K A S H R U T . C O M_©

April 5, 2024 from the FDA:

Aruba Aloe Balm N.V. is voluntarily recalling 40 lots of Aruba Aloe Hand Sanitizer Gel Alcohol 80% and Aruba Aloe Alcoholada Gel to the consumer level. The products have been found to contain alcohol denatured with methanol.

Aruba Aloe Hand Sanitizer Gel is used as a sanitizer to help reduce bacteria that potentially can cause disease and is packaged in 12 fl oz (355 mL) dark green plastic bottles with white label reading in part “ARUBA ALOE Hand Sanitizer GEL 80% Alcohol Made in Aruba World’s Finest Aloe”, with barcode 0 82252 03300 5.

Aruba Aloe Alcoholada Gel is used for temporary relief of pain and itching associated with minor burns, sunburn, insect bites, or minor skin irritations and is packaged in two sizes: 2.2 fl oz (65 mL) plastic bottles with barcode 0 82252 34030 1 and 8.5 fl oz (251 mL) plastic bottles with barcode 0 82252 03120 9. The plastic bottles are transparent with a label reading in part “Alcoholada Gel Pain Relieving Gel 0.5% Lidocaine Hydrochloride”.

Lot numbers of the products being recalled is here

Products were distributed between 5/1/2021 and 10/27/2023 and sold in the US online only via the Aruba Aloe Balm N.V. website. Aruba Aloe Balm N.V. has notified all customers that bought these products by email and has offered a discount coupon for a next purchase.

Consumers with questions regarding this recall can contact Aruba Aloe Balm N.V. by Email: recall@arubaaloe.com.

April 4, 2024 from the CPSC :

BLACK+DECKER Model HGS011 Easy Garment Steamers have been recalled because the steamers can expel, spray, or leak hot water during use, posing a burn hazard to consumers.

Consumer Contact: Empower Brands at 800-990-5298 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday, email at hgsrecall@brandprotectplus.com or online at www.prodprotect.com/recall or www.blackanddeckerappliances.com and click on “Safety Notices” at the bottom of the page for more information.

Description: This recall expansion involves all BLACK+DECKER Model HGS011 Easy Garment Steamers, including those that were repaired as part of the previous recall in November 2022. The steamers were sold in a variety of colors. The name BLACK+DECKER is located at the base of the steamer. The steamer measures about 11 inches high by 6 inches wide, and has a large handle. The model numbers are printed on the bottom of the steamer and on all sides of the color package, and UPC codes are printed on the sides, back and bottom of the color package.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled BLACK+DECKER Model HGS011 Easy Garment Steamers, and contact Empower Brands to receive a full refund.

There have been continued reports of burn injuries involving units that were repaired as part of the previous recall in November 2022. The remedy has now been changed to a refund for all units. Consumers, including those who received a replacement upper assembly as part of the November 2022 recall, should contact Empower Brands for a full refund.

Incidents/Injuries: Since the recall was announced in November 2022, Empower Brands has received 317 reports of hot water expelling from the recalled steamers, including 82 reports of burn injuries, seven of which were second-degree burns. 94 of these incident reports involved units that were repaired as part of the original recall or models featuring the updated design, including 19 burn injuries.

Sold At: Walmart, Target, Amazon, Bed Bath & Beyond and other stores nationwide, including online at www.walmart.com, www.target.com, www.amazon.com, www.bedbathandbeyond.com, and www.blackanddeckerappliances.com from June 2021 through February 2024 for between $14 and $23.

March 31, 2024 from the VinNews:

" NY Assemblyman Sam Pirozzolo (R-Staten Island) is proposing a bill to exempt certain ethnic restaurants, such as pizzerias and matzah-makers, from strict emissions regulations targeting wood- and coal-fired ovens. Pirozzolo argues that these regulations unfairly target businesses that cook ethnic cuisine and suggests that the government should focus on more pressing issues like crime and public safety.

"On the other hand, the Department of Environmental Protection defends the regulations as necessary to reduce harmful emissions and protect public health. The regulations, backed by Mayor Eric Adams, require affected businesses to install costly air filtration systems to reduce emissions from their traditional ovens.

"Pirozzolo’s proposed bill, titled the “Preserving Our Culinary Traditions Act,” aims to waive pollution restrictions on the burning of wood, coal, and other fuels for cooking purposes. He argues that such exemptions are necessary to preserve the rich culinary traditions of New York City and relieve businesses from financial burdens imposed by compliance costs.

"The article also mentions efforts by other lawmakers, such as Brooklyn City Councilman Justin Brannan, who are considering alternative solutions such as tax breaks to help businesses afford the necessary filtration equipment.

"Overall, the debate revolves around balancing environmental concerns with the preservation of cultural and culinary traditions, as well as the economic viability of affected businesses."

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.

Unilever to cut 7,500 jobs and spin off ice cream business

March 19, 2024 - from the Food Dive:

• "Unilever plans to spin off its ice cream business as part of a sweeping restructuring plan designed to create “a simpler, more focused company.”
• "The Ben & Jerry’s manufacturer said ice cream has “distinct characteristics” compared to other parts of its business, including its presence in frozen, more seasonality and a greater capital intensity. As a standalone entity, the management team will have the flexibility to grow ice cream and allocate capital and resources in a business with a specific strategy.
• "The consumer goods company also announced it would cut about 7,500 jobs as part of the restructuring effort designed to increase sales, cut costs and boost productivity. Unilever currently employs about 128,000 people.

"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."