Recall Alert!

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!!

There's been a recall on these Universal Travel Adapters:

The product is called "Universal Travel Adapter" Model 177W, Made in CHINA, Sold in 2025, Barcode 6949989408060

They pose a RISK OF ELECTROCUTION and are also a FIRE HAZARD!! DO NOT USE THEM.

If you bought one of these, you can return them at ANY Rikochet store throughout the country, or contact the importer at 08-9708040 or WhatsApp 0523701076

PASS THIS ON to someone who might not know!

Stay safe, everyone!

Water problems

Today, November 20, 2023, a boil water advisory was announced for the city of Haifa. 

Original post from the Health Department here

In addition, all beaches are closed due to the possibility of contamination from the storm and possible overflow from the sewage system. 

Original post here 

Stay safe everyone! 

Pesticide Residue in Fruits (Israel)

Last year, I posted information about pesticide residue in produce in Israel.

I've been waiting for the updated list, but so far, all I can find is an updated fruit list.
At this point, some of these fruits are out of season, but not all.

So here is the list of the most contaminated fruits this year:

Grapes
Pears
Peaches
Apricots
Nectarines
Plums
Apples
Melons
Mangos
Pomegranates
Persimmons
Lychee
Cherries
Figs
Dates

The cleanest fruits this year are: 

Watermelons
Bananas
Organic Lychee
Sabras

I know this list seems like it's a mile long... 
I'm hoping that the more these pesticide residue rankings get publicized, the closer we'll get to major changes...

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Dioxin in eggs: Follow up

So many people have asked me so many questions about the practicalities surrounding the dioxin in eggs announcement. To be honest, I have many questions myself, so the time has come to find some answers.

What are dioxins?

image source: Wikipedia

They are in a class of environmental pollutants, that are commonly referred to as "the Dirty Dozen". The World Health Organization has a very thorough factsheet about dioxins.

To sum it up:

While dioxins can contaminate our environment through natural means like fires and volcanos,  most of our dioxin-pollution is from industrial waste that is not properly treated.

90% of our exposure to dioxins is from our food supply. It builds up in fatty tissues of animals, and when we consume those fatty tissues, we are exposed to dioxins (and other persistant pollutants as well). So most of our exposure comes from eating fatty animal-based foods.

The WHO says that all people have "background exposure" to dioxins. They are concerned that we need to find ways to reduce our background exposure, because it is highly toxic.

So when Misrad Habriut announced that they found dioxin in eggs, it means that they found dioxin in a too-high concentration in the eggs, as most eggs contain some amount of dioxins (sadly, in my opinion).

According to Misrad Habriut, dioxins cause the most damage when there is long term exposure to higher than "acceptable" levels. 

According to Mako (channel 2 news), who broke the story, Misrad Habriut is saying that (even though they won't release the names of the farms) the four egg farms that were found to have high dioxin levels are ALL very small and are scattered throughout the country, and they stopped distribution from those farms immediately upon learning the results of the lab tests (and destroyed any remaining inventory).

They maintain it is unlikely any one person had a consistent exposure to these particular eggs, daily, over the long term.

So as far as the nitty-gritty of what we all need to know: Misrad Habriut says you can buy new eggs, as they have removed the tainted ones from the market. 

As far as the ones in your fridge. My personal feeling is that it is a gamble. Let's say 3% of the eggs on the market were problematic. Are the eggs in your fridge (or mine) likely to be part of that 3%? No. But how would you know? I am going to have to leave that up to each person to make their own decision.


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Another Recall (Israel)

The Ministry of Health has found additional salads contaminated by Listeria. These salads are manufactured by Shamir Salads and are sold under private labels.

The following are being recalled due to contamination:

Green Techina Salad - Yesh brand, 350 g, expiration date 18.1.13
Techina Salad - Yesh brand, 700g, expiration date 24.2.13
Egg Salad - Yesh brand, 350 g, expiration date 10.1.13

In addition, the following are being recalled out of precaution:

Green Techina Salad, "HaMutag" brand, 400g, expiration date 18.1.13
Techina Salad, HaMutag brand, 500g, expiration date 24.2.13
Techina, Kimat Chinam brand, 700g, expiration date 24.2.13

Please call Shamir Salads costumer service line with any questions - 03-9067744