PROJECT HEAT — Once Again Yachad Kosher Food Pantry is launching Project Heat, a fund to alleviate the suffering for those in our community who do not have the extra funds to turn on the heat. Donations to the fund, coordinated by Chabad House Center of Kansas City, will allow many to literally stay heated. Those who wish to donate should contact Rabbi Zevi Wineberg, director of the Yachad Kosher Food Pantry, at . One hundred percent of donations will be given to those in need.
In addition, Rabbi Wineberg said Yachad is still collecting gifts cards from Target and Walmart and other area grocery stores to help those needing assistance from the food pantry. The pantry was damaged not once but twice during flooding this summer and is still without a space to operate. Once again, contact Rabbi Wineberg if you can help.
EMPIRE RECALLS KOSHER CHICKEN BREASTS (JTA) — Empire Kosher Poultry is recalling approximately five tons of raw poultry products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, including metal, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced.
The department’s Food Safety and Inspection Service issued a statement about the recall Friday, Nov. 10, adding that the suspected contamination at the Pennsylvania-based factory — one of the largest producers of kosher poultry in North America — may have introduced metals into the products feared affected.
According to the Vaad HaKashruth of Greater Kansas City, the products could have been sold locally.
This one is sold at Costco:
• 4 to 5.25 pounds tray packages containing chicken breasts labeled “Empire KOSHER NATURAL Chicken Breasts, Boneless & Skinless” with case code 46375 and “Sell By” date 11/14/17.
These two may have been sold at Hen House (117th and Roe) and Hy-Vee (95th and Antioch):
• 1 to1.25 pounds tray packages containing chicken breasts labeled “Empire KOSHER NATURAL Chicken Breasts, Boneless & Skinless” with case code 7488 and “Sell By” date 11/16/17.
• 2.5 pounds tray packages containing chicken breasts labeled “Empire KOSHER NATURAL Chicken Breasts, Boneless & Skinless” with case code 7598 and “Sell By” date11/16/17.
There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of the at-risk products, though those with concerns about illness should contact a health care provider, the service’s statement said. Customers who have bought the products suspected as affected should dispose of them or return them.
The raw chicken breast products being recalled were produced and packaged on Nov. 2 and include tray packages containing chicken breasts labeled “Empire KOSHER NATURAL Chicken Breasts, Boneless & Skinless,” marked as sellable before Nov. 14, 16 and 17.
The problem was discovered on Nov. 2 by an establishment employee who observed foreign material in a chicken breast while performing routine duties, the Department of Agriculture statement said.
“The establishment took corrective actions to recover products before reaching commerce,” it added.