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 31, 2025 from Israel National News:
"Ashkenazic Chief Rabbi Kalman Ber, who heads the Chief Rabbinate Council, has announced that he will serve as head of the committee for shechita (ritual slaughter) abroad.
"The unprecedented move follows revelations of serious flaws recently discovered in the system for supervision of the meat imported to Israel.
"Rabbi Ber's decision follows the publication of a list of serious failures in the system for supervising the kashrut (kosher status) of meat imported from abroad. These failures were reported by Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu, who currently heads the committee.
"Among other failures reported were: a lack of supervision, failure to appoint someone to head the Chief Rabbinate's Department for Kosher Slaughter Abroad, and failure to follow the acts of slaughter and supervision.
"Though Rabbi Eliyahu asked the Director General of the Chief Rabbinate to appoint someone to head the department, the move has not yet taken place. In light of the delays and evasiveness of the staff in implementing the needed reforms, Rabbi Bar himself was invited to head the committee. Rabbi Eliyahu will continue in the committee as well, as deputy to Rabbi Ber.
"The Committee for Shechita Abroad is responsible for supervising and inspecting millions of tons of kosher meat imported to Israel annually, and the issues exposed arouse great concerns amongst the Torah-observant community at large."
April 3, 2025 from CPSC :
Vivitar Blender Bottles have been recalled because the blender’s blades can continue to operate when the bottle is not attached to the blender, posing a laceration hazard.
Consumer Contact: Sakar at 800-592-9541 anytime, email at support@sakar.com, or online at https://www.vivitar.com/pages/recalls or https://www.vivitar.com and click on “Recalls” at the bottom of the page.
Description: This recall involves Vivitar Blender Bottles. The bottles are made of clear plastic and have a white plastic base with a white top. "VIVITAR," "Description: Blender Bottle," "ITEM: ES15-BB-TA" and "MID #5220824" are printed on a sticker located under the white plastic base of the bottle. "MID #5220824"is also stamped on the underside of the white plastic base.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled blender bottles and contact Sakar for instructions on how to receive a full refund in the form of a $5 Target gift card or a check, and a pre-paid return shipping label. The recalled blender must be returned to Sakar to receive the refund. Proof of purchase (receipt) is not required. Consumers should not return the recalled units to Target stores. Sakar is contacting all known purchasers.
Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received one report where the consumer was able to remove the bottle from the base while the blades were engaged. No injuries have been reported.
Sold At: Target stores nationwide and online at Target.com from December 2024 through January 2025 for about $5.
April 3, 2025 from CPSC :
HONEYJOY Convertible and Foldable High Chairs have been recalled because the recalled high chairs pose a suffocation risk because they were marketed for infant sleep and 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.
Consumer Contact: HONEYJOY by e-mail at honeyjoyrecall@hotmail.com or online at https://www.amazon.com/stores/page/A401562A-3E1E-43A1-8F23-3AAE28BA14FC?ingress=2&visitId=596d5ffc-9ec0-4624-baae-6aad8d0c70dd&store_ref=bl_ast_dp_brandLogo_sto&ref_=ast_bln or www.amazon.com/stores/page/3AD84AC7-8A2C-402F-B205-F6D434FA6C53 and click “MORE” at the top of the page and then “RECALL HIGH CHAIR” from the drop down menu for more information.
The recall involves HONEYJOY COMPANY high chairs made of metal and plastic with a cloth seat in various colors/prints. A sewn-in label with the model number and date of manufacture can be found on the top cover of the seat. The models that are included in this recall are hereRemedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled high chairs and contact HONEYJOY to register for a full refund. Consumers should remove the seat, write “RECALLED” in large letters on the front and rear of the seatback using a marker, and email a photograph of the defaced product to honeyjoyrecall@hotmail.com to obtain a full refund. Consumers will need to follow disposal instructions provided by HONEYJOY. HONEYJOY and Amazon are contacting all known purchasers directly.
March 27, 2025 from New York State Attorney General:
"New York Attorney General Letitia James today issued a consumer alert urging New Yorkers to be careful of potential discriminatory pricing practices at car washes in the days leading up to Passover and warning businesses that this practice is illegal. In previous years, there have been reports of car wash businesses in predominantly Orthodox Jewish communities in New York City and the Hudson Valley raising prices for Jewish customers seeking cleaning services ahead of Passover. In the days leading up to Passover, many Jews clean their homes, cars, and other spaces to remove “chametz” (leavened products). According to reports provided to the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), some companies have advertised “specials” for car washing services related to Passover, but instead, charged higher prices to Jewish customers and refused to provide the regular car wash prices. Under New York law, it is illegal to discriminate against someone on the basis of religion.
ttorney General James reminds consumers to be vigilant against price gouging on essential Passover goods and services, including:
"Anyone who is aware of businesses using discriminatory practices or believes that they were charged more for services because of their religion, race, or background is encouraged to file a complaint online or call 1-800-771-7755."
March 26, 2025 from IsraelNationalNews:
"Halachic commotion in the Knesset: MK Ahmad Tibi (Ta'al) published a photo of him and other MKs using Knesset dishes to eat non-kosher food at their Ramadan pre-fast meal.
"In the photo that Tibi posted on his Instagram story, he is seen using dishes from the Knesset's kosher cafeteria to eat outside food that was not kosher.
"MKs and Knesset staff were infuriated by the photo and claimed that it was an insult to religious sentiments and kashrut in the Knesset.
"The Betsalmo organization contacted the Knesset Ethics Committee demanding that Tibi be severely punished, claiming that he violated Knesset policy.
"The Knesset Rabbi's office reported that the issue is under review.
March 21, 2025 from Vinnews:
"Israel’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security this week announced it was temporarily expanding duty-free egg import quotas to ensure a steady supply during the Passover holiday, which starts on April 12.
"As part of the move, which was made jointly with the Israeli Finance Ministry, the import quota for eggs will be increased to 105 million.
"The average egg consumption in the Jewish state is around 200 million monthly, roughly matching the domestic production capacity. During Passover, however, the demand spikes to approximately 240 million.
"At the Agriculture Ministry’s initiative, an additional four million eggs have already been imported into the country over the past week, with the remaining eggs expected to arrive in the coming three weeks.
"The ministry’s initiative includes importing eggs from avian flu-free areas in Europe, as well as industrially produced ones from the United States.
"Despite a global rise in egg costs, the ministry assured consumers this week that prices remain under government control, with no hikes expected ahead of the Jewish holiday of freedom."
March 7, 2025 from YNet:
"Israeli egg importers face skyrocketing prices in Europe and the US, while local production struggles post-war; Agriculture Ministry insists there will be enough eggs for the holiday, but distributors warn of significant shortages
"Although 90% of the eggs sold in Israel are produced locally, the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry has opened a quota for importing 105 million eggs to meet the increased demand during Passover, a holiday rich in egg-based dishes. “The price control on eggs keeps their cost in Israel relatively low compared to Western countries,” the Agriculture Ministry told Ynet.
"“Today, there’s no doubt eggs in Israel are among the cheapest in the world.” According to egg distributors, who are also importers, the low consumer price in Israel, which is dictated by price-control regulations, creates challenges for importing eggs, as prices in Europe have risen sharply.
"The steep price increase in the U.S. is attributed to a 12% shortage caused by avian flu outbreaks and unchecked price hikes by suppliers in a country without price controls. The chaos in the U.S. egg market has also affected Europe, which has been grappling with avian flu for years.
"Their prices have risen more moderately than in the U.S., not only due to the disease but also because of reforms requiring more spacious poultry coops and increased exports to the U.S., which have driven up costs for Israeli distributors purchasing from European suppliers.
"Israel's Poultry Council head Shmuel Levit, added: 'I believe there will be enough eggs for Passover, as distributors won’t risk failing to supply retailers. However, importation has been unprofitable for months, and it has gotten worse over the past two months.'"
March 21, 2025 from FrumNews.com:
"As Pesach approaches, a new New York City decree went into affect threatening the closure of Brooklyn's Matzah Bakeries. Askunim from all NYC communities are urgently trying to find a compromise to keep NYC Matzah Bakeries open"A new controversial New York City environmental regulation that went into effect, would threaten Brooklyn's beloved matzah bakeries for Pesach
"The new rule introduced by the NYC Department of Environmental Protection requires coal and wood-fire pizza stores and eateries including matzah bakeries to install a very costly emission control system to cut their smoke pollutants by 75%.
"The very costly filters would raise the cost of matzah much higher, matzah bakeries warn. Likely leading to the closure of most New York City Matzah Bakeries and having them relocated to more business friendly territories.
"As the new NYC rules were introduced, Mayor Eric Adams also weighed in, urging a path of compromise. 'We don't want to hurt businesses in the city, and we don’t want to hurt the environment. So, let's see if we can find a way to get the resolutions we're looking for'.
"NY Republican Assemblyman Sam Pirozzolo, who proudly represents the growing Frum community in Staten Island, is trying to fight this. He proposed a new compromised bill, 'Preserving Our Culinary Traditions Act'; which would waive the restrictions on burning wood, coal, natural gas, or other fuels to cook or prepare food.
"Assemblyman Pirozzolo argues that this rule is anti-business and would do little to actually help the fight against pollution and global warming. He points out that Governor Hochul's controversial bill to ban gas stoves and furnaces from new buildings gave an exception to existing restaurants, which this bill doesn't, so why not here.
"FrumNews.com has confirmed that many prominent Askunim from all NYC Jewish communities are actively in-communication with city officials trying to find a middle ground that would keep the NYC Matzah Bakeries open."
March 19, 2025 from The National Provsioner:
"Rep. Josh Riley (D-NY) is introducing The Lowering Egg Prices Act with Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Pat Harrigan (R-NC) and Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-MI), which would eliminate a regulation that forces farmers to discard millions of eggs each year.
"The bill mirrors the National Chicken Council’s previous petition to the Food and Drug Administration to reverse or modify a 15-year old regulation that forces the broiler industry to discard safe eggs.
"Federal regulations require the refrigeration of eggs 36 hours after they are laid. But that rule does not distinguish between table eggs, which are raw products that need to be refrigerated, and breaker eggs, which are pasteurized for use in everyday grocery products.
"This has forced the broiler industry to throw away nearly 400 million safe eggs each year. The Lowering Egg Prices Act will fix this problem by granting regulatory discretion on the refrigeration requirement for broiler eggs.
"A bipartisan group of more than a dozen members of the House of Representatives also recently wrote to Acting FDA Commissioner Sara Brenner, urging the agency to grant NCC’s petition."
February 20, 2025 from National Chicken Council:
"In light of the pressure the current highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI or “bird flu”) outbreak is putting on the nation’s egg supply, and resulting record egg prices, the National Chicken Council (NCC) today petitioned the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) to reverse or modify an Obama-era regulation that forces the broiler industry (chickens raised for meat) to discard perfectly nutritious and safe eggs.
"According to an NCC press release, due to fluctuating market conditions, broiler hatcheries in some instances have more eggs on hand than they want to hatch. These are known as “surplus” hatching eggs. Prior to 2009 when FDA implemented new rules, broiler producers were able to sell these surplus eggs to egg processors, known as “breakers,” to be pasteurized (cooked) and used in egg products.
"When eggs are delivered from a breeding farm to a broiler hatchery, they are stored in a room kept at 65°F before they are placed in incubators to be hatched. Research has shown this is the most ideal temperature to store these eggs prior to incubation – warmer temperatures would induce the incubation process too soon and colder temperatures comprise the viability of an eventual hatch. But the 2009 FDA rule, which was focused on the safety of “table eggs,” or the eggs you buy in your grocery store, stated that all eggs intended to be sent to breaking facilities for eventual pasteurization must be kept at 45°F within 36 hours after being laid.
"As a direct result of the 2009 FDA rule, broiler producers stopped selling surplus hatching eggs to egg breakers and instead are forced to render or throw these eggs away, often at an additional cost.
"More than 58 million birds have been culled since HPAI was first detected in 2022, with the majority of them being egg-laying chickens, contributing to price spikes and supply disruptions that put tremendous strain on the shell and egg products industries. The impact has already begun to trickle down and impose hardships on restaurants, food manufacturers and consumers.
Granting NCC’s request would release almost 400 million safe and nutritious surplus eggs into the egg breaking supply each year, helping to ease costs and inflationary pressures.
"The full petition can be read by clicking here."
March 20, 2025 from CPSC :
Bella Pro Series and Cooks Steam Espresso machines Hazard have been recalled because the brew cup handle can forcefully eject during use, shattering the glass carafe and posing a burn and laceration hazard.
Consumer Contact: Sensio toll-free at 855-647-3125 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or online at www.bellakitchenware.com and click on “Recalls” for more information.
This recall involves the Bella Pro Series Steam Espresso Maker, Model 90195 and Cooks Steam Espresso Makers, Model 22395. The recalled espresso machines are black with stainless steel trim and measure about six inches wide and 12 inches high. The machines have “Bella Pro Series” or “Cooks” on the steaming chamber and the model number is identified as the “Item” number on a sticker under the machine.
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled espresso machines and contact Sensio for a refund.
The firm has received 18 reports of the handles ejecting, eight of which reported burn and/or laceration injuries.
JCPenney stores nationwide and online at BestBuy.com and JCPenney.com from August 2023 through January 2025 for between $40 and $60.
March 13, 2025 from CPSC :
Gerolsteiner 750ml Sparkling Water Bottles have been recalled because the recalled water bottles can crack, causing a laceration hazard.
Consumer Contact: Gerolsteiner at 800-777-0633 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, email at customerservice@consup.us, or online at https://www.gerolsteiner.de/en/recall or at www.gerolsteiner.de/en/ and click on “Recalls” at the bottom of the page.
Description: This recall involves Gerolsteiner 750ml sparkling water bottles from two specific lots. The water was sold in large 750ml glass bottles or in cases containing 15 bottles. There is a white, blue and red label on the front of the bottle with the name “Gerolsteiner”. The lot number is located on the lower part of the label. Affected bottles have a lot number 11/28/2024 L or 11/27/2024 L.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled Gerolsteiner sparkling water bottles, and return the bottles from the affected lots to the store where they were purchased for a full refund. Consumers will not be asked for proof of purchase, but will need to return the recalled bottle to receive a refund (in the form of cash or credit).
Sold At: Trader Joe’s stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas from December 2024 through January 2025 for about $3 per bottle.
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