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.
March 7, 2024 from the Food Safety News:
"The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has launched a campaign to explain the difference between free-from and vegan labeling.
"Vegan labels are used to support a dietary choice and do not intentionally contain products of animal origin. However, vegan food could still be prepared alongside eggs, milk, fish, crustaceans, or mollusks.
"To use a free-from label, businesses must follow processes to manage the risk of cross-contamination so they do not contain any of the ingredients they claim to be free-from.
"An FSA-commissioned survey found many people didn’t know that vegan products might not be suitable for those with food hypersensitivities to allergens of animal origin and that they need to check for precautionary allergen labeling, such as “may contain” on vegan products.
"Some people are using vegan labeling as a proxy for allergen labeling. Only 55 percent of those who used vegan labeling were at least sometimes aware that vegan products may not be suitable for those with food hypersensitivities to allergens of animal origins due to cross-contamination risks."
March 21, 2024 from the CPSC :
BRS and BULin Liquid Fuel Bottles have been recalled because the portable fuel containers violate the child-resistant requirements for closures under the Children's Gasoline Burn Prevention Act (CGBPA). The closure for the products is not child resistant, posing a risk of burns and poisoning to children.
Description: This recall involves BRS and BULin portable liquid fuel bottles sold individually. The BRS bottle is orange with a black cap and was sold only in a 1000mL size. The BULin bottle is red with a red cap and was sold only in a 1000mL size. Its text is in Chinese. “BRS” or “BULin,” and the bottle’s volume, warnings, and/or directions appear in white lettering on the bottles.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled fuel bottles, place them out of reach to children, and contact Tentock for instructions on how to dispose of the product to receive a full refund.
Sold At: Amazon.com from January 2023 through December 2023 for between $10 and $13.
March 21, 2024 from the CPSC :
Metallic Mugs included in 2023 Holiday Starbucks-branded Gift Sets have been recalled because if microwaved or filled with extremely hot liquid, the mugs can overheat or break, posing burn and laceration hazards.
Consumer Contact: Nestlé USA at 800-681-1676 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or online at https://www.nestleusa.com/media/pressreleases/metallicmugrecall or https://www.athome.starbucks.com and click on “Metallic Mug Recall” at the bottom of the page for more information.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled mugs, and either return them to the place of purchase or contact Nestlé USA for a full refund. Consumers can receive a cash or gift card refund when they return the mug to the store where purchased, or a check from Nestlé USA when they visit https://www.nestleusa.com/info/contact-us-landing, scroll down to “Leave Us a Message”, click on “Complaint”, select “Recall” from the drop down menu, attach a photo of the mug or the gift set identifier code, complete the form and hit send. Proof of purchase (receipt) is not required to receive a full refund.
Description: This recall involves four gift sets containing a ceramic mug with metallic coating that bears Starbucks branding. They were sold in 11 oz. and 16 oz. sizes as part of one of the following gift sets sold during the 2023 holiday season: Starbucks Holiday Gift Set with 2 Mugs, Starbucks Classic Hot Cocoa and Mug, Starbucks Peppermint and Classic Hot Cocoas and Mug, and Starbucks Holiday Blend Coffee and Mug.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled mugs, and either return them to the place of purchase or contact Nestlé USA for a full refund. Consumers can receive a cash or gift card refund when they return the mug to the store where purchased, or a check from Nestlé USA when they visit https://www.nestleusa.com/info/contact-us-landing, scroll down to “Leave Us a Message”, click on “Complaint”, select “Recall” from the drop down menu, attach a photo of the mug or the gift set identifier code, complete the form and hit send. Proof of purchase (receipt) is not required to receive a full refund.
Sold At: Online and in-store at Target and Walmart, and through Nexcom (military retail outlets) nationwide from November 2023 through January 2024 for about $10, $13 or $20 depending on gift set.
March 19, 2024 - from the Food Dive:
"Unilever, which makes everything from Hellmann’s mayonnaise and Magnum ice cream bars to Dove soap and Axe deodorant, said it would benefit by running a focused portfolio of strong brands in highly attractive categories.
"Once the restructuring is complete, Unilever will be left with four business segments: beauty and wellbeing, personal care, home care and nutrition.
"Unilever said its ice cream division, which makes Good Humor, Talenti, Breyers, Popsicle and Klondike, would most likely be listed as a separate entity. It could also choose to sell the business.
"The separation of ice cream also would help Unilever distance itself from Ben & Jerry’s, a brand known for its social activism platform that often has led to tension with its corporate parent. In 2022, the brand known for quirky flavors like Cherry Garcia and Chunky Monkey sued Unilever after it divested its business in Israel without its consultation."
March 14, 2024 from the CPSC in conjunction with Government of Canada:
Air Fryers and Air Fryer Ovens have been recalled because the air fryers can overheat, causing the handles to melt or break, posing fire and burn hazards. Additionally, the air fryer ovens can overheat and the glass on the door can shatter, posing fire, burn and laceration hazards.
Consumer Contact: Best Buy at 800-566-7498 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or register online at https://www.recallrtr.com/airfryer to receive a refund. Consumers can also go online at http://www.bestbuy.com/productrecalls or www.bestbuy.com and click on “Product Recalls” located under the “Order and Purchase” column located at the bottom of the page for more information.
Description: This recall involves Insignia Air Fryers and Insignia Air Fryer Ovens, model numbers NS-AF34D2, NS-AF5DSS2, NS-AF5MSS2, NS-AF8DBD2, NS-AF10DBK2, and NS-AF10DSS2. The brand name INSIGNIA is on the top or front of each unit. A product rating label on the underside of each unit identifies the brand INSIGNIA and the model number. The air fryers and air fryer ovens have cooking chamber capacities ranging from about 3.4 to 10 quarts, and plastic or plastic and stainless-steel bodies in black and stainless-steel finishes.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled Insignia air fryers and air fryer ovens and visit https://www.recallrtr.com/airfryer for instructions on how to submit photos of the recalled unit(s), the model number, purchase receipt, and on the destruction of the unit.
Consumers can receive a refund in the form of a refund check or a Best Buy store credit. A consumer will receive the amount on the purchase receipt, or they will receive the average sales price for the model if no receipt is provided.
Consumers should not return the recalled air fryers or air fryer ovens to Best Buy stores. Best Buy has contacted all known purchasers directly.
Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received 24 reports of overheating/melting or glass shattering, including six reports of air fryers catching on fire. No injuries or property damage have been reported.
old At: Best Buy stores nationwide and online at www.bestbuy.com, www.eBay.com, and third-party sellers from November 2021 through November 2023 for between $32 and $180.
March 7, 2024 - from the Jewish Press:
"Israeli Agriculture Ministry inspectors thwarted attempts to smuggle 315 kg of chicken and mutton from the Palestinian Authority in two separate incidents.
"In one incident, at the Meitar checkpoint south of Hebron, an Israeli man in his 30s was caught trying to smuggle 215 kg. of mutton into Israel. Authorities said the meat was found unrefrigerated in the trunk of his car and did not have the required veterinary documentation. Some of the meat had been imported from Spain.
"The driver admitted intended to take the mutton to markets in Ofakim.
"In the second incident, a private vehicle was stopped at the Hashmonaim crossing near the PA village of Nilin. Inspectors found 100 kg of fresh chicken meat in the trunk, without refrigeration or veterinary documentation. The suspect admitted that the poultry was from the Palestinian Authority and was intended to be sold to markets in Lod.
"The meat from both incidents was destroyed.
March 7, 2024 from the CPSC in conjunction with Government of Canada:
EverFrost Battery Powered Coolers has been recalled because the lithium-ion batteries in the Anker EverFrost Coolers can overheat, posing a fire hazard. .
Consumer Contact: Anker at 800-988-7973 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, email at support@anker.com, or online at https://support.anker.com/s/emailcontactus. A LiveChat function is also available at https://support.anker.com/s/contact-us, or go to https://www.anker.com/anker-solix/cooler-battery-recall-pps for more information.
Description: This recall involves the lithium-ion battery packs in Anker EverFrost Coolers. The coolers are intended for use in outdoor camping, travel and fishing for cooling and freezing food or medicine. They are dark gray with wheels and a drop-down rolling handle. There is a blue charging port for charging by alternative power sources, such as plug-in or solar, on one end of the cooler. The name “Anker EverFrost” appears on the side in silver and blue. The model number is printed on the outer surface on the bottom of the cooler. The following model numbers are included in this recall:
| Product | Model # | Size |
|---|---|---|
| Anker Detachable Battery pack for Powered Cooler | A17B0 | Not Applicable |
| Anker EverFrost Powered Coolers 30 | A17A0 | 33 Liter |
| Anker EverFrost Powered Coolers 40 | A17A1 | 43 Liters |
| Anker EverFrost Powered Coolers 50 | A17A2 | 53 Liters |
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled coolers, and contact Anker for a free replacement lithium-ion battery pack. Visit https://www.anker.com/anker-solix/cooler-battery-recall-pps to file a claim, and for instructions on how to replace the battery pack. Recalled lithium-ion batteries should be disposed of in accordance with any local and state laws, and not in the trash.
Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received five reports of overheating, smoke and/or fire. No injuries have been reported.
Sold At: Best Buy, TD Synnex and other stores nationwide and online at kickstarter.com from May 2023 through September 2023 for between $250 and $950.
March 6, 2024 - from the Alt-Meat:
"Representatives from the Sunshine State today voted 86-27 to approve the first total ban on the commercial manufacture and sale of cultivated meat in an American state.
"In the Wednesday afternoon vote, the House passed SB 1084, a wide-ranging bill that includes a prohibition on the alternative protein, though it will allow scientific research in the burgeoning field.
"Representatives opposing the bill said the ban protects a powerful industry from a non-existent threat.
"The legislation, which passed the Senate last week, will now head to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk. The Republican leader has been full-throated in his support of the legislation and is expected to sign the bill into law."
February 29, 2024 - from the Florida Politics:
"The legislation still allows research into the field, but Republicans rejected a 5-year sunset on the ban.
"Senators voted to make Florida the first state to ban the sale of lab-grown meat. But a majority rejected a proposal to put a five-year sunset on that restriction.
"Republicans in the House and Senate did agree to allow scientific research in the burgeoning field. That should allow Florida programs already in place at NASA and multiple state universities to continue.
"Regardless, critics of the bill fear such a ban on commercial cultivation will have a chilling effect on a field still in its infancy.
"Biotech investors in sustainable foods have lobbied legislative leaders and Gov. Ron DeSantis on the matter, saying a ban would have economic consequences and compromise food security.
"But traditional agriculture advocates have urged extreme caution. The Florida Cattlemen’s Association and other organizations representing Florida farmers say lab-grown meats should not be considered meat, and that far more research must be done before consumers should be allowed to eat it.
"Opponents of the bill also say the legislation would hurt research in allied countries like Israel, where the government has already approved cultivated beef products. Meanwhile, it would aid countries like China, which is making a concerted effort right now to expand its own efforts in the field."
January 31, 2024 - from the Florida Politics:
"If Florida bans cultivated meat, it will be the first in the nation to do so. With food scarcity challenging modern agriculture, those behind the development of alternative protein sources fear this will set a dangerous precedent.
"That hasn’t stopped legislation from plowing forward in the House and Senate. Language completely banning the manufacturing, sale or distribution of cultivated meat now appears in larger agriculture bills in the House (HB 1071) and Senate (SB 1084).
"Leaders in the cultivated meat biotech sector, an industry still in its infancy, say the push to regulate lab-grown chicken, seafood and beef out of existence flies in the face of the conservative economic policies normally embraced by Florida lawmakers. More importantly, it could literally leave the nation starved for alternatives to slow-maturing livestock.
"But leaders within Florida agriculture, one of Florida’s largest industries, say government needs to put lab-grown meat under a statutory microscope.
"For his part. Rep. Danny Alvarez, the Hillsborough Republican running the agriculture package, in the House, said he sees a future for cultivated meat. At a committee hearing last week, he suggested it’s simply not ready for public consumption.
"He also said a sign-off from the FDA isn’t enough to give him confidence that assurance has arrived. From cigarettes to saccharin, Alvarez said, the federal agency has approved and even offered public assurance on the safety of products that later turned out to be carcinogenic.
"So far, Republican lawmakers in committee agreed. The House bill cleared its first committee last week on a 9-5 vote, and the mirror in the Senate advanced through a first stop on a 4-1 vote. Only Democrats to date have voted against the bill, though the cultivated meat ban was frequently cited as the reason.
"The agriculture bill as written would block the sale of Israeli lab-made meats in Florida, and it would prohibit any technology developed there to be employed in the Sunshine State.
"ndustry officials say in every state but Florida, the cultivated meat industry has worked in concert with farmers and traditional agriculture, believing the demands to feed a growing world population will grow as the ability to raise livestock on dwindling farmland diminishes."
February 27, 2024 - from France 24:
"The French government issued a decree Tuesday banning the term 'steak' on the label of vegetarian products, saying it was reserved for meat alone.
"Other terms that can no longer be used for meat-free products include "escalope", "ham", "filet" and "prime rib", according to the decree.
"The ruling is a response to a long-standing complaint by the meat industry that terms like "vegetarian ham" or "vegan sausage" were confusing for consumers.
"It is based on a 2020 law whose application was temporarily suspended by the State Council in June 2022 after a complaint from Proteines France, a consortium of French companies selling plant-based food.
"According to the revised decree published Tuesday, some products containing a small amount of plant-based content can continue to use meaty names, such as merguez sausage, bacon or cordon bleu.
"Producers elsewhere in the European Union can continue to sell vegetarian food with meat names in France.
"Individuals breaking the labelling law can be fined up to 1,500 euros ($1,630), rising to 7,500 euros for companies.
"But producers have one year to sell their existing stock before any penalties are applied, the decree said."
June 30, 2022 - from The Beet:
"Just weeks after France banned the use of the word 'meat' on vegan food products, the country's higher court overturned the decision after pressure from plant-based companies and consumers who fought the new labeling law
"The French court determined that the ban failed to give plant-based companies appropriate time to comply with the new restrictions. Several plant-based organizations lobbied against the decision including ProVeg International and Proteines France – a consortium of businesses aiming to enhance France’s plant-based industry.
"This ruling is an interim order, meaning that it is unclear how the courts and governments will adapt or disband the labeling restrictions. PrvoVeg international welcomed the suspension, revealing that the court expressed “serious doubts” about the ban’s legal standing."
June 30, 2022 - from Reuters:
"France will ban from October the use of meat names like 'steak' and 'sausage' on plant-based protein food, according to a decree published on Thursday, in a bid to avoid confusion over the trendy meat alternatives.
France is the first country in the European Union to impose such a restriction. In 2020, EU lawmakers rejected a similar proposal, backed by farmers.
"The market for plant-based meat-like food has surged, attracting major investment from global agrifood groups hoping to capitalise on a trend towards healthy eating, including less red meat.
"The regulation only applies to products made in France, and the country’s largest farm lobby FNSEA said it did not go far enough as it left the door open to imports.
"French meat industry association Interbev welcomed the implementation of the law initially adopted in 2020, just after the end of the pandemic lockdown.
"Terms like 'milk', 'butter' and 'cheese' are already banned at the European level on products that are not of animal origin.
"The word “burger” used by many brands including U.S. firms Beyond Meat, Impossible Foods and Restaurant Brands International Inc’s Burger King to attract consumers, would still be allowed as it does not specifically refer to meat, an Interbev spokesperson said.
March 2, 2024 from the Jerusalem Post:
"Two soldiers have been sentenced to 20 days in military prison after being caught warming up hot dogs in a military kitchen on Shabbat, according to a KAN11 report on Friday.
"The pair were caught by a third soldier who entered the kitchen and saw them committing the act.
"They were summoned to trial, where they initially denied the charges but later confessed and were sentenced to at least 20 days in prison.
"The IDF spokesperson stated in response, 'The soldiers were tried for disciplinary action by the deputy commander of the unit in light of the violation of the given instructions for operating the kitchen on Shabbat and the fact that they gave a false report to their commanders when they were questioned on the matter.'"
"'Their actions damaged the kosher food of all the soldiers of the unit. The incident is contrary to the values of the IDF and what is expected of those who serve in it.'"
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