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.
June 6, 2024 from the `Washington Post:
"The results of a new study challenge the popular understanding of sugar alcohols such as xylitol and erythritol as healthy, natural sugar alternatives.
"The popular sugar substitute xylitol, commonly used by those wanting to lose weight or who are diabetic, is associated with an increased risk of a cardiovascular event such as a heart attack and stroke, according to a study published in the European Heart Journal" on June 6, 2024.
"In another study, researchers tested blood-clotting susceptibility by collecting blood from 10 healthy volunteers before and 30 minutes after drinking a xylitol-sweetened drink. Ten other volunteers were given a glucose- or sugar-sweetened drink. Researchers found that those who drank the xylitol beverage showed a marked increase in clotting ability of their blood right after they ingested it. No change in blood clotting ability was found in subjects who had ingested the glucose.
"The same research team found a similar link between erythritol and cardiovascular risk last year.
"The findings come as use of sugar alcohols such as xylitol is trending upward, as keto and low-carb diet trends are generating growth in alternative sweeteners billed as “natural.” Some $1.19 billion in xylitol products were sold in 2021, and that market is expected to grow to about $1.48 billion by 2030, according to the research firm Custom Market Insights.
"The results challenge the popular understanding of sugar alcohols such as xylitol and erythritol as healthy, natural sugar alternatives. People view them as natural because our bodies produce them as part of our energy metabolism; however, our cells produce them at much lower levels. When these sugar alcohols are manufactured, they are industrially prepared, using bacteria or yeast that’s put through brewing and fermentation processes to create a chemical that tricks our taste buds
"Researchers also found that an elevated xylitol level may be worse for your heart than cholesterol. By eating a high-cholesterol diet, we might increase our blood cholesterol levels by 10 to 30 percent, Hazen said. By eating a product high in xylitol, researchers found, the chemical levels in the blood went up 1,000-fold — or 100,000 percent — and remained elevated for four to six hours."
June 5, 2024 from the Food Safety News:
"A new study by Consumer Reports has found alarming levels of lead in some vegetable puffs marketed for small children.
"The consumer advocacy group tested two puffs: cassava made by Lesser Evil and Serenity Kids and sorghum puffs from Once Upon a Farm.
"Certain foods are more likely to have dangerous lead levels than others. For example, cassava and other root vegetables, including sweet potatoes, carrots, and beets, can be troublesome because lead occurs naturally in soil and can accumulate in a plant’s roots, said Angelia Seyfferth from the Department of Plants and Sciences at the University of Delaware.
"Also, processing cassava into flour for crackers, chips, or other snack foods can concentrate the lead more robustly than eating fresh vegetables.
"Consumer Reports was alerted to concerns about lead in cassava by Tamara Rubin, the owner of Lead Safe Mama. She focuses on preventing lead poisoning and helping parents identify possible sources of lead exposure."
June 4, 2024 from Vinnews.com:
"A passenger who was waiting to board a flight from George to Israel on Sun D’Or Airlines, a low-cost subsidiary of El Al owned fully by the parent company, was astonished to receive a sandwich containing chicken and cheese. The incident occurred on Sunday at Georgia’s Alexander Kartveli Batumi International Airport.
"El Al said that it is investigating the matter.
"The flight to Israel was delayed and local crews from the Sun D’Or company gave out sandwiches to passengers waiting for the plane. One passenger noticed that he had been given chicken with cheese in the same sandwich.
"El Al responded, stating that 'Due to a flight delay, local crews from Batumi initiated the distribution of food and drink during the wait at the airport. Unfortunately due to human error, passengers from LY5104 received non-kosher sandwiches while waiting on the ground.We stress that the incident did not occur on the plane and all food served on El Al flights is kosher. We apologize to travelers and will work to sharpen our regulations in order to prevent such events from recurring.'"
May 28, 2024 from Kof-K:
Breyer's Lactose Free Plus Chocolate Animal-Free Frozen Dairy Dessert bears a Kof-K DE and a notice that it contains milk protein.
"Breyers partnered with Perfect Day to use their animal-free whey protein in their lactose-free ice cream. Perfect Day uses precision fermentation to create a highly functional whey protein that offers the same taste and texture as traditional whey protein but with a reduced environmental footprint. This innovation allows Breyers to maintain its signature creamy taste while catering to lactose intolerant consumers and reducing environmental impact .
"In light of the fact that they were able to copy of the Characteristics of whey so precisely it is unknown if the “imitation whey” will cause the same allergic reaction hence they adds the milk allergen warning. The non-animal whey protein is actually certified as Parve. The Breyers ND IC is certified as DE as it’s pasteurized on the same line as the dairy ice cream (after a CIP)
"Perfect Day's culture is STAR-K Pareve. It loses that status at intermediate or final stage plants (under different hechsherim) which propagate it on equipment shared with dairy."
Ed. note: Other information is on Food Business News, Perfect Day and PR Newswire.
May 30, 2024 from the CPSC :
ADIOS! Super Vinegar All Natural Cleaner, 30% have been recalled because the recalled cleaning product violates the Federal Hazardous Substances Act because it is deceptively labeled as “Safe to Use” and lacks the required cautionary statements for a poison, posing a risk of poisoning and chemical burns to consumers.
Consumer Contact: Compare Brands toll-free at 888-912-4622 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, email at support@comparebrands.net, or online at https://comparebrands.net/pages/product-recalls or https://comparebrands.net/ and click “Recall” at the top of the page for more information.
Description: This recall involves the ADIOS! Super Vinegar All Natural Cleaner, 30%. The cleaner’s bottles are labeled on the front with: “ADIOS! SUPER VINEGAR ALL NATURAL CLEANER. 30% Concentrate Indoor & Outdoor use”. There is a label on the back with: “Say ADIOS to industrial cleaners with the natural power of vinegar” along with safety information and instructions. The product was sold in a 16 oz. white bottle with a blue cap.
Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled cleaner immediately and contact Compare Brands for information on how to obtain a free corrected label to put on the cleaner bottle. Compare Brands and Amazon are contacting all known purchasers directly.
May 23, 2024 - from the Frumnews.com:
"Two suspects who have been placing skimming devices on payment terminals at stores across Brooklyn were arrested on Wednesday following intervention from Williamsburg Shomrim.
"homrim tells YWN that they received a call from a Flushing Avenue supermarket owner who discovered a suspicious device attached to his payment terminal. The device, known as a “skimmer,” is used to record credit, debit, or EBT card numbers and was disguised to look like part of the terminal.
"Shomrim members identified the suspects through surveillance footage and tracked their car to the Pulaski Bridge, where they were arrested by NYPD officers at around 3:30 p.m.
"This is the latest in a series of EBT fraud incidents in Brooklyn, with two suspects identified in Williamsburg earlier this month and another pair arrested in Flatbush on Tuesday. In light of the recent attempts to steal credit card information, the NYPD has advised shoppers to be vigilant and to gently tug at privacy guards on payment terminals, as fake ones can be easily removed."
May 26, 2024 - from the JNS:
"Key kosher food industry stakeholders met on Wednesday with officials from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in an effort to unwind bureaucratic restrictions on procuring food for emergency pantries and school lunch programs.
"As part of the USDA’s Jewish American Heritage Month celebrations, the 'Kosher Supply Chain and Food Insecurity Dialogue' event at the USDA’s Washington, D.C., headquarters featured panel discussions on improving the coordination between the kosher industry and the Biden administration. The event comes as this year’s annual farm bill goes through revisions ahead of a vote in the House of Representatives.
"The USDA program takes food that the government purchases from farmers for purposes of market stabilization and distributes it to soup kitchens and pantries.
"The “equity doctrine” currently in place provides for a balance of available foods—produce, eggs, meat, fish, etc.—to be provided to participating TEFAP organizations.
There is a "lack of available kosher food in TEFAP to begin with. Until recently, only two kosher items in the program were required to be kosher, according to the bidding process. Now, there are eight. Much of the challenge stems from the higher cost of kosher products compared with their non-kosher counterparts.
"For some of the smaller kosher emergency food providers, that means that they might not be able to place a required minimum order, meaning they get nothing at all from the USDA program.
"Another key program discussed at the event was the availability of kosher foods in school lunch programs. Jewish schools often find themselves also having difficulty procuring kosher items.
"Almost every yeshiva in New York City and many yeshivas in New Jersey provide the lunch program.
"A piece of chicken that’s kosher is a lot more than a non-kosher piece of chicken, or bacon for that matter,” he said, pointing to other staples, such as milk, which are required to be provided.
"Another inherent numbers challenge is the small size of many of the participating yeshivas, who don’t have the ability to purchase in bulk and enjoy a discounted price on food, making enrollment in the lunch program—with all of its time-consuming bureaucratic burdens—often not worth the effort.
"Schnall said he’s pushing for a so-called carve-out similar to what was introduced in this year’s farm bill in the Senate for TEFAP, which would provide an additional $8 million for kosher pantries to be able to buy kosher foods.
"Schnall also noted a major issue with the “commodities” component of the school lunch program, wherein schools receive on a per-student basis around 30-40 cents to purchase staple foods through the government. Again, the selection of kosher products is often miniscule.
"On top of that, many of the yeshivas often have more restrictions on the hechsher, or type of rabbinical certification, that is acceptable within their community.
"Even basics such as kosher tuna and American cheese are difficult to come by in the USDA’s available basket.
The Biden administration, he continued, 'Surprisingly actually feels very motivated to get something done. Government always take time. That’s the nature of the beast.'
"Part of the challenge is keeping the issue “on the front burner,” making last week’s USDA-hosted event, including the presence of “movers and shakers” more “impactful” for the effort, he said.
"While Rapaport concedes that 'there was no resolution that tomorrow, this is going to happen,' coming out of last week’s event, 'there’s definitely a lot of optimism of willingness to move forward.'"
May 21, 2024 from the The Fish Site::
"Cell-based seafood maker Wanda Fish has unveiled its first cultivated bluefin tuna toro sashimi.
"According to the Israeli startup, the creation of this prototype aims to addresses the burgeoning demand for bluefin tuna via a pollution-free, quality-consistent and sustainable supply of the premium fish.
"The raw toro specialty is composed of the underbelly of the fish. It has the highest fat content, with especially high omega-3 levels. According to the company, this gives it a unique buttery sensation, making it the most tender and desired meat of the fish.
"Wanda Fish says that its cell-cultivated 3D fillet combines the cellular mass of muscle and fat created from the bluefin tuna’s own cells, developed together with a plant-based matrix. The company enlisted skilled chefs to bring its sashimi to culinary perfection.
"Wanda Fish’s patent-pending technology to induce native fat formation in bluefin tuna cells and a whole-cut downstream manufacturing process employs a rapid, low-cost, and readily scalable production method. The fat endows the cultivated fish whole cut with not only its velvety texture but also its unique, rich flavour and essential nutrients, including omega-3s.
"The startup will first introduce its tuna in the high-end food service sector, with a focus on Japanese cuisine, where sushi and sashimi are traditional features. "
May 16, 2024 from the Herman Family:
"It was fifty years ago that our father, R' Yoseph Herman, initiated Project Chodosh. It started with very limited information, printed on one page and distributed to a handful of people. Over the past yovel, the scope of the Guide gradually broadened, as thousands of products were added, and information was disseminated around the world. For reasons beyond our control, we are bringing the project to a close. Next chodosh season will not have R' Yoseph Herman's active involvement, but his legacy will live on with all those who continue keeping the mitzva. We ask all those who were affected by our father, whether directly or indirectly, to have him and our mother in mind for their zchus, ר. יוסף בן יהושע and קריסעל קריינדל עטרה בת שרגא צבי.
"We have received the assurances of several kashrus organizations that they will make chodosh and yoshon information available to the public this coming season."
Ed. note: Kashrut.com posts yoshon on www.kashrut.com/Alerts and compiles it on www.kashrut.com/consumer/baked_goods/#PasYisroelYashonProductLists
May 16, 2024 from the CPSC in cnjunction with Government of Canada::
Frigidaire and Kenmore Smooth-top Freestanding Electric Ranges
Hazard: Depending on the model, the surface heating elements can: 1) turn on spontaneously without being switched on; 2) fail to turn off after being switched off; or 3) heat to different temperatures than selected. This poses fire and burn hazards to consumers.
Consumer Contact: Electrolux Group toll-free at 888-845-8226 from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, by email at potentiometerrecall@electrolux.com or online at https://www.ema-recall.com/potentiometer or www.potentiometerrecall.com or www.frigidaire.com and click on “Recall Information” at the top of the page for more information.
Description: This recall reannouncement involves Frigidaire, Frigidaire Gallery, Frigidaire Professional, and Kenmore Elite smooth-top electric ranges. The smooth-top electric ranges have rear panel rotary knobs and digital displays. They were sold in the following colors: white, bisque, black and stainless steel. The brand name, model, and serial number for each unit are located on the frame of the drawer at the bottom of the unit when the drawer is opened.
Models and serial numbers are included in the recall is here
Remedy: Contact Electrolux or register online to participate in the recall. Based on the serial number, it will be determined if consumers have a range that can be repaired or not.
Consumers with impacted ranges should contact Electrolux for steps to avoid a burn injury, including not leaving anything on the range when it is not in use. If the range is repairable, a free inspection and repair will be scheduled. If the range is not repairable, consumers will receive a refund in the form of a $50 electronic gift card and reimbursement of up to $60 for the haul-away fee for their recalled range, once they have submitted proof of purchase of a new range and the haul-away fee paid. Electrolux may reimburse haul-away fees over $60 when consumers provide receipts or other documentation showing paid haul-away fees.
Incidents/Injuries: Since the recall was announced in August 2009, Electrolux has received at least 212 reports of the ranges behaving erratically, including 14 reports of fires and eight reports of injuries involving burns to hands or arms, as well as smoke inhalation.
Sold At: Sears and independent appliance stores nationwide from June 2001 through August 2009 for between $1,000 and $2,500.
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