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 17, 2022 - from The Hill:
"A federal judge this week struck down an Iowa law that made it a crime for animal rights groups to go undercover and film potential livestock abuse on farms or other animal operations.
"The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa rejected a 2019 law, known as Ag-Gag 2.0, that created a trespassing charge — punishable by up to a year — for people deceptively gaining access to an animal operation to negatively affect operations there.
"The Animal Legal Defense Fund, one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit, celebrated the decision in a press release, explaining the undercover investigations are vital to public debate about the treatment of animals and the quality of food production.
"The animal rights organization pointed to a graphic May 2020 video from The Intercept depicting the mass slaughtering of pigs through a ventilation shutdown. The animals were slowly cooked to death at the Iowa operation.
"In the ruling, Judge Stephanie Rose said lawmakers have a right to assess legal protections at agricultural facilities, but the legislature cannot impinge on free speech rights and bar people with a certain point of view, according to The Associated Press.
"So-called Ag-Gag laws have been struck down in Kansas, Wyoming and Utah, but Iowa has passed four similar bills since 2012, the AP noted.
"According to a copy of the lawsuit filed by the plaintiffs, Iowa lost a similar effort on a separate Ag-Gag bill in 2019 and tweaked the law that was struck down this week only slightly."
March 9, 2022 - from CPSC
Danby brand free-standing and slide-in electric and gas ranges have been recalled because the ranges can tip over when a heavy weight is placed on an open oven door and the anti-tip-over bracket is not secured to the wall or floor, posing a tip-over hazard and risk of burn injuries from hot food or liquids in cookware.
Consumer Contact: Danby Products toll-free at 877-246-2296 from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday ET, or online at https://www.danby.com/en-us/support/product-recalls or at www.danby.com and click on “Product Recalls” for more information.
This recall involves free-standing and slide-in electric and gas ranges sold by Danby Products Limited. The units were sold in white, black and other finish colors. The model number is located on the oven frame or under the electric stovetop, visible after opening the door or lifting the stovetop. Only units with the below model and serial numbers are included in the recall. The gas range serial number is located on the oven frame inside the bottom drawer. The electric range serial number is located under the electric stove top. “Danby” is printed on the stove top.
| Model Number | UPC | Serial Range | Description | |
| DER202B A* | 67638015240 | HS582375P | HS582375P | DANBY 20" ELECTRIC RANGE BLACK |
| DER202W A* | 67638015233 | HS582596P | HS585704P | DANBY 20" ELECTRIC RANGE WHITE |
| DR202BGLP A* | 67638015226 | HS582436P | HS585995P | DANBY 20" GAS RANGE BLACK SOLID DOOR |
| DR202BSSGLP A* | 67638015257 | HS581458P | HS586930P | DANBY DESIGNER 20" GAS RANGE BLACK STAINLESS |
| DR202WGLP A* | 67638015219 | HS582756P | HS585076P | DANBY 20” GAS RANGE WHITE |
Remedy: Consumers should contact Danby Appliances to determine if their unit is part of the recall and to schedule a free in-home service call to inspect the recalled range’s anti-tip bracket and ensure it is securely installed in the floor or wall. Consumers are cautioned not to place any objects on the open oven door until the range’s anti-tip bracket has been inspected and repaired, if necessary. Consumers should not return the recalled ranges to the place of purchase, as retailers are not prepared to take the units back. Danby is contacting all known purchasers directly.
Sold At: Home Depot, ABC Appliance, and other appliance stores nationwide and business-to-business distributors, including Almo Distributing, Penna Inc., Home Depot Pro and Tri State Distributors from June 2021 through November 2021 for between $560 and $740.
March 7, 2022 - from FDA
Tennessee Technical Coatings Corp. is voluntarily recalling all lots of HAND SANITIZER Isopropyl Alcohol Antiseptic 75% to the consumer/user level. FDA analysis has found the product to contain methanol.
These products are used as hand sanitizers and marketed to help decrease bacteria on the skin when soap and water are not available. HAND SANITIZER Isopropyl Alcohol Antiseptic 75% is packaged in one-gallon plastic jugs. The affected HAND SANITIZER Isopropyl Alcohol Antiseptic 75% lots include the following batch numbers:
| Batch Number | Container Size | NDC |
|---|---|---|
| 00421002 | One Gallon | 76921-000-01 |
| 00422001 | One Gallon | 76921-000-01 |
| 00429001 | One Gallon | 76921-000-01 |
| 00521001 | One Gallon | 76921-000-01 |
| 00622003 | One Gallon | 76921-000-01 |
| 00806001 | One Gallon | 76921-000-01 |
The product can be identified by the representative label above. The hand sanitizer was distributed in Tennessee, USA to retail customers and to wholesale companies who further distributed between approximately April 2020 and August 2020.
Tennessee Technical Coatings is notifying its distributors and customers by letter, and telephone and is arranging for return of all recalled products. Consumers/distributors/retailers that have HAND SANITIZER Isopropyl Alcohol Antiseptic 75% which is being recalled should stop using, return to place of purchase/contact their doctor.
Consumers with questions regarding this recall can contact Tennessee Technical Coatings by calling 931-359-6666 or via the e-mail address ttchelpdesk@tntechcoatings.net Monday through Thursday 8am-5pm central standard time. Consumers should contact their physician or healthcare provider if they have experienced any problems that may be related to taking or using this drug product.
March 3, 2022 - from Reuters:
"Ben & Jerry's was sued on Thursday by its longtime Israeli ice cream manufacturer, which said the company illegally severed their 34-year relationship after halting sales in Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories.
"Avi Zinger said Ben & Jerry's refused to renew the license for his American Quality Products Ltd because he would not abide by the company's decision to stop selling its products in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and parts of East Jerusalem.
"Ben & Jerry's and its parent Unilever Plc (ULVR.L) declined to comment on the lawsuit, which was filed with the U.S. District Court in Newark, New Jersey.
"According to Thursday's complaint, Ben & Jerry's had "repeatedly promised" Zinger it would renew its license with his 169-employee company beyond its scheduled Dec. 31, 2022 expiration, but caved to pressure from Israel's opponents.
"Zinger, an Israeli citizen, said the only reason for the reversal was his 'refusal to comply with their unlawful demand that plaintiffs violate Israeli law by boycotting parts of Israel."
February 17,2022 - from Food Processing:
"Sesame will have to be declared as an allergen on food packaging starting next year, but it is severely under-identified on food labeling right now, according to a new study.
"The study, published in the medical journal Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, was based on the results of a survey administered to 327 individuals who had required medical treatment as a result of allergic reactions to sesame. Researchers examined the packaging of food products that the subjects identified as the source of those reactions. They found that about two-thirds of the allergic reactions had been caused by packaged food products – and of those products, less than half had the word 'sesame' on their packaging.
Instead, many products used terms like 'tahini' without disclosing that it is sesame paste, or even passed sesame off as a 'spice.'"
April 23, 2021 - from foodallergy.org/:
"The Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education and Research Act of 2021 (FASTER Act), was signed into law by President Joseph R. Biden Jr."
"This new law requires that sesame be labeled on packaged goods by January 1, 2023. In addition, the Secretary of Health and Human Services is tasked with conducting a comprehensive research report on food allergies. Lastly, our new law establishes a scientific, risk-based process for adding new allergens to be labeled. "
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February 23, 2022 - from Consumer Product Safety Commission
Festive Lights Hanukkah Menorahs have been recalled because the resin and medium-density fiberboard (“MDF”) menorahs can burn or catch fire when holding lit candles, posing a fire hazard.
Consumer Contact: Marshalls toll-free at 888-627-7425, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or online at www.marshalls.com and click on “Contact Us” at the bottom of the page, or https://www.marshalls.com/us/store/jump/topic/Product-Recalls/2400019; HomeGoods at 800-888-0776, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or online at www.homegoods.com, and click on “Customer Service” at the bottom of the page, or https://www.homegoods.com/us/store/jump/topic/find-help/our-product-/2400009; Homesense toll-free at 855-660-4663, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or online at www.homesense.com, and click on “Customer Service” at the bottom of the page, or https://us.homesense.com/recalls. Customers can also email customer service at customerservice@tjx.com.
Description: This recall involves resin and medium-density fiberboard (“MDF”) menorahs with inserts for nine candles. The menorahs were sold in the following shapes: llama, brontosaurus, stegosaurus, T-rex, castle, rainbow, rainbow platform and emojis. The menorahs were sold with a white hangtag with an image of a blue and silver menorah and the following text: “FESTIVE LIGHTS HANUKKAH MENORAH.” One of the following style numbers is printed on the label on the bottom of the menorahs: 262933, 263407, 263417, 262950, 856166, 856168, 856179, 856182, 856189, 856192, 856262, 856266.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled menorahs and return them to any Marshalls, HomeGoods, or Homesense stores for their choice of either a full refund or a refund in the form of a store gift card. Consumers can also contact TJX for instructions to submit photographic proof of appropriate disposal to receive either a full refund or refund in the form of a store gift card.
Incidents/Injuries: TJX has received three reports in the U.S. of the menorahs burning or catching on fire when holding lit candles. No injuries or property damage have been reported.
Sold At: Marshalls, HomeGoods and Homesense stores nationwide from November 2021 through January 2022 for between $8 and $15.
February 22, 2022 - from VinNews:
"The cost of Israeli groceries outranks the majority of 36 countries surveyed for a new report published last week by the United Kingdom’s Money website.
"Israel ranked No. 6 in the list of “most expensive countries for groceries,” after Switzerland, South Korea, Norway, Iceland and France.
"Money’s personal finance experts analyzed the average cost of a weekly grocery shopping in 26 countries and also compared how these costs compare against earnings in each country.
"The United States ranked directly under Israel, followed by Denmark, Canada and Australia.
"The cheapest country for groceries was Turkey, according to the report, followed by Colombia and Poland."
February 20, 2022 - from Jerusalem Post:
"More than a million people fly Turkish Airlines from Israel every year and many kosher-keeping Jews pass through the Istanbul airport.
"Istanbul International Airport now has kosher food: sandwiches, cakes and pastries sold in vending machines and even hot meals served at the business lounges.
"More than a million people fly Turkish Airlines from Israel every year, and naturally, many kosher-keeping Jews pass through the Istanbul Airport.
"The Jewish community in Turkey together with the OK Kashrut company and Rabbi Mendy Chitrik of the Ashkenazi community in Istanbul started providing kosher food to thousands of travelers in the airport.
"A second option will be offered to travelers who have access to the business lounges.
"The lounge will have hot food wrapped in two layers [for Kashrut reasons], therefore can be heated in an oven."
February 20, 2022 - from cRc Twitter Feed:
cRc-kosher certified food is back at the United Center
February 16, 2022 - from the Jerusalem Post:
"Rabbi David Stav, who is both the chief rabbi of Shoham and the chair of Tzohar has begun acting in that role, becoming the first municipal rabbi to publicly do so in the context of the new reforms.
"Municipal rabbis are now able to provide supervision to businesses and establishments outside of the city in which they serve, part of the first phase of the recently approved reforms on Israeli kosher supervision advanced by Religious Services Minister Matan Kahana.
"Rabbi David Stav, who is both the chief rabbi of Shoham and chairman of the national-religious Tzohar organization, has begun acting in that role, becoming the first municipal rabbi to publicly do so within the context of the new reforms."
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