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.
February 20, 2025 from CPSC :
Rebecca’s Toys & Prizes Bowling Pin Sipper Cups have been recaled because the red tape on the bowling pin sipper cups contains levels of lead that exceed the federal lead content ban. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health issues.
Consumer Contact: Nazzaro toll-free at 800-777-2235 from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, email at service@rebeccas.com, or online at https://www.rebeccas.com/recall.html or www.rebeccas.com and click “Recall” at the bottom of the page for more information.
Description: This recall involves Rebecca’s Toys & Prizes bowling pin sipper cups. The cups are white with red tape on the neck and a red plastic cap. The words “ITEM NO. PG1045”, the brand name and the firm’s address are printed on a white label located on the side of the sipper cup.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled cups away from children and stop using them. Contact Nazzaro for a full refund. Nazzaro is contacting all known purchasers directly.
Sold At: Bowling alleys nationwide from January 2018 through July 2019 for about $5.
February 20, 2025 from CPSC :
Uomeod Mini Steamers have been recalled because they pose a risk of burn injury from hot water.
Hazard: They pose a risk of burn injury from hot water.
Consumer Action: CPSC urges consumers immediately to stop using the Uomeod Mini Steamers, cut the cord and dispose of the products. Do not sell or give away these hazardous steamers.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is warning consumers immediately to stop using Uomeod Mini Steamers because they pose a risk of burn injury from hot water. CPSC has received 49 reports of hot water ejecting, spilling or leaking from the steamers, resulting in nine burn injuries, including one second-degree burn from hot water splashing onto a consumer’s thigh in November 2023.
Uomeod and Dongguan Esino Manufacturing Service have not agreed to offer an acceptable recall remedy to consumers.
The Uomeod steamers heat water and release steam through the product’s nozzle to press textiles such as clothing, drapery and upholstery. CPSC’s evaluation found that the Uomeod Mini Steamers can eject hot water from the nozzle when overfilled. The product instructions and warnings do not inform users how to avoid hot water ejections and do not adequately inform consumers of the burn hazard.
The Uomeod Mini Steamers are manufactured by Dongguan Esino Manufacturing Service Co. Ltd., of China, and sold online at Amazon.com by Uomeod-LZ001, of China. The steamers were sold in rose gold (pink), white and black. “Uomeod” is printed on the side of the product beneath the water reservoir window. “Uomeod,” “Mini Steamer,” and “Model: ZL-001” are printed on a label on the bottom of the product. The steamers were sold online on Amazon.com for between $14 and $31 from December 2019 through July 2024.
CPSC urges consumers immediately to stop using the Uomeod Mini Steamers, cut the cord and dispose of the products. Do not sell or give away these hazardous steamers.
February 13, 2025 from CPSC :
Spritz Taper Resin Hanukkah Dino Menorahs have been recazlled because the recalled resin menorahs can burn or catch fire when holding lit candles, posing a fire hazard.
Consumer Contact: Target toll-free at 800-440-0680 from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. CT Monday through Sunday for in-store purchases, or toll-free at 800-591-3869 from 6 a.m. to 12 a.m. CT Monday through Sunday for digital purchases, or online at https://help.target.com/help/recalls or https://www.target.com/ and click on “Recalls” on the bottom of the page for more information.
This recall involves the Spritz Taper Resin Hanukkah Dino Menorah. The menorahs are blue, made of polymer resin and measure 6 inches high x 13 inches long. They can hold up to nine tapered candles in the metal candle cups located on the dinosaur’s back. The model number “240-14-1380” is printed on the product’s hang tag located on the dinosaur’s neck.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled menorahs and return them to any Target store for a full refund in the form of a Target gift card or refund in the original form of payment. Consumers may also contact Target to receive a prepaid return label to return the menorah by mail.
Incidents/Injuries: Target has received 58 reports of the menorahs scorching, charring, melting or catching on fire. No injuries have been reported.
Sold At: Target stores nationwide and online at Target.com from October 2024 through January 2025 for about $15.
Februay 6, 2025 from Jerusalem Post:
"The European Commission approved the marketing of ultraviolet-treated mealworm powder, derived from the larvae of Tenebrio molitor, as a novel food within the European Union. The decision, reported by ANSA, classifies the powder as a novel food under EU regulations, allowing its incorporation into a variety of products, including bread, cheese, pasta, and jams.
"The authorization will come into effect 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. This means that products containing the UV-treated mealworm powder could soon appear on store shelves across EU member states. The mealworm powder will be incorporated into foods intended for general consumption, including bread, biscuits, cakes, cheese, processed potato-based products, and pasta.
"Product labeling will play a role in the new market development. According to Libero Quotidiano, labels must clearly state that the products contain ultraviolet-treated mealworm larvae and may cause allergic reactions, particularly for individuals allergic to shellfish and mites. This measure ensures consumers are fully informed and can make conscious choices about the foods they consume.
"The inclusion of the mealworm powder is part of the EU's initiative to introduce novel foods as alternative protein sources. Since 2021, the European Commission authorized four insects as novel foods in the EU market, considering them an "alternative source of protein." These insects include the migratory locust, the house cricket, and the lesser mealworm.
"The mealworm powder is obtained from dehydrated and ground larvae of the beetle Tenebrio molitor, which is often found in pantries containing cereal-based products. The ultraviolet radiation process is used to disinfect the powder and increase its vitamin D content, enhancing its nutritional value."
Februay 10, 2025 from Israel National News:
"A company trying to import kosher for Passover pizzas from abroad was met with an unexpected demand by the Israeli Chief Rabbinate.
"The Chief Rabbinate's Rabbi Avi Kozman updated the company with the news that in order to receive kosher certification, there needs to be a "mountain of cheese" in the center of the pizza, Ynet reported.
"The Rabbinate explained that this would differentiate the kosher for Passover pizza from regular pizza eaten year-round.
"The Rabbinate explained that this would differentiate the kosher for Passover pizza from regular pizza eaten year-round.
"The Rabbinate also said that the pizza's appearance must be changed from round to square or rectangular. In a letter sent to the importer, the Chief Rabbinate demanded: 'In the center of the pizza, there must be double the amount of cheese, so that it creates a shape resembling a mountain.'
"The importer attempted to explain that such demands are impossible to meet, since the pizza is packaged in a carton, and that additional cheese would raise the cost for the importer by 15%, estimated to equal 8-10% of the price of the product in Israel.
"'Why does the Chief Rabbinate demand changing the shape of the pizza, if the package clearly states, "Kosher for Passover under the supervision of the Chief Rabbinate," both on the front and on the side of the package?' the importer queried."
February 5, 2025 - from Baltimore Jewish Life:
"Fresko Green Label is here. No longer do you have to subsist on pretzels and candy marked with a reliable kosher symbol.
"The estimated 1.5 million kosher travelers who fly domestically and internationally from JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark airports annually can now avail themselves of a large variety of kosher prepared food options packaged under the Fresko and Yummy Sandwich labels under STAR-K Kosher supervision.
All breads are Pas Yisroel.
All dairy items are Cholov Yisroel.
All items must bear the STAR-K symbol.
"Menu items can be found Sunday through Friday at concessions in New York-area airports at these locations:
February 6, 2025 from CPSC :
Slide-In and Freestanding Electric Ranges have been recalled because front-mounted knobs on the recalled ranges can be activated by accidental contact by humans or pets, posing a fire hazard.
Consumer Contact: LG at 800-399-3265 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, email at lgrange.recall@lge.com, or at https://lgecares.com/rangerecall and enter your information to request a free warning sticker, instructions on where to place the sticker, and how to use the Control Lock or Lock Out feature on their range.
Description: This recall involves LG Slide-In Ranges, and Freestanding Ranges with front-mounted knobs. The following model and serial numbers are included in this recall. The model number is located on the ranges inside the oven door or storage drawer located on the bottom of the oven. The ranges were manufactured in Mexico and Korea.
A full list of recalled products is here
Consumers should contact LG for a free warning label and placement instructions. The label reminds consumers to use the Lock Out/Control Lock function on the range control panel to disable activation of the heating elements when the range is not in use.
View the LG instructional video regarding Control Lock/Lock Out feature at https://vimeo.com/1037322282.
Consumers are cautioned to keep children and pets away from the knobs, to check the range knobs to ensure they are off before leaving home or going to bed, and not to leave objects on the range when the range is not in use.
Incidents/Injuries: CPSC has received at least 86 reports of unintentional activation of the front-mounted knobs. These LG ranges have been involved in more than 28 fires. At least five fires caused extensive property damage totaling over $340,000. At least eight minor injuries have been reported, including burns, and there have been reports of three fires involving pet deaths.
Sold At: Best Buy, Costco, The Home Depot, Lowe’s, and other appliance stores nationwide and online at LG.com. Depending upon the model, the ranges were sold from 2015 through January 2025 for between $1,400 and $2,650.
January 30, 2025 from CPSC :
Greater Goods Digital Kitchen Scales have been recalled because the recalled digital kitchen scales violate the mandatory federal regulations for consumer products containing button cell or coin batteries, because the scale has a lithium coin battery that can be easily accessed by children, and a spare coin battery provided with the product not in child resistant packaging, as required by Reese’s Law. These violations pose an ingestion hazard. The recalled scales also do not have the required warnings. When button cell or coin batteries are swallowed, the ingested batteries can cause serious injuries, internal chemical burns, and death.
Consumer Contact: Greater Goods toll-free at 866-991-0397 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, email at recall@greatergoods.com, or online at www.greatergoods.com and click the recall banner at the top of the page or https://shop.greatergoods.com/pages/replaceyourbatterydoor for more information.
This recall involves Greater Goods Digital Kitchen Scales, models: 0480, 0455, 0456, 0458, 0473, 0479, 0481, 0747, 0748, 0749, 0751, 0752, 0754.
They are labeled with a sticker with the brand and model printed on the back and come in gray, black, blue, green, pink, red, silver and white colors. The Greater Goods logo is located on the top of the front panel of the scale. The scales come with a lithium CR3032 coin battery pre-installed and a spare CR3032 battery in the packaging.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately remove the battery in the digital kitchen scale and place it in an area that children cannot access. Contact Greater Goods for information on how to receive a free recall kit, which includes a new replacement battery door that can be secured to the scale, the required labeling, and an updated instruction manual. Greater Goods, Amazon and Walmart are contacting all known purchasers directly.
Note: Button cell and coin batteries are hazardous. Batteries should be disposed of or recycled by following local hazardous waste procedures.
Sold At: Online at Amazon, Walmart and Greater Goods from May 2023 through September 2024 for about $10.
January 28, 2025 - from Euronews:
"Coca-Cola’s European bottling unit has ordered a major recall in three countries after finding a high level of a thyroid-disrupting chemical in some soft drinks.
"The recall applies to Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands, though limited quantities of the drinks were also sent to other countries, according to Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, which handles bottling and distribution in Europe, Australia, and parts of Asia.
"The affected products – reportedly including Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Tropico, and Minute Maid brands – contain a higher level of chlorate, which originates from chlorine disinfectants widely used in food processing and water treatment.
"High levels of chlorate in food and drinking water can pose health risks by interfering with the thyroid’s iodine intake, temporarily changing thyroid hormone levels.
January 28, 2025 - from Vinnews:
"A new “war” was declared this week against the residents of Gaza, according to a Gaza-based journalist named Hamza al-Masri. This time, it is not a military conflict, but rather a 'war' over 'chicken meat' that arrived from the markets of Israel. Al-Masri posted a picture of poultry with the caption 'treif (non-kosher) birds,' claiming that they are unfit for human consumption.
"Al-Masri’s claim that 'treif birds' are unfit for human consumption is simply incorrect. The term “treif” is a Jewish legal term referring to animals that were slaughtered improperly or died of other causes, which is why they are not eaten by Jews. However, for the residents of Gaza, who are not Jewish, there is no prohibition against consuming these birds.
"It seems that the Gazan journalist, in his haste to blame Israel for all evil, has confused Jewish dietary laws with general nutritional regulations. Perhaps he should study a bit of Jewish law before declaring a “new war” over it."
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