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.
July 17, 2022 - from Food Safety NEWS
"Barry Callebaut is to resume production at its factory in Belgium that was involved in a Salmonella contamination incident beginning next month.
Cleaning of the chocolate lines affected by the Salmonella-positive lecithin in the plant in Wieze, is progressing well, said the company.
The first cleaned lines should restart in early August, with a gradual ramp-up to full capacity over the following weeks.
"One batch of contaminated lecithin was unloaded at the Wieze factory on June 25. Barry Callebaut confirmed Salmonella Tennessee had been identified in the lecithin system of the factory and in samples of the delivered material. This batch came from a lecithin manufacturer in Hungary and was transported by a third party. The lecithin involved was only used at this site.
"The National Food Chain Safety Office (Nébih) in Hungary inspected the lecithin supplier, examining the processing methods, documentation, and taking official samples. Based on follow-up investigations, affected items were not shipped to other companies. Local media named this company as The Vandamme Group.
"Blocked before public sale
"Lecithin is used in all chocolate production lines in Wieze, so the company decided to stop operations and to block all chocolate products manufactured from June 25 to 29, except for cocoa production which is not linked to the lecithin circuit.
"On July 1, Barry Callebaut confirmed that, based on its internal investigation, no affected products had entered the retail food chain. No implicated chocolate has been exported by the company outside Europe.
"Affected countries include Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom, according to a RASFF alert."
June 30, 2022 - from CBS NEWS
"Salmonella bacteria have been discovered in the world's biggest chocolate plant, run by Swiss giant Barry Callebaut in the Belgian town of Wieze, the company said Thursday.
"A company spokesman told Agence France-Presse production had been halted at the factory, which produces liquid chocolate in wholesale batches for 73 clients that make confectionaries.
"'All products manufactured since the test have been blocked,' spokesman Korneel Warlop said.
"Most of the products discovered to be contaminated are still on the site, he said.
"The Wieze plant doesn't make chocolates to be sold directly to consumers and the company says it has no reason to believe any contaminated goods made by clients have made it onto shop shelves. "
June 30, 2022 - from Forbes
"Swiss chocolate giant Barry Callebaut on Thursday announced it has suspended production at its plant in Wieze, Belgium—the world’s largest chocolate factory—after a salmonella outbreak was detected, an incident that comes just months after an outbreak at a Ferrero chocolate factory was linked to more than 300 people falling sick across the world.
"In a press statement, Barry Callebaut said it halted production after detecting salmonella in a production lot at its Wieze factory on Monday.
"The company said it has informed Belgian food authorities (FAVV) about the outbreak and has blocked all products manufactured since Monday’s test.
"The chocolate maker is also reaching out to customers who may have purchased any contaminated products, the statement added.
"Barry Callebaut’s own experts have identified the additive lecithin—used in all chocolate production—as the source of the contamination.
"The company said it plans to get to the root of the issue while keeping regulators informed and added production will only resume after the investigation is complete and production lines are cleaned and disinfected."
Salmonella found in world's biggest chocolate plant
World’s Largest Chocolate Factory Suspends Production After Detecting Salmonella
JuLY 4, 2022 - from the KRDO
"Breakfast food giant Kellogg Co. has lost a legal bid to block new anti-obesity measures in England banning the promotion of sugary cereals. The company had challenged the U.K. government over regulations taking effect in October restricting the promotion of foods high in fat, sugar or salt. A High Court judge on Monday rejected the company’s argument that the regulations don’t take into account the nutritional value of milk added to cereal. A judge said mixing a breakfast cereal that’s high in sugar with milk does not alter the fact that it’s high in sugar. Kellogg’s said it’s disappointed but doesn’t plan to appeal.
JuLY 4, 2022 - from the Acrofan
"EFSA has given a provisional green light for human consumption of the Lesser mealworm in a major step forward for the insect industry br>With production already underway in the Netherlands, Ÿnsect is now ready to accelerate the commercialisation of its products across new European markets
"When asked if they thought (human) food manufacturers should make insect proteins more widely incorporated into their products, over three-quarters of global survey respondents (79%) said yes, as long as it is clearly indicated on the packaging."
June 27, 2022 - from Algemeiner.com:
"The New Jersey-based kosher certification agency Kof-K is suing JetBlue Airways for allegedly using its trademark to label an in-flight snack as certified kosher without its authorization.
"In a lawsuit filed in New Jersey federal court on Thursday, Kof-K claimed that the New York-based airline used its certification mark on a packaged snack of marinated artichokes. Kof-K has not questioned the kosher status of the item, but said in the lawsuit that it never certified or approved the artichokes as kosher or gave the airline permission to use its marks.
"Kof-K is suing the airline for trademark infringement, false designation of origin and deceptive trade practices, among other claims. It also accused JetBlue of committing consumer fraud under New Jersey law and violating the New Jersey Kosher Food Consumer Protection Act.
"The artichoke product in question is produced by Elma Farms and is part of a “Mediterranean-inspired” snack box offered by JetBlue that includes other items the airline said are certified kosher under the Orthodox Union, Kashruth Council of Canada or EarthKosher. Reuters reported on Friday that the JetBlue website claimed the Elma Farms artichoke snack is “Kosher certified by KOF-K Kosher Supervision,” but as of Monday, that designation has been removed from the website.
"Elma Farms, which was not named in the lawsuit, said on its website that “most” of its snacks are certified kosher, except for three products that do not include the artichoke snack. The company does not specify which kosher certification agency it uses, although an apparent symbol of a Peruvian kashrut organization is displayed on the back label of the artichoke product.
"Kof-K is requesting an unspecified amount of money damages, and asked the court to order JetBlue to pull the snacks and refrain from using its trademarks.
"JetBlue said in statement, 'The recent complaint filed is the first we were made aware of Kof-K’s trademark concern. We are currently investigating their claims.'"
June 12, 2022: from the Algemeiner:
"Norway’s foreign minister has defended her country’s announcement on Friday that goods imported from the West Bank, the Golan Heights and eastern Jerusalem must be labeled accordingly, sparking the ire of the Israeli government.
"The government explained that the decision was taken in accordance with a European Court of Justice ruling in 2019 requiring products from these territories to be labeled as originating from an “Israeli settlement.' According to its guidelines, “foodstuffs originating in areas occupied by Israel must be marked with the area from which the product comes, and that it comes from an Israeli settlement if that is the case, especially wine, olive oil, fruit, vegetables and potatoes.'
"While Norway is not a member of the EU, it is a participant in the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), which promotes economic integration with the bloc. Defending the labeling decision, Huitfeldt cited Denmark, Finland and Sweden as three EU member states which had introduced similar policies regarding the labeling of Israeli exports."
June 15, 2022: from the Algemeiner:
"An Israeli-based company hopes to fill the void as the baby formula shortage in the United States continues with parents continuing to find store shelves bare, particularly for those seeking specialty formulas.
"Three weeks ago, the US Food and Drug Administration issued emergency guidance enabling the import of infant formulas produced abroad. Tel Aviv-based MyOr — an Israeli health-tech company — is among companies seeking FDA approval as its Mexican subsidiary, AlphaCare, produces and markets MyOr formulas from a plant in north central Mexico.
"Among the formula products AlphaCare makes are specialty ones in very short supply."
Time-Cap Labs Recalls Kroger Brand Aspirin and Ibuprofen Due to Failure to Meet Child Resistant Packaging Requirement; Risk of Poisoning
Recalled products: Kroger Aspirin, 300 count bottles and Ibuprofen, 160 count bottles
Consumer Contact: Kroger at 800-576-4377 (800-KRO-GERS) from 7 a.m. to 12 a.m. (midnight) ET Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. ET Saturday and Sunday, online at www.kroger.com/i/recall-alerts, or www.kroger.com and click on “Recall Alerts” at the bottom of the page, or www.timecaplabs.com and click on “SAFETY RECALL” at the top of the page for more information.
June 16, 2022 from CPSC
Recalled product: Walgreens Pain Reliever Acetaminophen, 150 count bottles
Consumer Contact: Aurohealth toll-free at 888-504-2014 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday, online at www.walgreens.com/topic/information/recall.jsp, www.walgreens.com and click on “product recalls” at the bottom of the page, or www.aurohealth.com and click on “RECALL” at the top of the page for more information.
June 16, 2022 from CPSC
Recalled product: Kroger Arthritis Pain Acetaminophen, 225 count bottles
Consumer Contact: Kroger at 800-576-4377 (800-KRO-GERS) from 7 a.m. to 12 a.m. (midnight) ET Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. ET Saturday and Sunday, online at www.kroger.com/i/recall-alerts, www.kroger.com and click on “Recall Alerts” at the bottom of the page, or www.aurohealth.com and click on “RECALL” at the top of the page for more information.
June 16, 2022 from CPSC
Recalled product: Acetaminophen, 650 mg extended-release caplets, 100 count bottle Location of batch number on bottle label of recalled product
Consumer Contact: Kroger at 800-576-4377 (800-KRO-GERS) from 7 a.m. to 12 a.m. (midnight) ET Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. ET Saturday and Sunday, online at www.kroger.com/i/recall-alerts, www.kroger.com and click on “Recall Alerts” on the bottom of the page, or www.sunpharma.com/usa and click on “Recall Alerts” at the top of the page for more information.
June 18, 2022 - from Times of Israel
"Belgian promoters of a ban on kosher and halal slaughter of animals saw their bill defeated in Brussels, the seat of the European Union and the only region of Belgium where the practice is still legal.
"The vote Friday in the parliament of the Brussels-Capital Region — one of three states that comprise the federal kingdom of Belgium — was on whether to scrap a bill proposing a ban. The bill, submitted by liberal and environmentally-centered parties, had been voted down in a committee that kicked it back to parliament.
"Out of the 89 lawmakers in the region’s parliament, 42 voted in favor of scrapping, 38 voted against scrapping, eight abstained and one was not present, preserving for now the legality of kosher and halal slaughter in Brussels, the news site 7sur7 reported.
"Had a majority of lawmakers voted against scrapping the bill, it would have come up to a vote in parliament, where lawmakers from diverse ideological backgrounds agree that any slaughter of an animal without prior stunning should be outlawed.
"A majority of lawmakers in the parliaments of Belgium’s other states — the French-speaking Walloon Region and the Dutch-speaking Flemish Region — voted in favor of banning the practice in 2017 and 2019, respectively. A ban in Brussels would have had Belgium join a handful European Union states where halal and kosher slaughter of animals are totally illegal.
"Multiple parties with a perceived bias against Islam, and at times also Judaism, support banning kosher and halal slaughter because they see the practices as signs of an unwanted foreign presence. Those parties also tend to support banning the non-medical circumcision of boys, which both Muslims and Jews are commanded to perform.
"Additionally, left-leaning parties with secularist and humanistic agendas oppose both ritual slaughter of animals and the circumcision of boys as unethical and unnecessary."
June 9, 2022 - from CPSC in conjunction with Healthy Canadians:
Hisense French Door Refrigerators with Ice Maker have been recalled because the refrigerator’s door hinge can break causing the door to detach when the consumer tries to open the French doors, posing an impact injury hazard to the consumer.
Consumer Contact: Hisense online at www.hisense-usa.com/product-safety-recall/french-door-refrigerator-2020, toll-free at 888-497-1189 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET Saturday and Sunday, email at recall.usa@hisense.com or online at https://www.hisense-usa.com and click on Recall Information at the bottom.
Description: This recall involves Hisense USA’s 26.6 cubic foot capacity stainless steel French door refrigerators with ice maker with model number HRF266N6CSE and with serial numbers C2020050100001 through C2020123109000. The brand name, model, and serial number for each unit are printed on a label located on the left side of the interior of the refrigerator, above the water dispenser. With the serial number, consumers can check to determine whether their refrigerator is included in this recall by clicking http://hisenseservice.com/recall. The refrigerators are 36 inches wide and 74 inches high.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the refrigerator if the recalled refrigerator’s doors fail to open or close normally until they are repaired. Consumers should contact Hisense USA to determine if their unit is part of the recall and to schedule a free in-home service appointment to have the refrigerator door hinges replaced.
Sold Exclusively At: Lowe’s stores nationwide and online at Lowes.com from August 2020 through February 2022 for about $1,500.
June 2, 2022 - from CPSC in conjunction with Healthy Canadians:
Frigidaire and Electrolux Side-by-Side, Top Freezer and Multi-door refrigerators have been recalled because the ice level detector arm in the ice maker can break into pieces and fall into the ice bucket, posing a choking hazard.
Consumer Contact: Electrolux toll-free at 833-840-5926 from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, by email at IceMakerRecall@electrolux.com or online at www.icemakerrecall.com or at www.electrolux.com or www.frigidaire.com and click on “Recalls” at the bottom of the page for more information.
This recall involves 13 models of Frigidaire refrigerators and one Electrolux model refrigerator. The refrigerators all feature an ice maker and come in stainless steel, white and black. The brand name, model and serial number for each unit is printed on a label located on the right panel in the interior of the refrigerator compartment. The refrigerators range from 23 to 36 inches wide.
The following model numbers and their serial number ranges are included in this recall.
|
Brand |
Model Number/ |
UPC Code |
Serial Range |
|
Frigidaire Prof. |
PRMC2285AF |
0-12505-64714-7 |
1K90974428 – 1K21374177 |
|
Electrolux |
French Door ERMC2295AS |
0-12505-64715-4 |
1K91272383 - 1K21374610 |
|
Frigidaire |
Side by Side FRSS2323AB |
0-12505-64786-4 |
4A11005907 - 4A21110079 |
|
Frigidaire |
Side by Side FRSS2323AW |
0-12505-64787-1 |
4A11010081 - 4A21112264 |
|
Frigidaire |
Side by Side FRSS2323AD |
0-12505-64788-8 |
4A11314335 - 4A21112489 |
|
Frigidaire |
Side by Side FRSS2323AS |
0-12505-64785-7 |
4A11005673 - 4A21201870 |
|
Frigidaire |
Side by Side FRSS2333AS |
0-12505-64789-5 |
4A11317863 - 4A21112732 |
|
Frigidaire |
Side by Side FRSS2623AB |
0-12505-64772-7 |
4A12104890 - 4A21204442 |
|
Frigidaire |
Side by Side FRSS2623AW |
0-12505-64773-4 |
4A12012169 - 4A12012280 |
|
Frigidaire |
Side by Side FRSS2623AD |
0-12505-64774-1 |
4A12219737 - 4A20906066 |
|
Frigidaire |
Side by Side FRSS2623AS |
0-12505-64771-0 |
4A04409324 - 4A21200876 |
|
Frigidaire |
Side by Side FRSS2633AS |
0-12505-64876-2 |
4A12012169 - 4A13402496 |
|
Frigidaire |
Side by Side FRSS26L3AF |
0-12505-64792-5 |
4A11203977 - 4A21116296 |
|
Frigidaire |
Top Freezer FFHI1835VS |
0-12505-64680-5 |
BA92424713 - BA21210491 |
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled Frigidaire and Electrolux refrigerator ice makers, empty the ice bucket and contact Electrolux to schedule a technician to replace the ice maker with one that has a polypropylene ice level detector, free of charge.
Sold At: Lowe’s, Home Depot and appliance stores nationwide and online at Frigidaire.com from April 2020 through March 2022 for between $1,200 and $4,300.
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