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.
November 15, 2023 from the Politico:
"A Florida Republican has a beef with lab-grown meat. State Rep. Tyler Sirois has proposed legislation that would make it a criminal offense to sell ”cultivated” meat in Florida, claiming that it’s an “affront to nature and creation” and the latest front in the “ESG agenda” — referring to environmental, social and corporate governance, which has been target of Gov. Ron DeSantis and Republican state leaders.
"Sirois, a developer who said he doesn’t have ties to agriculture, said he hopes Florida will become the first state to ban cultured meat.
"He also has a powerful ally supporting him: Wilton Simpson, the state’s agriculture commissioner and former Senate president, who is '100%' behind the effort.
"Sam Ard, director of governmental affairs for the Florida Cattlemen’s Association, told POLITICO his grou' hasn’t taken a position on the bill but opposes calling the lab-grown product “meat.'"
November 17, 2023 from the FoodBev Media:
"The Italian Chamber of Deputies has passed a law banning the production and marketing of cell-based meat and the use of meat-related names, such as ‘salami’ or ‘steak’, for plant-based meat products.
"Italy made the move in a bid to protect its agricultural history and traditional culinary culture. The stance was first announced in March this year, when Italy’s Agriculture Minister, Francesco Lollobrigida, said that Italy was the first nation to say no to “synthetic” food as laboratory products do not guarantee quality or wellbeing, nor protect Italy’s culture and traditions.
"In a statement, the Good Food Institute Europe (GFI) said that the bill, which introduces fines between €10,000 and €60,000 for each violation, will “cut the country off from innovation and block sustainable development”.
"The GFI warns that the move will reduce investment, push Italian researchers abroad and hinder the fight against climate change, while other European countries are investing in the sector."
November 8, 2023 from the OU:
The OU rolled out a new feature on https://oukosher.org/product-search/ which now allows users to filter the product search by Dairy Equipment and yoshon.
For example, if you check the Dairy Equipment box and search for Oreo, he will get a complete list of Oreo cookies which are only Dairy equipment, even though the package still says OU-D.
"Because manufacturers can potentially alter their formulas and re-add milk to DE items, certain foods listed as DE on the consumer product search website are marked as 'Subject to change – Please check on DE status every few months.'"
"As for products confirmed as yoshon on OU Kosher’s consumer product site but which appear unmarked, Rabbi Zywica explains that many lack certification symbols because companies prefer not to have extra writing on their products beyond the small OU symbol."
November 2, 2023 from the FDA:
Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration proposed to revoke the regulation authorizing the use of brominated vegetable oil (BVO) in food. The agency concluded that the intended use of BVO in food is no longer considered safe after the results of studiesExternal Link Disclaimer conducted in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found the potential for adverse health effects in humans.
BVO is a vegetable oil that is modified with bromine. It is authorized by the FDA for use in small amounts to keep the citrus flavoring from separating and floating to the top of some beverages. In 1970, the FDA determined BVO was no longer “Generally Recognized as Safe” (GRAS) and began overseeing its use under our food additive regulations. Over the years many beverage makers reformulated their products to replace BVO with an alternative ingredient, and today, few beverages in the U.S. contain BVO.
Although BVO has a long history of use in foods and was at one time considered GRAS, we have continued to study it to understand any potential health impacts. Recent toxicology studiesExternal Link Disclaimer conducted in collaboration with the NIH have now given us conclusive scientific evidence to support our proposal to remove the FDA’s food additive authorization for BVO.
The FDA is currently reviewing the color additive regulations authorizing the use of FD&C Red No. 3 in ingested drugs and foods (including dietary supplements) under the Delaney Clause of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, which, in relevant part, prohibits the FDA from approving a color additive that is ingested if it causes cancer in animals or humans when ingested. A decision from the FDA is forthcoming.
November 8, 2023 from the FoodSafetyNews.com:
"After a summer pause, the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) epidemic in the United States resumed last month, first as a single event, then as a cluster of cases, and it is now spreading across at least 14 states.
"The new outbreak cases first took the dead bird total to over 60 million, then the new spike went to over 61 million, and it continues to grow. It now includes a commercial table egg layer operation that counts its loses at 940,000 birds in Wright County, MN. The virus last hit a commercial egg facility in Weld County, CO, on Dec. 20, 2022.
"Commercial turkey operations have been prominent among the new outbreaks.
"Since the summer pause, HPAI was detected in 25 commercial flocks in October and at least six more already in November. Detections were reported in 19 backyard flocks in October and four more in November.
"Commercial and backyard flocks must be kept from contact with wild birds to stem the HPAI spread. State and federal officials ask that they be immediately notified whenever birds are sick or experiencing unusual deaths."
October 23, 2023 from the FoodSafetyNews.com:
"Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has returned to the Upper Midwest of the United States with a vengeance. After a break from spring through early fall, new case reports are stacking up for commercial flocks.
"The new bird flu reports include the following:
"The discovery of bird flu in a commercial flock usually results in “depopulation,” meaning the impacted birds must all be euthanized
"With the state’s first case since March 2023, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation on Oct. 20 for the new bird flu cases. Her action permits the state to track, monitor, detect, contain, dispose and disinfect the virus.
"Iowa lost 15 million birds to bird flu in 2022 through March 2023.
"Scientists say some wild birds have developed immunity to bird flu, which is seen as an encouraging sign. Since wild birds have spread flu around the globe, immunity might lessen the spread in the future.
"HPAI has infected commercial poultry, totaling more than 59 million in 47 states since 2022. In April 2022, just one person who recovered was inflected with HPAI."
November 9, 2023 - from the EuroNews:
"Criminals across the Mediterranean region are stealing olives and branches and even cutting down trees to lay their hands on the fruit that has tripled in price since 2019. Some of the trees have stood for more than a hundred years.
"A global surge in olive oil prices – which have tripled since 2019 to set records – has presented criminals across the Mediterranean with an opportunity.
"Warehouse break-ins, accounting scams and oil tampering are on the rise in the olive growing heartlands of Greece, Spain and Italy. And with growing frequency, gangs use chainsaws to hack off branches and cut down entire trees at unguarded groves.
"The crimes are compounding distress among growers already battling high production costs and the impact of climate change: warm winters, major floods, and more intense forest fires.
"fter decades of growth, the global olive oil market has been disrupted by a near two-year drought in southern Spain, a country that typically covers 40% of the world's supply.
"According to European Union estimates, the Spanish slump will help push global production down to 2.5 million metric tons in the 2022-23 crop year, from 3.4 million in the previous annual cycle.
"With global demand remaining high, international importers are often willing to offer prices above domestic rates. Year-on-year exports from Greece more than doubled in the first five months of 2023, while Turkey in August suspended exports to protect its domestic market.
"In late 2019, wholesale prices dropped below 3 euros per kilogram. By last September, they had reached 9 euros per kilo."
November 6, 2023 - from the Food Beverage Insider:
"Many Israeli food science and nutraceutical companies were unable to attend SupplySide West/Food ingredients North America 2023 due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas War. They were affected by employees being called up for military service, challenges in personnel and a focus on shortening international supply chains in preparation for future disruptions.
"There was a noticeable absence on the show floor at SupplySide West 2023. Israeli food science and nutraceutical companies, which often showcase some of the most forward-thinking innovations in their booths, were largely absent this year.
"This tiny country sits firmly on the vanguard of food industry sustainability, meat substitutes and environmentally friendly packaging, among a range of other crucial areas. Flights in and out of Israel are few and far between at the moment, however, due to the Israel-Hamas War that broke out in early October. And employees of Israeli companies are currently feeling the impact of the war both personally and professionally.
"A recurring theme among the companies contacted was that the largest current impact on their operations came from employees being called up to serve in the Israeli military.
T"he online magazine Israel 21c estimated on Oct. 30, 2023, that more than 23,000 Thai workers already went “home in fear,” while many Palestinian workers are no longer allowed to enter Israel. “Half the agricultural workforce vanished overnight, leaving crops to rot in the fields and livestock to fend for themselves,” reporter Jon Jeffay wrote.
"Without the usual labor force in place, thousands of Israeli volunteers have stepped in to help, doing everything from guarding farms to picking celery.
"The spirit of collaboration and support extends far beyond Israel’s borders, as companies have seen their colleagues step up to support them however needed.
"This groundswell makes Dana optimistic about the Israeli agriculture and food industry’s future, despite its current challenges."
November 3, 2023 - from the NYSED:
The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (NYS AGM) and the New York State Department of Education (NYSED) today reiterated their actions and outreach to support New York’s dairy industry and schools during the nationwide shortage of packaging paperboard. The supply chain disruption has created a challenge for school milk packaging across the US as well as other institutions.
SFAs are allowed to serve and claim meals during the emergency period by:
The Department also advised that juice cannot be offered in place of the milk component. SFAs must still adhere to the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program meal requirement that no more than half of the fruit or vegetable offerings may be in the form of juice.
November 3, 2023 - from the Packaging Dive:
"A gable-top carton supply chain snag has milk suppliers scrambling for alternative carton sources. If it continues, the shortage could result in suppliers dumping milk, higher consumer dairy prices and schools that struggle to meet federal nutrition requirements.
"Customers report difficulty in procuring 8-ounce, or half-pint, cartons as well as 4-ounce cartons. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service acknowledged in an Oct. 25 memo that some schools were having trouble getting their supplies of milk due to supply chain issues, highlighting that it is a packaging issue and not a milk issue.
"The problem could become more widespread and affect grocery store supplies; anecdotal reports indicate some areas already are experiencing this.
In grocery stores, you can still get the plastic bottles and different sizes.
"n recent weeks, news of the milk carton trouble initially trickled in from schools, dairies and others on the East Coast, and the International Dairy Foods Association said via a Nov. 3 email that “supply challenges are very localized.” However, the California Department of Education also issued a notice about the situation, and some national media reports already are calling this a nationwide problem.
"Some point to packaging manufacturer Pactiv Evergreen as the problem’s source, but dairy producers say they can’t get answers about exactly what’s going on or when business will return to normal. Pactiv Evergreen did not respond to requests for comment prior to publication.
November 6, 2023 - from the Food Dive:
"While the prospect of eating insects sounds unacceptable to many consumers, industry leaders see significant promise in their ability to help meet the need for a more sustainable supply chain and more protein.
"Alexandra Kazaks, PhD, RD, a member of the nutrition division at the Institute of Food Technologists, said the entry of Tyson Foods into the insect space lends it legitimacy. Last month, the meat giant announced a strategic investment with startup Protix to boost insect ingredients for use in the food supply chain, specifically for use in animal feed.
"Despite Tyson not investing in insects for use in human food, Kazaks said it comes as industry players are taking the prospect of implementing bugs into the food system seriously, and scaling up production can help it meet that demand. Insect farming, she said, currently lacks the infrastructure for widespread adoption. The space can help solve costly issues, she said, including feedstock availability, disease management and environmental sustainability.
"s food and beverage companies work to overhaul their supply chains to reduce their carbon footprint over the next decade, implementing insect protein into their operations could drive down their use of resources. 8 square meters of land are needed to grow a pound of crickets, compared to 115 square meters needed for a pound of beef, producer Cricket Powder said.
"According to the IFT expert, companies starting with using insects as animal feed could provide fewer barriers for entry into the space with lower costs.
"Adventurous eaters looking for new protein sources are the most likely consumers to try new products made with insects. Future insect-based products could include dietary supplements, flavor enhancers, powders, bars and burger patties."
October 30, 2023 - from the Food & Beverage Insider:
"Israeli food company, food tech startups, chefs unite to provide meals for soldiers, displaced families
"The Israel-Hamas war commenced on Oct. 7, 2023, and has since claimed more than 1,400 Israeli lives. On Oct. 8, Omer Tal, head chef and culinary consultant for plant-based meat company Redefine Meat Ltd., began an effort to aid soldiers, personnel and displaced families affected by the devastating event. Tal contacted Dor Datner, owner of 12 eateries in Tel Aviv, to partner to help create nearly 6,000 vegan meals in one week, with the help of a collaborative of other Israeli food tech startups, vegan food producers, and 100 volunteers and private chefs. Several food tech startups provided their plant-based innovations as raw materials; Redefine Meat Ltd. donated three tons of its plant-based meat alternatives, including alt-beef and alt-lamb; vegan food producers Green Butcher and More Foods provided their alt-beef products; YoEgg! Foods contributed its plant-based eggs; Creative Pea offered its pea-based chicken and fish solutions; vegan food companies Plenty 4u, Mama Q and Utopi E.y.m. provided nondairy products like cheeses; and Israeli Tofu donated tofu products, including plant-based schnitzel. Vegan iterations of spaghetti and meatballs Bolognese, chicken skewers, fish patties, poached eggs in tomato sauce, cheese pastries and other products were created and used to create fully balanced meal kits, each featuring a protein, carbohydrates, vegetables and a dessert. The meals sustained approximately 400,000 individuals. Though the weeklong effort came to an end, Tal said he is currently working with several smaller private kitchens and restaurants to continue to provide raw materials for 50 meals each day for Israeli soldiers, evacuated families and injured survivors."
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