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 18, 2025 from the CPSC
4 Liter/6 Can Minifridges have been recalled because the recalled minifridges’ electrical switch can short circuit, posing fire and burn hazards.
Consumer Contact: AstroAI toll-free at 877-278-7624 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT, Monday through Friday, email at recall@astroai.com, or online at https://www.astroai.com/product-recall or www.astroai.com and click on “Recalls” for more information.
Description: This recall involves the AstroAI 4-Liter/6-Can minifridges. AstroAI is printed on the front of the units. The model and serial numbers are found on a label on the back of the minifridge. The model number is “LY0204A”. The nine-digit serial number of the affected units starts with “S/N” and begins with the following numbers: 19, 20, 21, 2201, 2202 or 2203. The serial number is located on either the bottom or the middle-right portion of the label. The minifridges measure 9.45 inches in diameter x 6.9 inches wide x 10 inches high. The minifridges were sold in a variety of colors, including black, white, blue and pink.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled minifridges and contact AstroAI for a free replacement minifridge. To receive a replacement minifridge, consumers should send a photo of the recalled minifridge, showing the model number and serial number, with “Recalled” written on the minifridge in permanent marker to AstroAI by email at recall@astroai.com or through the online portal at https://www.astroai.com/product-recall. Consumers should dispose of the recalled minifridges in accordance with state and local waste disposal procedures.
Incidents/Injuries: CPSC has received at least 70 reports of the minifridges smoking, burning, melting or catching fire. Two fires resulted in extensive property damages, together totaling more than $360,000 in reported damages.
Sold At: Online at Amazon.com and Astroai.com from June 2019 through June 2022 for about $40.
June 12, 2025 from CPSC in Conjunction with the Government of Canada
Giraffe highchairs have been recalled because the highchairs pose a fall hazard and risk of serious injury or death to babies because the legs of the chair can detach from the frame if the screws connecting the legs are not properly tightened during assembly. Description: This recall involves Bugaboo Giraffe highchairs. The highchairs measure about 30 inches tall, 21 inches wide and 23 inches long. The highchairs were sold in blue, black, natural wood/white, warm wood/gray and white with the item codes listed below. The item codes are located on the bottom of the seat.
| Color | Item Code |
|---|---|
| Blue | 200008005 |
| Black | 200008004 |
| Neutral Wood/White | 200008002 |
| Warm Wood/Gray | 200008003 |
| White | 200008001 |
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled highchairs and contact Bugaboo to receive a free repair kit including an Allen key and new screws to install into the product’s legs. Bugaboo is contacting all known purchasers directly.
Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received 22 reports of the legs of the chair detaching, including 13 reports of minor injuries.
Sold At: Nordstrom and other specialty stores nationwide and online at www.bugaboo.com and www.Amazon.com from May 2023 through April 2025 for about $380.
June 9, 2025 from Matzav.com:
"British lawmakers were set to deliberate today on a proposal that seeks to prohibit shechitah without prior stunning—a practice central to both kosher and certain halal dietary laws. According to a report by The Independent, the petition that triggered the debate has amassed over 109,000 signatures and characterizes the method as “barbaric,” asserting that it clashes with what it calls 'modern British values.'
"If the proposal were to move forward, it would revoke religious exemptions that currently allow shechitah and specific halal practices to proceed without stunning animals beforehand. Proponents of the ban insist that animal welfare should take precedence, while opponents argue that both kosher and halal methods are deeply rooted in religious tradition and incorporate strict standards of humane treatment.
"Under current legislation in the UK, stunning animals before slaughter is generally required. However, religious slaughter is granted exceptions. In actual practice, the overwhelming majority of halal meat is stunned before slaughter, while kosher meat is not. These practices are all carried out under government supervision, with the Food Standards Agency ensuring compliance with relevant regulations.
"Many critics of the petition have voiced concern that banning non-stun slaughter would threaten the religious freedoms of both Muslim and Jewish communities in the UK. They stress that observance of religious dietary laws is a fundamental component of their cultural and spiritual life.
"Ahead of the parliamentary session on June 9, supporters of religious slaughter have urged the public to reach out to their Members of Parliament. Meanwhile, the Halal Monitoring Committee has signaled its intention to engage with lawmakers in an effort to provide a clear and factual explanation of traditional slaughter techniques."
June 10, 2025 from Food Safety News:
"Two species of fish-borne parasites have been found in freshwater fish routinely caught for consumption. Researchers say people could be eating the fish in ways that are conducive to transmission.
"The analysis of freshwater fish collected at five fishing sites in San Diego County, CA, was published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases and showed that two species of trematodes, a type of flatworm, were prevalent in seven fish species. The infected fish species are found across the United States.
"One of the trematode varieties was found to have infected fish from all testing sites with 93 percent of the fish tested being infected. The other type of parasite was found in fish at two of the testing sites and had an overall prevalence of 89 percent.
"Researchers with the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California-San Diego discovered that fish species found to be infected with the parasites included largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie and common carp.
"An invasive snail has been found to be a host for the parasites, which cause human illness. Trematodes have historically infected people in Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific and local transmission wasn’t a concern in the United States until the arrival of the freshwater snail that serves as a host. The snail is now found in at least 17 states and Puerto Rico. Previous research by the same team found that the snail and the two trematodes have become widespread at freshwater fishing sites in California.
"n the initial stage of their lifecycle, trematodes infect the snails, then exit the infected snails and move on to a second intermediate host — fish. The adult trematodes then infect hosts, like birds or people, that eat the infected fish. If ingested by people, trematodes infect the small intestine, causing gastrointestinal symptoms that range from mild diarrhea to weight loss and lethargy.
"People can take to reduce the risk, like properly cooking or freezing fish before consumption, which kills the parasites.
June 6, 2025 from Vegconomist:
"The Senate Agriculture Committee has advanced the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025, legislation that seeks to increase access to both whole milk and non-dairy beverages in the National School Lunch Program. While the bill includes provisions for whole and low-fat milk, it also creates a significant opportunity for expanding plant-based milk options, such as almond, soy, and oat milk, in public schools across the country.
"Though the inclusion of dairy milk options has raised concerns from those advocating for plant-based alternatives, the bill’s provision for expanding access to non-dairy beverages has been praised by many. For students who cannot consume dairy due to health reasons or personal beliefs, the increased availability of plant-based options addresses a growing demand for cruelty-free and allergen-free choices."
May 29, 2025 from CPSC :
VFAUOSIT Kitchen Faucets, model number 06BNV have been recalled because the recalled faucets were tested and found to contain lead that can leach into water at levels that can be particularly harmful to infants and young children. The faucets were also found to leach other contaminants.
Lead ingestion can cause harmful neurological effects on infants and young children, including attention-related behavioral problems, decreased cognitive performance and lower IQ.
Consumer Contact: Whisper08 by email at customerservice@vfauosit.com.
Description: This recall involves VFAUOSIT kitchen faucets, model number 06BNV. The faucets are brushed nickel, single-handle kitchen faucets with a pull-down detachable spray and single-hole installation. Consumers can identify whether they have a recalled faucet by searching their Amazon purchase history for “Vfauosit” and “kitchen faucet” and looking for a description including pull-down sprayer, brushed nickel, stainless steel modern, high-arc, single-handle, single-hole, pull-out kitchen faucet for bar laundry RV utility sink. Remedy:
Consumers should immediately stop using these faucets and contact Whisper08 about disposal and a refund. Consumers will need to provide a photograph of disposal and their order number to receive the refund. Whisper08 is contacting all known purchasers directly.
Until these faucets can be replaced, consumers should only consume water from the faucets after running the water for 15 seconds.
Sold At: Online at www.amazon.com from January 2024 through May 2025 for about $40. .
May 29, 2025 from CPSC :
BASDEHEN Kitchen Faucets, model number CFDTTH-000-YGH have been recalled because the recalled faucets were tested and found to contain lead that can leach into water at levels that can be particularly harmful to infants and young children. The faucets were also found to leach other contaminants.
Lead ingestion can cause harmful neurological effects on infants and young children, including attention-related behavioral problems, decreased cognitive performance and lower IQ.
Consumer Contact: Chenfeng Store by email at ChenfengStoreF@outlook.com.
Description: This recall involves BASDEHEN kitchen faucets, model number CFDTTH-000-YGH. The faucets are matte black single-handle kitchen faucets with 360° swivel, spring spout design, detachable spray, optional mounting plate and single-hole installation. Consumers can identify whether they have a recalled faucet by searching their Amazon purchase history for “Basdehen” and “kitchen faucet.”
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using these faucets and contact Chenfeng Store about disposal and a refund. Consumers will need to provide a photograph of disposal to receive the refund. Amazon is contacting all known purchasers directly.
Until these faucets can be replaced, consumers should only consume water from the faucets after running the water for 15 seconds.
Sold At: Online at www.amazon.com from May 2024 through May 2025 for about $30.
May 29, 2025 from CPSC :
KICIMPRO Kitchen Faucets, model number KM800-01-06BN had been recalled because the recalled faucets were tested and found to contain lead that can leach into water at levels that can be particularly harmful to infants and young children.
Lead ingestion can cause harmful neurological effects on infants and young children, including attention-related behavioral problems, decreased cognitive performance and lower IQ.
Consumer Contact: Kicimpro by email at support@kicimprohome.com.
Description: This recall involves KICIMPRO kitchen faucets, model number KM800-01-06BN. The faucets are brushed nickel, single-handle kitchen faucets with a pull-down detachable spray and single-hole installation. Consumers can identify whether they have a recalled faucet by searching their Amazon purchase history for “Kicimpro” and “kitchen faucet” and looking for a description including pull-down sprayer, brushed nickel, high-arc, single-handle sink faucet with water lines, commercial modern RV stainless steel, grifos de cocina.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using these faucets and contact Kicimpro about disposal and a refund. Consumers will need to provide a photograph of disposal and their order number to receive the refund. Kicimpro is contacting all known purchasers directly.
Until these faucets can be replaced, consumers should only consume water from the faucets after running the water for 15 seconds.
May 22, 2025 from Swineweb:
"Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen, a lifelong hog farmer and staunch advocate for conventional agriculture, signed LB246 into law this week, officially banning the production, sale, promotion, and distribution of cultivated (lab-grown) meat within the state.
"The new law makes Nebraska the sixth state in the U.S. to enact such a ban, marking a significant step in the national debate over alternative proteins and the future of food.
"This move follows an earlier Executive Order signed by Gov. Pillen in August 2024, which prohibited state agencies from purchasing lab-grown meat and mandated that state contractors support conventional meat producers without preference for cultivated alternatives.
"The ban aligns with growing efforts in several agricultural states to protect traditional livestock industries from the emerging competition of lab-grown meat technologies."
May 19, 2025 from The Acheson Group:
"In a little over a year, any food sold in California must meet a new date labeling regulation which vastly limits the allowed verbiage for a food quality or safety date label. The food and beverage products labeling regulation (AB 660) requires that the label of food manufactured for human consumption on or after July 1, 2026:
"Although it is a California law, not a federal law, the initiative impacts the entire food industry just as has California’s previous regulation banning brominated vegetable oil (BVO), potassium bromate, propylparaben, and red dye 3. Not only is it challenging, and often financially unfeasible, to formulate – or label – a food differently for California and the rest of the US, but the regulation is likely to further inform the federal discussion on food labeling.
"To clarify the required uses of the new date labeling, additional provisions of the California regulation state:
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