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.
January 5, 2024 from MarketWatch:
"Global prices for food commodities like grain and vegetable oil fell last year from record highs in 2022, when Russia’s war in Ukraine, drought and other factors helped worsen hunger worldwide, the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization said Friday.
"The FAO Food Price Index, which tracks monthly changes in the international prices of commonly traded food commodities, was 13.7% lower last year than the 2022 average, but its measures of sugar and rice prices growing in that time.
"Last month, the index dropped some 10% compared with December 2022. The drop in food commodity prices in 2023 comes despite a difficult year for food security around the world.
"Climate effects like dry weather, flooding and the naturally occurring El Nino phenomenon, combined with fallout from conflicts like the war in Ukraine, bans on food trade that have added to food inflation and weaker currencies have hurt developing nations especially.
"Rice and sugar in particular were problematic last year because of climate effects in growing regions of Asia, and prices have risen in response, especially in African nations.
"Meanwhile, meat, dairy and vegetable oil prices dropped from 2022, with vegetable oil — a major export from the Black Sea region that saw big spikes after Russia invaded Ukraine — hitting a three-year low as global supplies improved, FAO said."
December 31, 2023 from YNet:
"After parting ways with Ben & Jerry's global brand and receiving special approval to independently sell the brand's products in Israel, Ben & Jerry’s Israel CEO Avi Zinger is establishing a new factory in Kiryat Gat, planned to span 19 dunams (over 3.5 acres) with an investment of 130 million shekels.
"The current factory, located in Be'er Tuvia and occupying has been operational for 20 years, reaching its full production capacity. The new and larger facility will enable Zinger to realize his vision and introduce additional products to the Israeli market.
"'Now I can do what I want,' Zinger told Ynet. 'I plan to expand the brand into other ice cream products, with the aim of increasing my market share in the ice cream industry, currently standing at 12%. I hold 49% of the ice cream pint market in Israel. The Strauss and Nestle groups tried to compete with us and failed. Our brand has always been popular among young people, but 60% of the ice cream market in the country consists of ice cream bars and popsicles, which I’m not involved in yet.
"'"I will expand the product variety so that it makes sense for retailers to only use Ben & Jerry’s coolers. We will also expand the pastry division, which produces pretzels, Belgian waffles, and blintzes – all while using natural ingredients and maintaining our brand values. Additionally, we will establish a large visitor center. In Vermont, U.S., the Ben & Jerry's visitor center is considered the best tourist site.'
"Following pressure from the BDS movement, Unilever’s autonomous board, headed by Chair Anuradha Mittal, yielded and demanded to stop selling the brand's products in Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Zinger, opting to fight the parent company’s decision, caused some investors in the brand to rethink their investment in the company.
"ubsequently, Unilever — in an unusual move — decided to sell Zinger the right to independently use the brand in Israel, allowing him to continue marketing the ice cream even in Israeli settlements.
"Recently, Mittal’s name surfaced again when she wrote a post on her X account (formerly Twitter) saying the American government should stop supporting Israel, which according to her commits genocide, and called on the International Criminal Court to take action against Israel for war crimes.
"'"I haven't given interviews since my victory," Zinger said. "But people don't understand the complex situation I'm in. There are people in the settlements and customers who want to boycott the products because of her posts and don't understand that I'm Ben & Jerry's Israel and no longer affiliated with the global Ben & Jerry's brand.'
"'“I'm an entirely Israeli brand and need customers’ support,” he added. “Customers told my distributors, 'You’re Hamas supporters,' and I have to prove I don’t. This comes after the Jewish community in the U.S. rallied for my cause. I managed to put Unilever in unprecedented global positions. I've been with the brand for 35 years and won't give up on it. I was restricted about the product I sold due to contact with them; now I'm free and looking ahead.'"
December 22, 2023 from Reuters:
"Nearly 7,000 miles away in Portland, Oregon, venture capitalist George Djuric said he was compelled to visit Israel during the country's war with Palestinian militant group Hamas and to pledge support for the high-tech sector.
"Djuric, chief technology officer at yVentures who arrived in the United States as a 3-year-old refugee from Bosnia during the Bosnian war in the mid-1990s, this week joined some 70 other U.S. tech executives and investors on a trip to Israel.
"Although not Jewish, Djuric said he was drawn to Israel by the state's resiliency and as someone whose family's views were shaped by war.
"nvestors and analysts had predicted the conflict with the Palestinians would derail a fragile recovery in high-tech, which accounts for more than half of Israel's exports and nearly a fifth of its overall economic output.
"Funding had already dropped sharply amid a global slowdown and a divisive government judicial overhaul when the war took its toll on the economy. Growth, on pace for a 3.4% clip this year, has fallen to an expected 2% with the outlook at least as grim.
"At least 15% of the tech workforce has been called up for military reserve duty. Fighting in the Gaza Strip escalated on Thursday and Hamas rocketed Tel Aviv, even as the foes engaged in the most serious talks for weeks on a new truce.
"Yet, even as the war rages, tech funding deals are still getting done, albeit at a slower pace. Startups have raised more than $6 billion in 2023 compared with $16 billion in 2022.
"On Tuesday, ScaleOps, a startup specializing in cloud resource management, announced a $21.5 million funding round. Last week, cyber startup Zero Networks, which prevents attackers from spreading in corporate networks, raised $20 million.
"Ron Miasnik of Bain Capital Ventures who co-organized the delegation, said he had expected Israeli startups to go on drawing large sums. He said he believed the country's economy would ultimately bounce back."
December 28, 2023 from the CPSC in conjunction with Government of Canada:
BlendJet 2 Portable Blenders have been recalled because the recalled blenders can overheat or catch fire and the blender blades can break off, posing fire and laceration hazards to consumers.
Consumer Contact: BlendJet toll-free at 844-334-0562 from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or online at www.blendjet.com/safetyandrecall or www.blendjet.com and click on “Recall Information” at the top of the page for more information.
This recall involves BlendJet 2 Portable Blenders sold in a variety of colors and designs. Serial numbers are printed on the bottom of the base along with “blendjet2” and “The Original Portable Blender.” The blenders measure approximately 9.5 inches in height and 3 inches wide and weigh approximately 1.5 pounds. Units where the first 4 digits of the serial number are between 5201-5542 and are subject to the recall must be identified through the use of the “Is my BlendJet 2 Recalled?” tool located at www.blendjet.com/safetyandrecall.
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled blenders and contact BlendJet for a free replacement of the BlendJet 2 base unit. Consumers will need to remove and cut the rubber seal from the base of their recalled blender into three or more pieces and upload or email a photo showing the serial number on the bottom of the unit and its rubber seal in pieces to BlendJet at www.blendjet.com/safetyandrecall or safety@blendjet.com to receive a free replacement base. Consumers can identify whether they have a recalled unit by entering the serial number of their unit into the “Is my BlendJet 2 Recalled?” tool located at www.blendjet.com/safetyandrecall, or by calling BlendJet toll-free number at 844-334-0562.
The firm has received approximately 329 reports of the blades breaking while in use, and an additional 17 reports of overheating or fires resulting in property damage claims of approximately $150,000. The firm has received about 49 reports of minor burns and one report of a laceration injury.
Sold At: Costco, Walmart, Target and other stores nationwide and online at BlendJet.com from October 2020 through November 2023 for between $50 and $75.
December 26, 2023 from the World Israel News:
"The owner of a restaurant in the village of Julis has made her establishment kosher, joining a trend begun weeks ago by eateries eager to also feed soldiers and evacuees who keep the Jewish dietary restrictions, so none are left out.
"Noor owner Basma Khir wanted to provide authentic Druze cuisine to everyone affected by the ongoing war with Hamas, and turned through a contact to Deputy Minister of Transportation Uri Maklev of the ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism party for help. His office immediately connected her with the kashruth division of the Chief Rabbinate, which made all the arrangements."
December 25, 2023 from the Jerusalem Post:
"The Food Industries Association of Israel (FIAI) warned that the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, and along with an increasing threat from Houthi rebels along the Bab al-Mandab Strait, that unless immediate action is taken by the Israeli government, Israel's food security is in danger.
"Dr. Ron Tomer, the current president of the Manufacturers’ Association of Israel (MAI) and Dodi Manevich, Chairman of the Food Industries Association, appealed to Chairman of the Economy Committee in the Knesset MK David Bitan with a request to hold an emergency discussion on the subject of food security and Israel's emergency stockpile.
"The two warned that the government must have a strategy prepared within which goals will be set to ensure local production of at least 75% of the required food in order to prevent a food crisis.
"The FIAI stated that approximately 90% of Israel's food production facilities are located in the conflict zones in the north and south, and despite the security tensions, the facilities are continuing to operate while they are exposed to rocket barrages from Gaza or Lebanon and many of their employees have been evacuated to remote areas.
"At the outbreak of war following the October 7 massacres, supermarkets and shops across Israel saw panic-buying ahead of the expected Israeli military retaliation. Water, toilet paper, and other essentials quickly sold out throughout the countrym and limits were put in place to prevent people from overbuying supplies."
December 21, 2023 from the Monsey Scoop:
"The Rabbonim of Monsey unveiled a pioneering initiative this week known as the Rockland Kashrus Oversight Committee (R.K.O.C.), which aims to provide Monsey consumers with comprehensive and current information regarding the kashrus of the foods they consume.
"The R.K.O.C. has been established with the primary objective of supporting and empowering local hechshairim to maintain their high standards and to deter the establishment of certifying agencies that do not meet our communities stringent criteria.
"The committee stressed that it does not assume complete responsibility for the kashrus of any specific establishment within its purview. Instead, its role is to ensure that kitchen protocols are in place to facilitate the work of the hechshairim in upholding kosher standards.
"The R.K.O.C., led by esteemed Rabbonim Rav Chaim Shraga Feivel Schneelbag, Rav Bezalel Tovia Wetenstein, and Rav Tzvi Moshe Langner, has garnered widespread support from prominent Monsey Rabbonim."
December 22, 2023 from the Water Digest
"As climate change and water scarcity become increasingly urgent issues around the world, governments are turning to new options to ensure adequate water supplies — including turning sewage waste into drinking water.
"And if you’re in California, this may soon be flowing from your kitchen tap.
"The State Water Resources Control Board on Tuesday voted to allow water companies to pump treated wastewater into residents’ taps in the populous, drought-prone state.
"Members unanimously approved the new regulations on Tuesday, after years of discussions and just before a deadline set six years ago for the state to adopt regulations for reusing wastewater by the end of 2023. After the new rules are finalized next year, water companies will be able to submit plans for projects to be approved by the board.
"Many people are already drinking treated wastewater, Esquivel said, the Associated Press reported. What exists now is wastewater treated by what’s known as “indirect potable reuse,” a process where wastewater is released into natural water bodies, such as reservoirs and rivers, before being turned into drinking water."
December 21, 2023 from the CPSC :
HEAO 4-in-1 High Chairs have been recalled because the high chairs pose a suffocation risk because they were marketed, intended, or designed for infant sleep, and they have an incline angle greater than 10 degrees in violation of the CPSC’s Infant Sleep Products Rule and the Safe Sleep for Babies Act. In addition, the high chairs pose finger laceration and entrapment hazards as they failed to meet mandatory requirements under the high chair standard.
Consumer Contact: Brandline collect at 302-261-5366 Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET or e-mail at maxlead.us@gmail.com.
Description: The recall involves HEAO’s 4-in-1 high chairs. The adjustable height and multiple recline positions high chairs were sold in black, blue, gold, green, gray, pink and red. They have a footrest, a detachable tray, seat cushion, and four static or rotating wheels with locks. “HEAO” is on the high chair’s head support of the seat cushion and on the front of the tray. “Max Lead Int’l Ltd. 3113 Glenfield Ave., Dallas, TX 75233 (302) 448-4207” is printed on a label stitched on the back of the seat cushion.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled high chairs and contact Brandline for instructions on how to dispose of the products and receive a full refund.
Sold Exclusively Online: Amazon.com from November 2022 through September 2023 for about $170.
December 21, 2023 from the CPSC :
Foldable wood and rope bistro set chairs have been recalled because the wooden frame of the chair can break or collapse when a consumer is seated in the chair, posing a fall hazard.
This recall involves foldable wood and rope bistro set chairs sold as part of a three- or five-piece set. Some of the sets were sold under Nautica or House & Garden brands. The folding chair sets consist of one small wooden table and two or four foldable chairs made with wood frames, and rope on the seat and back in either gray, turquoise, brown, sand, black, aqua, pink, green, taupe or white, and a gold bar supporting the back legs. Some chairs were sold individually at stores. The chairs were also sold online labeled as three-piece handcrafted in Vietnam and three-piece HD Furniture Group indoor-outdoor rope and Acacia Wood Bistro Table and Chairs Set.
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled chairs and contact TJX for instructions on how to receive a full refund and dispose of chairs. Consumers can also return the recalled chairs to any HomeGoods, Marshalls, T.J. Maxx, Homesense or Sierra store for a full refund.
Sold At: Marshalls, T.J. Maxx, HomeGoods, Homesense and Sierra stores nationwide, and online at Homegoods.com, TJmaxx.tjx.com, Marshalls.com, and Sierra.com from March 2020 through September 2023 for between $130 and $350 and between $40 and $80 for chairs sold individually.
For Consumer Contact information click here.
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