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.
April 17, 2024 - from the JNS:
Gemiluth Chessed of Greater New York (GCGNY) commissioned a study on the experience of food insecurity. "The study was conducted by Baltimore’s Jewish Nonprofit Planning and Research Institute (JNPRI),"
"Over a three month period beginning in January 2024, JNPRI surveyed 492 individuals who observe kosher at home and face food insecurity. Questions in English and Russian touched upon household demographics, eating and shopping habits, and the food support resources and organizations respondents find most helpful.
"Michelle Shain is JNPRI’s director of research and the study’s author. She says the goal was to highlight the different needs and experiences across New York City and in households with different social and demographic characteristics, and to use those demographic differences to understand where some of the challenges originate.
"She points to the following data acquired from the JNPRI study: there was no single type of chicken, meat or fish that was a staple protein for all respondents; more than half of participants relayed that they are unwilling to eat unfamiliar foods in order to save money, suggesting that when resources are scarce, other priorities get shortchanged; and finally, one third of respondents live with someone who has a dietary restriction, like lactose intolerance.
"Sixty-one percent of participants said they would feel more comfortable going to a food pantry or community kitchen if there were more foods that meet their preferences or dietary needs.
"Respondents value forms of food assistance that allow them to purchase foods that meet their individual preferences and dietary restrictions. Survey respondents were 66% more likely to say grocery gift cards were “essential” in ensuring that they have enough to eat every month than to say that food pantries were essential. These include the government’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which offers monthly debit cards and grocery gift cards.
"Another critical takeaway of the report was that time and mobility constraints prevent some from accessing both low-cost retail food as well as food banks and community kitchens. Whereas only half of those who are food insecure choose their primary grocery store because of pricing, the rest select stores based on their location’s accessibility, hours, and convenience — whether they are one-stop-shops, or delivery is offered, for example.
"About half of the respondents also maintain they’d be more comfortable visiting a food pantry or community kitchen if it had extended hours, shorter lines or were situated in more convenient and discrete locations.
"The OU’s Department of Community Projects and Partnerships is currently working on piloting different solutions based on the data, including kosher protein distribution and advocacy efforts to get more kosher protein from government programs.
"An OU-initiated partnership with GCGNY, Empire Chicken and City Harvest that was launched in December has enabled the ongoing distribution of 26,000 pounds of kosher chicken at a subsidized cost to New Yorkers struggling to afford kosher meat."
April 10, 2024 - from the Food Safety News:
"The FDA has released a report on an investigation into imported honey and the intentional adulteration of it for economic gains.
"The report from the Food and Drug Administration includes information on 107 samples from 25 countries. The FDA collected the samples in import status, which refers to products collected at ports of entry or other locations where they are held prior to being released into domestic commerce.
"The agency tested retail and bulk samples in 2022 and 2023. Retail samples consisted of individual jars or other containers. Bulk shipment samples were collected typically from barrels or drums. All of the samples were labeled as being 'honey.'
"The FDA conducted a similar sampling and testing program in 2021 and 2022. Those tests showed 14 percent of samples were intentionally adulterated.
"Adulteration of honey generally involves the addition of undeclared sweeteners that are less expensive than honey, such as syrups derived from cane, corn, rice, or sugar beets. Such adulteration artificially increases the value of the honey by increasing its weight and can cause problems for people with food allergies.
"'Of the 107 import samples collected and tested, the FDA found 3 import samples, 3 percent, to be violative. While the number of violative samples represents a slight decrease from the 2021-2022 imported honey assignment, the two assignments were not designed for statistical comparison,' according to the FDA’s report.
"Honey from the Dominican Republic, Mexico and Yemen were found to be adulterated."
The FDA report is here
April 6, 2023 - from the MedPage Today:
"The federal program that helps pay for groceries for millions of low-income mothers, babies, and young kids will soon emphasize more fruits, vegetables, and whole grainsopens in a new tab or window, as well as provide a wider choice of foods from different cultures.
"The final rule changes for the program known as the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) were announced Tuesday by the Food and Nutrition Service, and will take effect within 2 years with some exceptions.
'Last updated a decade ago, the new WIC rules make permanent a bump in monthly cash vouchers for fruits and vegetables -- something first enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Shoppers can also add canned fish, fresh herbs, and lactose-free milk to their carts, among other changes. The voucher piece will take effect by June, officials said.
"he WIC program served an average of about 6.6 million low-income Americans a month in 2023 at a cost of a little more than $7 billion. It's designed to supplement the food budgets for pregnant, nursing, and postpartum women, as well as to feed babies and young kids up to age 5. That's done by providing vouchers to mothers and children who qualify and specifically listing the amount and types of food they can buy.
"Under the new rules, fruits and vegetable vouchers in 2024 will provide $26 per month for kids ages 1 through 4; $47 per month for pregnant and postpartum women; and $52 for breastfeeding women. The changes also expand access to whole grains like quinoa, wild rice, and millet and to foods such as teff and whole wheat naan. They also remove or reduce monthly allowances for juice and cut back on allowances for milk.
"The plan failed to include a change requested by top allergists in the U.S. that would have added peanut products to foods allowed for babies ages 6 months to 11 months to help prevent peanut allergies.
April 6, 2023 - from the Jewish Press:
"The Biden Administration is working on a plan to reverse a policy enacted in 2020 under then-President Donald Trump that requires goods produced by Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria as “Made in Israel.”
"The move comes as Israel is fighting for its survival in a multi-front war launched by Iranian proxies in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Yemen.
"According to a report by the Financial Times, the Biden Administration would remove the “Made in Israel” label from such goods.
"US officials told the news outlet that a green light on the policy — and its timing — has not yet been approved.
"Prior to 2020, the United States had maintained the discriminatory policy, along with the European Union which continues it to this day.
"Removing the “Made in Israel” label from goods made in Israeli communities located in Judea and Samaria would further facilitate boycotts against the products by anti-Israel groups, fueled by the international Boycott, Divest and Sanctions (BDS) economic war on Israel."
April 3, 2023 - from the Baltimore Jewish Life:
"One of Baltimore's kosher Dunkin' Donuts at 1508 Reisterstown Road (Old Court) is closing after Erev Pesach. BJL has learned that the owner has stated that he has plans to open another kosher location in the future. Exact time and place TBD."
April 5, 2024 from the CPSC :
Name of Product: Tide Pods, Gain Flings, Ace Pods and Ariel Pods liquid laundry detergent packets packaged in flexible film bags. This recall announcement applies only to bags distributed in the United States.
Hazard: The outer packaging meant to prevent access to the contents can split open near the zipper track, posing a risk of serious injury to children and other vulnerable populations if the contents of the laundry detergent packets are ingested, as well as posing a risk of skin or eye injuries. Ingestion of a large quantity of any surfactant-containing household cleaning products can cause death among individuals with underlying health issues.
Consumer Contact: Procter & Gamble toll-free at 833-347-5764 from Monday through Friday, 9 AM ET to 6 PM ET, Saturday, 9 AM ET to 5:30 PM ET, or online at pg.com/bags.
Description: This recall involves certain lot codes of Tide Pods, Gain Flings, Ace Pods, and Ariel Pods liquid laundry detergent packets packaged in flexible film bags that were manufactured between September 2023 and February 2024. Recalled products range from bags with 12 to 39 laundry detergent packets and include the following:
| Gain Flings Original | Tide Simply Pods Plus Oxi Boost |
| Gain Flings Moonlight Breeze Scent | Tide Pods Clean Breeze Scent |
| Gain Flings Blissful Breeze Scent | Tide Pods Free & Gentle |
| Gain Flings Spring Daydream Scent | Tide Pods Oxi |
| Gain Flings Plus Ultra Oxi | Tide Pods Ultra Oxi |
| Gain Flings Plus Odor Defense | Ace Pods Clean Breeze |
| Tide Pods Original | Ace Pods Spring Meadow |
| Tide Pods Spring Meadow Scent | Ariel Pods Alpine Breeze |
| Tide Pods Light |
Remedy: Consumers should immediately secure the recalled bags out of sight and reach of children and contact Procter & Gamble for a full refund and a free replacement child-resistant bag to store the product. Consumers can also receive a cabinet lock for securing laundry materials.
Consumers should check to see if their bag is part of the recall by checking the lot code on their bag. Recalled lot codes will be listed at pg.com/bags and are found on the bottom of the package. Consumers with recalled bags can submit a photo of the recalled product, showing the lot code to participate in the recall.
Sold At: Big Lots, CVS, Family Dollar, Home Depot, Sam’s Club, Target, Walmart, and other major stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com and other websites from September 2023 through present for between $5 (one 12 ct. bag) and $30 (four 39 ct. bags in a box).
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 3, 2024 from the NPR:
"Cal-Maine Foods, Inc., the largest producer of fresh eggs in the U.S., has temporarily halted production at one of its facilities in Texas after detecting bird flu there, the company announced Tuesday.
"The company says it "depopulated" about 1.6 million laying hens and 337,000 pullets, or about 3.6% of its flock, as a result of the outbreak.
"Bird flu - also known as highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI — is a highly contagious virus typically spread by wild birds that is extremely deadly to avian populations. Human infections are rare.
"Commercial farms sometimes euthanize part of their flock during bird flu outbreaks to limit the spread of the disease, according to the Environmental Protection Agency."
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.
| Model | UPC |
|---|---|
| HGS011F | 0 50875 82840 7 |
| HGS011S | 0 50875 82839 1 |
| HGS011 | 0 50875 82838 4 |
| HGS011T | 0 50875 00272 2 |
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.
April 4, 2024 from the CPSC :
Mainstays Electric Mini Choppers have been recalled because the chopper’s blade can operate unexpectedly during assembly or when not enclosed in the container, posing a laceration hazard to consumers.
Consumer Contact: Walmart at 800-925-6278 from 7 a.m. through 9 p.m. CT any day, or online at https://corporate.walmart.com/recalls or https://corporate.walmart.com/ and click on "Recalls" at the bottom of the page for more information.
Description: This recall involves Mainstays Electric Mini Choppers with model number MS14100094536S1. The choppers are rechargeable and cordless, and have a green lid, white body, and clear plastic bowl. They have one blade attachment, which consists of three curved blades on one white plastic spindle. Model number MS14100094536S1 is on the label attached to the bottom of the clear plastic bowl.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled choppers, and contact Walmart to receive a full refund. Consumers can bring the chopper to their nearest Walmart store for a refund.
Incidents/Injuries: Walmart has received five reports of lacerations, two of which required medical attention, including stitches. Injuries occurred during assembly of the product or during cleaning/handling of the product.
Sold Exclusively At: Walmart stores nationwide and online at Walmart.com from August 2022 through October 2023 for between $10 and $15.
| The information posted is from secondary sources. We cannot take responsibility for the accuracy of the information. |
| Comments to webmaster@kashrut.com
© Copyright 2024 Scharf Associates |
|
|||||||||||