safety News:
"Strauss Group’s profit has been heavily dented by a chocolate recall because of Salmonella and the related closure of a production plant in Israel.
"The company showed growth in some areas but this was offset by a decline in sales in the confectionery division and the Sabra hummus business, both of which operated on a partial scale in the half-year. The firm also reported a decline in operating profit.
"The company is preparing to gradually resume operations at the confectionery production site in Nof Hagalil, Israel. It has performed cleaning and invested in infrastructure to ensure improved quality and food safety standards.
"Permission for a restart is still pending from the Israeli Ministry of Health. The agency suspended the plant’s approval for three months after an inspection in April. Investigators were trying to clarify whether 21 patients of various ages were linked to the contamination.
"From 300 samples, about 30 positives were found. Salmonella was detected on a production line and in the liquid chocolate used to make finished products."
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