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.
March 21, 2023 - from the Business Wire:
"GOOD Meat, the cultivated meat division of food technology company Eat Just, Inc., announced today that it has received a "no questions" letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as part of one of the agency’s first pre-market consultations for a new kind of meat, poultry and seafood made from cells instead of raised and slaughtered animals. The letter means that following a careful and rigorous evaluation, the FDA has accepted the company’s conclusion that its first poultry product, cultivated chicken, is safe to eat.
"This clears a crucial step in bringing GOOD Meat to restaurants and retail in the U.S. more than two years after its historic approval and launch in Singapore. The company is now working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture on necessary approvals before world-renowned chef and humanitarian José Andrés becomes the first in the country to offer GOOD Meat’s chicken to customers at a restaurant in Washington, D.C. Andrés is chef/owner of José Andrés Group, which operates more than 30 restaurants across the country.
"The United States joins Singapore as a global leader in creating a regulatory pathway to market for real, safe, high-quality meat produced directly from animal cells. It’s a pioneering process that, in partnership with the broader agricultural community, can help meet the growing global demand for safe, sustainable protein. Some analysts predict cultivated meat could become a $25 billion global industry by 2030.
" Over the course of many months, GOOD Meat’s development, manufacturing, and regulatory teams prepared extensive documentation for the FDA detailing the safety and production process for its cultivated chicken. The company provided details on the identity, purity and stability of chicken cells used as well as a thorough description of its consistent, robust, and scalable process, which does not require antibiotics at any stage. The submission included an in-depth safety review of the media used to grow its non-genetically modified cells.
"Safety and quality validations submitted by GOOD Meat demonstrated that harvested cultivated chicken met poultry microbiological and purity standards, with microbiological levels significantly cleaner than conventional chicken. The analysis also demonstrated that GOOD Meat's cultivated chicken contains high protein content, a well-balanced amino acid profile and is a rich source of mineral,s experience for chefs and the sensorial experience for consumers.
"According to consumer research conducted by a leading global management consulting firm on behalf of GOOD Meat, 70% of Singaporeans who tried GOOD Meat’s cultivated chicken said it tasted as good or better than conventional chicken. Nearly 90% of those diners said they would substitute conventional chicken with cultivated chicken. Approximately 90% of restaurant operators said they would be open to selling cultivated meat, and most said they could envision cultivated meat replacing conventional meat on menus within a decade. "
March 20, 20123 - from the Yeshiva World:
"New York Attorney General Letitia James today issued a consumer alert urging New Yorkers to be cautious of potential discriminatory pricing practices at car washes in advance of Pesach. In previous years, there have been reports of car wash businesses in predominantly Orthodox Jewish communities in New York City raising prices by as much as 50 percent for Jewish customers seeking cleaning services close to Passover.
"In the days leading up to Passover, many Jews clean their homes, cars, and other spaces to remove “chametz” (leavened products). According to reports provided to the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), some companies have advertised “specials” for car washing services related to Passover, but instead, charged higher prices to customers. To protect New Yorkers from these practices, Attorney General James has previously sent letters to organizations representing car wash owners in New York to remind their members that any such business practice is illegal and should be reported to OAG.
"nyone who is aware of businesses using discriminatory practices or believes that they were charged more for services because of their religion, race, or background is encouraged to file a complaint with OAG online or call 1-800-771-7755."
March 9, 2023 from the CPSC in conjunction with Heathy Canadians:
YETI soft coolers and gear cases have been recalled because the magnet-lined closures can fail and result in detached magnets, posing a risk of serious injury or death if ingested. When two or more high-powered magnets are swallowed, the ingested magnets can attract to each other, or to another metal object, and become lodged in the digestive system. This can result in perforations, twisting and/or blockage of the intestines, infection, blood poisoning and death.
Consumer Contact: YETI toll-free at 833-444-3151 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT Monday through Sunday, email at productrecall@yeti.com or online at https://www.yeti.com/M20-M30-sidekick-product-recall.html or at www.yeti.com and click on “Product Recall” at the bottom of the page for more information.
This recall involves the YETI Hopper M30 Soft Cooler 1.0 and 2.0, Hopper M20 Soft Backpack Cooler and SideKick Dry Gear Case. The products have a main-pocket closure lined with high-powered magnets, which are enclosed in a heat-sealed plastic strip. The M20 Soft Backpack Cooler measures about 18 inches wide and 18 inches high; the M30 Soft Cooler 1.0 and 2.0 is about 25 inches wide and 17 inches high; and the SideKick Dry Gear Case is about 11 inches wide and 7 inches high. The recalled coolers and gear cases were sold in a variety of colors and with the brand name YETI displayed on the front. A hang tag with the product name is attached to the coolers and gear cases.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled products and contact YETI to receive a full refund or replacement product. Visit www.yeti.com for instructions on returning the product free of charge for the choice of a suggested replacement product of equal or greater value or full refund in the form of a YETI gift card with an additional $25 value.
Sold At: Dick’s Sporting Goods, ACE Hardware, Academy Sports + Outdoors, YETI and other stores nationwide and online at www.yeti.com and www.amazon.com from March 2018 to January 2023 for about $50 for the SideKick Dry Gear Case, $325 for the Hopper M20 Soft Backpack Cooler and between $300 and $350 for the Hopper M30 Soft Cooler 1.0 and 2.0.
March 9, 2023 from the CPSC :
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Epoch Everlasting Play LLC, of Pine Brook, New Jersey, are announcing the recall of all Calico Critters flocked animal figures and sets that were sold with bottle and pacifier accessories, which totals more than 3.2 million units. The bottle and pacifier accessories pose a choking hazard to children.
Epoch Everlasting Play LLC is aware of three incidents involving the pacifier accessory, including two deaths. One fatal incident involved a 2-year-old child in 2018 in New Mexico, and the other fatal incident involved a 9-month-old child in 2015 in Japan (with a pacifier accessory distributed by Epoch Japan).
Take the recalled bottle and pacifier accessories away from children immediately and contact Epoch Everlasting Play LLC for instructions on how to submit a photo of the recalled bottle and/or pacifier accessory along with contact information and confirmation of destruction to receive a free replacement accessory.
This recall involves all Calico Critters flocked animal figures and sets sold with bottle and pacifier accessories. The following item numbers are printed on the bottom of the product packaging. The bottle accessories were sold in yellow, pink, blue and orange colors. One style of the bottle has two yellow handles. The pacifier accessories were sold in yellow, orange, pink, dark pink, blue and teal colors.
|
ITEM |
DESCRIPTION |
|
CC1407 |
SANDY CAT TWINS |
|
CC1450 |
CHIHUAHUA TWINS |
|
CC1459 |
BORDER COLLIE TWINS |
|
CC1481 |
HAZELNUT CHIPMUNK TWINS |
|
CC1491 |
FLUFFY HAMSTER TWINS |
|
CC1508 |
WILDER PANDA TWINS |
|
CC1510 |
CUDDLE BEAR TWINS |
|
CC1529 |
SLYDALE FOX TWINS |
|
CC1533 |
HAWTHORNE TWINS |
|
CC1571 |
ELLWOODS ELEPHANT TWINS |
|
CC1586 |
PERSIAN CAT TWINS |
|
CC1641 |
FISHER CAT TWINS |
|
CC1643 |
BL HOPSCOTCH RABBIT TWIN |
|
CC1664 |
HIGHCHAIR AND ACCESSORIES |
|
CC1689 |
BUTTERCUP TWINS |
|
CC1694 |
CC SILK CAT TWINS |
|
CC1737 |
BL TOY POODLE TWINS |
|
CC1750 |
BABY NURSERY SET |
|
CC1761 |
TWINS ASSORTMENT ‐ PK 9 |
|
CC1795 |
BL MAPLE CAT TWINS |
|
CC1924 |
BL PICKLEWEEDS HEDGE TWN |
|
CC1955 |
JASON AND AMANDA VISIT DR. MURDOCK |
|
CC1965 |
CARRY CASES ‐ PK 1 |
|
CC2006 |
BEAGLE TWINS |
|
CC2019 |
YELLOW LABRADOR TWINS |
|
CC2067 |
ADVENTURE TREEHOUSE GIFT |
|
CC2269 |
BABYS NURSERY SET |
|
CC2269P4 |
BABY NURSERY ‐ PK4 |
|
CC2484 |
JESS & NOAH’S BACKYARD FUN |
|
CC2537 |
BL SOPHIE'S LOVE N CARE |
|
CC2537P4 |
SOPHIE LOVE N CARE ‐ PK4 |
|
CC2597 |
NIGHTLIGHT NURSERY SET |
|
CC2598 |
BABY’S BLUE BEDROOM SET WITH NIGHTLIGHT |
|
CF1407 |
BL SANDY CAT TWINS |
|
CF1412 |
BL HOPSCOTCH RABBIT TWNS |
|
CF1416 |
BL ELLWOOD ELEPHANT TWNS |
|
CF1418 |
BL YELLOW LAB TWNS |
|
CF1424 |
SILK CAT TWINS |
|
CF1429 |
BL PKLWEED HEDGEHOG TWNS |
|
CF1481 |
BL HZLNUT CHIPMUNK TWINS |
|
CF1491 |
BL FLUFFY HAMSTER TWINS |
|
CF1510 |
BL CUDDLE BEAR TWINS |
|
CF1513 |
BL NIGHTLIGHT NURSERY SET |
|
CF1520 |
BL WILDER PANDA TWNS |
|
CF1526 |
BL BORDER COLLIE TWNS |
|
CF1554 |
BL BABYS NURSERY SET |
|
CF1586 |
BL PERSIAN CAT TWINS |
|
CF1717 |
BL ADV TREEHOUSE GIFT SE |
|
CF1737 |
BL TOY POODLE TWINS |
|
CF1750 |
BL BABY NURSERY SET |
|
CF1761 |
BL TWINS ASSORTMENT |
|
CF1795 |
BL MAPLE CAT TWINS |
|
CF2537 |
BL SOPHIES LOVE N CARE |
|
CF2537P4 |
BL SOPHIES LOVE N CARE |
They were sold at Walmart, Meijer, and other stores nationwide and online at www.calicocritters.com and www.amazon.com from January 2000 through December 2021 for between $10 and $80.
Contact Epoch Everlasting Play LLC at 800-631-1272 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or by email at productsafety@epocheverlastingplay.com, or online at www.epocheverlastingplay.com/recalls or https://epocheverlastingplay.com/ and click on “Product Recalls” at the top of the landing page or https://calicocritters.com/en-us/ and click on “Recall Information” at the top of the landing page.
Consumers should immediately take the recalled bottle and pacifier accessories away from children and contact Epoch Everlasting Play LLC for instructions on how to submit a photo of the recalled bottle and/or pacifier accessory along with contact information and confirmation of destruction to receive a free replacement accessory.
March 6, 2023 - from Business Insider
"The Italian government becomes the next in a growing list of those proposing restricted labelling on plant-based meat from using “meaty” terms, in a move ProVeg describes as “misleading and backwards.”
"The bill notes that its efforts represent an attempt to protect livestock production in the country, even though animal agriculture is responsible for about 20% of greenhouse gas emissions globally, explains ProVeg.
"Furthermore, the bill argues that if plant-based meat brands use traditional meat terms on their labels, consumers could be confused about their nutritional value when compared to meat.
"Italy joins list of countries taking step backwards Plant-based food labels have been at the centre of a heated debate in Europe, with France, Switzerland, and South Africa trying to remove meat-like terms from labels. ProVeg International has criticised before plant-based labelling restrictions, describing them as “draconian.”
"n Italy, the suggested introduction of the bill comes after regulators and the animal agriculture industry in other countries have attempted to control how plant-based meat and dairy are labelled, argues ProVeg."
February 28, 2023 from the VermontBiz:
"Following the US Food and Drug Administration’s proposed guidance last week allowing nut, oat, soy, and other non-dairy products to use the name "milk,” Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Jim Risch (R-ID), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Peter Welch (D-Vermont) today introduced bipartisan legislation to combat the unfair practice of mislabeling non-dairy products using dairy names. The Defending Against Imitations and Replacements of Yogurt, milk, and cheese to Promote Regular Intake of Dairy Everyday Act (DAIRY PRIDE Act) of 2023 would require non-dairy products made from nuts, seeds, plants, and algae to no longer be mislabeled with dairy terms such as milk, yogurt or cheese.
"Current Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations define dairy products as being from dairy animals, however, last week the FDA released ill-advised draft guidance allowing plant-based products to continue to use dairy terms despite not containing dairy, nor having the nutritional value of dairy products.
"The FDA’s anti-dairy draft guidance contradicts their own regulation and definitions, allowing non-dairy products to use dairy names, violating the Administrative Procedure Act, and hurting dairy farmers and producers, who work tirelessly to ensure their Made in Wisconsin dairy products meet FDA standards and provide the public with nutritious food. It has also led to the proliferation of mislabeled alternative products that contain a range of ingredients and nutrients that are often not equivalent to the nutritional content of dairy products.
"The DAIRY PRIDE Act would require the FDA to issue guidance for nationwide enforcement of mislabeled imitation dairy products within 90 days and require the FDA to report to Congress two years after enactment to hold the agency accountable for this update in their enforcement obligations. The legislation would also nullify any guidance that is not consistent with dairy standards of identity, including the one released last week.
"The bipartisan legislation is also cosponsored by Senators Mike Crapo (R-ID), Angus King (I-ME), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Roger Marshall (R-KS) and Tina Smith (D-MN).
February 22, 2023 from the FDA:
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced draft recommendations for industry on the naming of plant-based foods that are marketed and sold as alternatives to milk. The draft guidance also recommends voluntary nutrient statements for the labeling of some plant-based milk alternatives.
In addition to the increase in market availability and consumption, the variety of alternative products available in the marketplace has also greatly expanded from soy, rice and almond to include cashew, coconut, flaxseed, hazelnut, hemp seed, macadamia nut, oat, pea, peanut, pecan, quinoa and walnut-based beverages. Although these products are made from liquid-based extracts of plant materials, such as tree nuts, legumes, seeds or grains, they are frequently labeled with names that include the term “milk.”
The draft guidance, “Labeling of Plant-based Milk Alternatives and Voluntary Nutrient Statements: Guidance for Industry,” recommends that a plant-based milk alternative product that includes the term “milk” in its name (e.g., “soy milk” or “almond milk”), and that has a nutrient composition that is different than milk, include a voluntary nutrient statement that conveys how the product compares with milk based on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service fluid milk substitutes nutrient criteria. For example, the label could say, “Contains lower amounts of Vitamin D and calcium than milk.”
In September 2018, the FDA requested information on the labeling of plant-based milk alternatives (PBMA) with terms that include the names of dairy foods such as “milk.” More than 13,000 comments were received, and the FDA determined that consumers generally understand that PBMA do not contain milk and choose to purchase PBMA because they are not milk. However, many consumers may not be aware of the nutritional differences between milk and PBMA products. For example, almond- or oat-based PBMA products may contain calcium and be consumed as a source of calcium, but their overall nutritional content is not similar to milk and fortified soy beverages, and they are not included as part of the dairy group in the Dietary Guidelines 2020-2025.
Dairy foods, including milk, are recommended by the Dietary Guidelines as part of a healthy eating pattern and contribute multiple key nutrients, including protein and vitamins A and B-12, along with calcium, potassium and vitamin D, which are currently under-consumed. The Dietary Guidelines only includes fortified soy beverages in the dairy group because their nutrient composition is similar to that of milk. However, the nutritional composition of PBMA products varies widely within and across types, and many PBMAs do not contain the same levels of key nutrients as milk.
To support consistency across federal nutrition policies, the draft guidance recommends that industry use the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service fluid milk substitutes nutrient criteria to determine if a PBMA is nutritionally similar to milk. Also, the FDA encourages consumers to use the Nutrition Facts label to compare the nutrient content of different products to help make informed choices.
Milk and Plant-Based Milk Alternatives: Know the Nutrient Difference
February 25, 2023 - from Business Insider
"The Center for Contemporary Equine Studies is suing Amazon for selling products containing donkey meat, despite efforts from advocacy groups to halt the practice.
"The lawsuit claims the e-commerce giant is illegally selling products that contain "ejiao" — a gelatin made from the skin of donkeys and used in various products like health supplements — in violation of California animal welfare law.
"According to the Brooke USA Foundation, a group fighting against Amazon in support of donkey welfare, ejiao acts as "a hard gel that can be dissolved in hot water or alcohol to be used in food or drink, or in beauty products such as face creams." Some advocacy groups and consumers claim companies are deceptively using the substance, contributing to the slaughter and skinning of millions of donkeys a year.
"One Amazon customer told Wired she was shocked to discover anti-hemorrhage dietary supplements on the site that claimed to be "100 percent pure, natural herbs" but contained "gelatina nigra," another name for ejiao.
"Now, the lawsuit is aiming to use an obscure law to stop the sale of ejiao, claiming Amazon is breaching the 1998 Prohibition of Horse Slaughter and Sale of Horsemeat for Human Consumption Act on the grounds that donkeys are equine animals, according to Wired.
"According to an analysis of 1,000 products containing ejiao or that included terms like "donkey hide" conducted by Wired, at least 15 edible items contain the gelatin, and at least four were available to ship directly from Amazon warehouses (as opposed to third-party sellers)."
February 23, 2023 - from AP News
"Nearly 30 million Americans who got extra government help with grocery bills during the pandemic will soon see that aid shrink — and there’s a big push to make sure they’re not surprised.
"Officials in 32 states and other jurisdictions have been using texts, voicemails, snail mail, flyers and social media posts — all in multiple languages — to let recipients know that their extra food stamps end after February’s payments.
"For the average recipient, the change will mean about $90 less per month, though for many, it could be much more, an analysis shows. Benefits will return to usual levels, which are based largely on a household’s income, size and certain expenses, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP."
February 28, 2023 - from Kosher Today
"While there may have been some signs in mid-January that inflation may be easing, it has not trickled down to the kosher consumer who is continuing to experience soaring food prices. Food executives also see a grim outlook for this coming Passover (April 5-13) and expect kosher food prices to rise by some 12% over last year. For example, prices for eggs and potatoes which are basic staples on Passover are expected to remain high. The price for a lb. of potatoes is expected to be near 0.50 while the price for a dozen eggs may on average top $3,00, still much better than the recent $5.00 price tag. Experts warn that while demand has moderated, and supply increased there is still the threat that bird flu may cause further shortages. Inflation is also affecting Jewish communities in Europe and Israel where the new government has vowed to institute price controls for Passover.
"n the meantime, inflation has also resulted in higher costs at Passover programs as operators are forced to pass on the inflationary prices to customers. Hotel room rates are also skyrocketing as is air travel."
February 28, 2023 - from Kosher Today
"There are growing fears in the kosher world of a major shortage of matzah and significant price increases this Passover due to the closure of the Shatzer Matzoh Bakery, one of the most iconic and popular Matzah factories. Sources told Kosher Today that the Shatzer bakery had a significant market share in the Shmura hand-made matzoh category. Although other bakeries are promising increased production, one rabbi said that he was not allowed to bake more than he did last year. The news of the sudden closure hit many in the Orthodox community hard as the bakery has been a major institution for Passover for well over a half century. There was a particular concern by operators and caterers who will be managing some 140 Passover programs."
February 8, 2023 - from 5 Towns
"hatzer Matzoh, one of the most iconic and popular Matzah factories, has reportedly closed its doors and will not be reopening.
"Shatzer Matzos, located at 210 Cortelyou Rd in Borough Park, serviced thousands of customers each Pesach season for decades. The factory’s owner closed up shop without intent on selling the business.
"Many have raised concerns that this may increase Matzah prices again, as supply and demand will worsen matters. “Matzah is almost as expensive as gold these days! Close down a very popular and successful factory like this one, and things are going to get even more out of control”, commented Josh, a concerned Far Rockaway resident.
"5TC attempted to reach out to the factory for a statement, but the lines were down, and according to Google, the shop is 'permanently closed.'"
February 9, 2023 - from JTA
"Shatzer Matzohs, a matzah bakery that has operated for decades and gained a loyal following, may not be producing the unleavened bread ahead of Passover this year.
"The owner told the New York Jewish Week that the closure is 'temporary,'5 but that she does not know what the future holds. Another person at the Shatzer phone number said in a subsequent call that the factory may indeed reopen ahead of Passover, but that it has not started baking yet, as it would have at this point in time in previous years.
"In the Facebook group “Great Kosher Restaurants Foodies,” Riki Landa announced that the company is closed this year, adding that the news was 'so sad.'"”
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