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.
December 13, 2023 - from the Vinnews:
"The rapid spread of avian influenza is creating production complications for some of the nation’s biggest food companies.
"For now, an unexpected nosedive in consumer demand for eggs has kept prices low. Wholesale prices for cartoned eggs moved lower the week of Dec. 8, with the USDA noting consumer demand in the immediate, post-Thanksgiving marketing period declined more sharply than either of the two most recent years."
December 11, 2023 - from the Vinnews:
"The warnings issued by supermarket chains are now becoming a reality as Eyal Ravid, owner of the Victory chain, predicts an impending shortage of vegetables, particularly tomatoes.
"This shortage is primarily due to a lack of skilled workers available for harvesting and sowing crops for the next season. Ravid expressed his frustration, stating that his vegetable manager is desperately searching for tomatoes in vain, as they are nowhere to be found in the market. The scarcity extends to other produce such as zucchini and cucumbers, leaving the entire country dependent on vegetable imports from Turkey.
"In an attempt to address the crisis, Ravid penned a letter to Economy Minister Nir Barkat, pleading for assistance on behalf of farmers who are struggling to keep Israeli agriculture alive. Ravid emphasized the urgency of the situation, as he warned that without immediate action, Israeli produce will be scarce in the coming months. He stressed the need to initiate a national seeding operation without delay.
"The Agriculture Ministry has been under scrutiny by farmers who feel abandoned in dealing with the shortage of foreign workers, such as those from Thailand. Farmers like Yigal Ben Mukha, owner of the "Tomato" brand, express frustration at the lack of assistance from the ministry in handling the return of foreign workers. The bureaucratic process involved in their return, which includes coordination between the Interior, Labor, and Agriculture Ministries, has been neglected. Farmers feel ignored and abandoned by the government, only receiving attention during times of conflict and emergency situations.
"Ravid proceeded to highlight the importance of addressing the labor shortage promptly. He estimated that 500 workers are needed urgently for a thirty-day period to manage the current crisis effectively. He insisted that even if the price of tomatoes needs to be increased to secure supply, he is willing to pay, as the alternative is relying solely on imports.
"The Agriculture Ministry responded to the criticism, acknowledging the labor shortage of approximately 30,000 workers since the start of the conflict. They stated that the ministry is actively working with the Population and Immigration Authority and the Foreign Ministry to establish bilateral agreements with other countries. An agreement with Sri Lanka has already been signed to bring in workers immediately.
"Additionally, the government has approved the entry of 5,000 foreign workers in agriculture through a private recruitment agency."
"he ministry assured that they are also committed to supporting the recruitment of Israeli workers in agriculture by offering incentives of between NIS 3,000 and NIS 8,000 per employee for three months. They encourage farmers to explore alternative areas within the country for sowing and planting. Furthermore, the ministry is working alongside the Ministry of Finance to reduce production costs and provide dedicated budgets to rehabilitate agriculture in affected regions.
"It is crucial for the government to prioritize the agricultural sector and initiate immediate measures to alleviate the labor shortage. By supporting local farmers and ensuring a robust workforce, Israel can maintain its self-sufficiency in agriculture and prevent heavy reliance on imports."
December 13, 2023 - from the Vinnews:
" NYS Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law a new bill sponsored by Senator Jessica Ramos and Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein, which will require state correctional facilities to provide kosher and halal food options at vending machines and commissary areas.
"Until now, food options for purchase at vending machines and commissary areas often did not include selections for incarcerated individuals who require special religious dietary restrictions. This new bill will amend the current law to include options which would satisfy the dietary needs of such individuals at prices comparable to other similar food items."
November 24, 2023 - from the The Conversation:
"Why chicken really shouldn’t be washed: Traces of feathers, slime or dirt might have necessitated washing chicken half a century ago. But nowadays, poultry is pre-washed and ready to cook when you buy it.
"Still, some people seem to think you should wash your chicken in order to remove the dangerous microorganisms raw meat contains. While it’s true chicken does contain harmful microorganisms, washing prior to cooking doesn’t remove them.
"Chicken in particular naturally carries Salmonella and Campylobacter. These can cause very severe illness, with infections causing symptoms such as fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and possibly even septicaemia (blood infection).
"Children, elderly people, pregnant women and those with other health conditions or poor immune systems are most at risk of illness from these bacteria. But even in healthy people, Salmonella and Campylobacter infections can lead to hospitalisations and death.
"Washing chicken prior to cooking does not eliminate all the germs within a chicken. At most, it may only remove the bacteria on the surface. But this practice actually makes the overall infection risk from raw chicken significantly worse, as it may potentially cause the pathogens washed off the chicken skin to spread throughout your kitchen.
"When you put raw chicken under the tap, the bacteria on the skin move into the water stream. This will then be splashed into your sink – and potentially your surrounding counters, cupboards and dish rack. This water spray can travel up to 80cm – the length of the average adult arm. This makes cross-contamination pretty likely, especially if these water droplets have landed elsewhere in your kitchen. It may even contaminate other uncooked foods you later place in the same sink.
"Even if you rinse the sink with water after washing the chicken, this may not be sufficient to remove all the pathogenic bacteria that have become attached.
"You cannot remove the bacteria from your chicken, or indeed any poultry or meat, by washing it. The only way to kill germs and make the food safe to eat is by cooking it.
"Cooking poultry at the correct temperature and for the right amount of time is essential for preventing many foodborne illnesses. While the time and temperature will vary depending on how large your chicken is or the recipe you’re using, your chicken should reach an internal temperature of about 75°C. This is effective at killing bacterial pathogens, including Salmonella and Campylobacter.
"Be sure to use a meat thermometer to check your chicken is safe to eat. Another test is to check the juices from the chicken. If they run clear and there’s no trace of blood, the chicken is probably cooked sufficiently.
"If you’re served what looks like under-cooked chicken, or indeed any poultry, in a restaurant (you can see blood when you cut into the meat) send the food back to be cooked properly.
"The bacteria found on raw poultry is natural even though it’s harmful for humans. But so long as you adequately cook your chicken, it’s still safe to eat."
November 9, 2023 - from the Food Business News:
"Starbucks Corp. is gearing up for new all-day snacking platforms and an elevated baked foods offering, part of a product strategy that company executives expect to lift the brand and unlock growth.
"In terms of targeted daypart innovation, Mr. Brewer said Starbucks continues to grow its peak morning business in North America. The company also has grown its afternoon daypart, though opportunities to further accelerate that daypart exist, he said. A third daypart — the period between lunch and dinner — is set to expand through new menu offerings, he said.
"'This strategy has helped drive our North America food business to nearly $6 billion annually in fiscal ’23,' Mr. Brewer said. 'A perfect example of this is how we’ve served our customers’ love for all-day breakfast. Our egg sandwiches and our unique Sous Vide Egg Bites offer customers a high-protein, satiating recharge. In our North America company-operated business, these all-day breakfast categories grew 20% with total North America sales of these products approaching $3 billion. It grew 20% overall but 26% in the afternoon daypart. So we know we’re on to something.'
December 7, 2023 - from the Food Business News:
"Growing Starbucks’ food business has long been a goal for many of the company’s past chief executive officers. But as the company’s business has diversified through the surge in drive-thru, mobile and delivery sales, growing the food business has become a priority for new CEO Laxman Narasimhan.
"Speaking Dec. 5 at the Morgan Stanley Global Consumer & Retail Conference, Mr. Narasimhan identified some of the challenges and opportunities he faces to grow the company’s $6 billion food segment.
"Food application opportunities for Starbucks include all-day breakfast and snacking, particularly in the afternoon.
"Speaking Nov. 2 at Starbucks’ “reinvention update,” Brady Brewer, vice president and chief marketing officer, added, “snacking, it turns out, is one of the fastest-growing macro consumer trends in the US, reaching now a $110 billion market segment. We know our customers are looking for snacks and particularly wholesome and premium snacks. So, in addition to new grab-and-go food products, we’ll also offer a widening snack selection.”
"Helping the company achieve its food goals, Mr. Narasimhan said, are improved warming ovens and implementation of Starbucks’ Siren System. Siren is intended to simplify tasks in both the company’s beverage and food platforms. With the system, the time it takes to make a mocha Frappuccino is reduced to 35 seconds from 83 seconds, according to the company, and the time to warm a breakfast sandwich or egg bite also is reduced. A key to speeding the food warming process is the food is warmed and served in the same packaging.
"But despite the emphasis on food, Mr. Narasimhan also emphasized that beverages are the heart of Starbucks’ strategy."
cRc Kashrus information on Starbucks including a cRc kashrus guide to Starbucks beverages
December 6, 2023 - from the Jewish Press:
"As Hanukkah approaches, United Hatzalah has released imperative safety directives to ensure a secure and delightful holiday experience for all.
"Guidelines for Lighting the Menorah:
Safety Precautions with Oil:
"Treating Burns: In the event of a burn, relocate the injured person away from the heat source and promptly seek medical assistance. Rinse the burn area with lukewarm water; avoid the use of cold water or ice. If clothing catches fire, instruct the injured person to stop, drop, and roll on the floor. Extinguish the fire using a blanket. Avoid pulling cloth adhered to the skin; carefully trim the areas around the burned regions to prevent further damage. Abstain from using creams without consulting a medical professional.
December 5, 2023 - from the BBC:
"Spain is the world's biggest olive oil producer, covering 70% of European Union consumption and 45% of that of the entire world.
"The lack of rain that this province and other olive-producing areas around Spain have been seeing therefore has an enormous impact on both the amount of oil being produced and its price.
"In Spain, olive oil prices have increased by more than 70% this year alone after a sharp rise in 2022. A one-litre bottle of extra virgin oil currently costs around €9 ($9.88; £7.79) in low-budget supermarkets. A slight drop in the market price in recent weeks is only providing light relief.
"The Nuestra Señora del Pilar cooperative, through which hundreds of Jaén olive farmers produce their oil, is the biggest factory of its kind in the world. However, it only harvested 24 million kilos of olives in the 2022-23 season, one of the worst figures on record.
"This year, the cooperative estimates the total will be around 30-35 million kilos - still well below the average.
"However, it seems that rainfall, as much as health concerns, is currently deciding the amount of olive oil that people consume."
November 30, 2023 from the CPSC :
Knob-control electric radiant cooktops, model GE JP3030 have been recalled because the cooktop’s burners can remain on after use, even after being turned to the “off” position, due to misaligned burner knob stems and fractured burner knob components that can exist in units manufactured between July 2022 and September 2022, posing a burn hazard to consumers.
Consumer Contact: GE Appliances toll-free at 877-261-1509 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or online at http://geappliances.com/ge/recall/jp3030-cooktop-2023 or https://www.geappliances.com/ and click on the “JP3030 Cooktop Recall Information” button at the bottom of the webpage.
This recall involves GE-branded JP3030 knob-controlled electric radiant cooktops manufactured from July 2022 through September 2022 with serial numbers beginning with prefixes LT, MT, RT or ST. The recalled cooktops have black or white glass cooktop surfaces and have four radiant burners with four corresponding “Hot Cooktop” lights and four burner control knobs located on the right side of the cooking surface. The following model numbers, UPC codes, and serial number prefixes are included in this recall:
| Model Number | UPC Code | Serial Number or Serial Number Prefix |
|---|---|---|
| JP3030DJ4BB | 084691809609 | LT081195Q – LT081286Q MT- RT- ST- |
| JP3030SJ4SS | 084691809074 | LT015466Q – LT015467Q LT048419Q – LT048420Q LT073851Q LT129159Q – LT129183Q MT- RT- ST- |
| JP3030TJ4WW | 084691809081 | LT148064Q – LT148068Q LT118335Q MT- RT- ST- |
The model number, UPC code, and serial number of the cooktops are printed on the permanent on-product label located on the bottom of the unit, close to the front left burner location.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately contact GE Appliances to arrange for free installation of a replacement burner knob assembly. When not in use, turn the unit off at the circuit breaker. Do not leave flammable materials or empty cookware on or near the cooktop. In the affected units, the burner can remain on following use even after being turned to the “off” position. In this case, the “On” indicator light will not be illuminated, but the “Hot Cooktop” light corresponding to the burner will remain illuminated until power to the cooktop is turned off at the breaker switch.
Sold At: ajor home improvement and appliance stores nationwide, including Best Buy, Lowe’s and The Home Depot, from July 2022 through 2023 for between $1,110 and $1,220.
November 20, 2023 from the AgFunder News:
"On paper, cultivated meat might seem like a no-brainer. Unlike plant-based options, which still don’t quite hit the spot for many consumers, it promises the allure of ‘real’ meat without the ethical and environmental baggage that comes with plundering our oceans and raising billions of sentient land animals for food.
"In practice, however, there’s no playbook for biomanufacturing meat at scale. The funding environment has changed dramatically as investors have soured on alt proteins, and we don’t know whether consumers will pay a premium once the novelty wears off.
"The media narrative around cultivated meat, which was universally positive a few years ago, has also changed dramatically over the past year: Articles about innovations in the space now compete with headlines about cancerous cells, greenwashing, vaporware, and business failures, against a backdrop of grim quarterly results from plant-based meat brand Beyond Meat.
"So, can cultivated meat make the transition from a loss-making novelty served at a handful of high-end restaurants to a commercially viable alternative to animal agriculture?
"However, it seems somewhat premature to write off an industry that didn’t even exist a decade ago because it can’t immediately compete with a heavily subsidized industry (industrialized animal agriculture) and associated ecosystem that has been scaling up and driving efficiencies for decades
"The price of cell culture media components will come down with economies of scale, he says, but what’s going to drive that scale in this chicken-and-egg situation the industry currently finds itself in?
"With current technologies, whole-cut products such as steaks present far greater technical challenges than unstructured products such as nuggets, concurs Swartz at the GFI, noting that UPSIDE Foods is still making its whole-cut chicken filets in two-liter flasks, which COO Amy Chen concedes is not currently scalable.
"However, its process for making unstructured products—growing cell biomass in far larger 2,000-liter tanks before combining it with plant proteins to make hybrid products—holds more promise (although UPSIDE is still awaiting regulatory approval on this process).
"According to Tetrick at GOOD Meat (Eat Just): “If someone says there are uncertainties around scaling up cultivated meat to tens of millions of pounds and getting below the cost of conventional chicken, beef or pork and lamb, I agree.”
"But that doesn’t mean that cultivated meat is a foodtech fantasy, he insists: “The first cell phone that came out was this big, bulky thing. And if someone had said eventually it’ll be a phone in your pocket with 10,000 songs and access to the internet, you’d have said that can’t be because we don’t have the processing speed or the internet connectivity to do that."
November 21, 2023 from the Healthy Canadians:
Remedy: These ranges were recalled in January 2023 (see below), and consumers were offered a repair. ZLINE is expanding the remedies available to consumers to also include a replacement range or a refund. All consumers who have an affected range should immediately stop using the oven compartment, even if they have already had their range repaired as part of the prior recall. Consumers who have received a repair are being contacted directly by ZLINE with additional information and about the offer of an inspection, a replacement range or a refund. Consumers who have not yet scheduled a repair as part of the recall should contact ZLINE for information regarding available remedies. Consumers may continue to use the range tops which are unaffected by the issue.
Consumer Contact: ZLINE toll-free at 833-226-1400 from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, email at rgrecall@zlinekitchen.com or online at www.zlinekitchen.com/recalls or www.zlinekitchen.com and click on the banner at the top of the page for more information.
January 26, 2023 from the Healthy Canadians:
This recall involves the oven compartment of ZLINE gas ranges with model numbers RG30, RG36, and RG48. The ranges were sold in various door colours including black matte, blue gloss, blue matte, DuraSnow, red gloss, red matte and white matte and multiple finishes including stainless steel, black stainless steel and DuraSnow, a cloudy steel finish. The recalled ranges were sold in three sizes, 30 inches, 36 inches, and 48 inches.
The ZLINE logo is printed on the bottom of the door. The model number is printed on a label on the back of the range. For ranges purchased after 2020, the model number is also printed on a label underneath the right side of the range top, visible when the oven door is open. Only ZLINE gas ranges with these model numbers are included in this recall.
The oven of the gas ranges can emit dangerous levels of carbon monoxide (CO) while in use, posing a serious risk of injury or death from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Consumers should immediately stop using the oven compartment of the recalled ranges until the oven compartment has been repaired. Consumers may continue to use the range tops which are unaffected by the issue.
To schedule your free repair, consumers can contact ZLINE by telephone at 1-888-359-4482, by email at ZLINEKitchen@realtimeresults.net or visit the company website.
January 26, 2023 from the CPSC:
ZLINE 30-inch and 36-inch RG gas ranges have been recalled because the oven of the gas ranges can emit dangerous levels of carbon monoxide (CO) while in use, posing a serious risk of injury or death from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Consumer Contact: ZLINE toll-free at 888-359-4482 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, email ZLINEKitchen@realtimeresults.net or online at www.zlinekitchen.com/recalls or www.zlinekitchen.com and click on Recalls for more information.
This recall expansion involves the oven compartment of ZLINE gas ranges to include those with model numbers RG48, RGS-48, and RGB-48. ZLINE previously recalled gas ranges with model numbers RG30, RGS-30, RGB-30, RG36, RGS-36 and RGB-36. The ranges were sold in various door colors including black matte, blue gloss, blue matte, DuraSnow, red gloss, red matte and white matte and multiple finishes including stainless steel, black stainless steel and DuraSnow, a cloudy steel finish. The recalled ranges were sold in three sizes, 30 inches, 36 inches and 48 inches. The ZLINE logo is printed on the bottom of the door. The model number is printed on a label on the back of the range. For ranges purchased after 2020, the model number is also printed on a label underneath the right side of the range top, visible when the oven door is open. Only ZLINE gas ranges with these model numbers are included in this recall.
Consumers should immediately stop using the oven compartment of the recalled ranges until a free repair is available. Consumers may continue to use the range tops which are unaffected by the issue. Contact ZLINE, who is working to develop repairs for all affected units.
Consumers should review Consumers should immediately stop using the oven compartment of the recalled ranges until a free repair is available. Consumers may continue to use the range tops which are unaffected by the issue. Contact ZLINE, who is working to develop repairs for all affected units.
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