That’s Odd

Sesame has joined the list of major food allergens defined by law, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The change, which went into effect on January 1, comes as a result of the Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education and Research Act, or FASTER Act, which was signed into law in April 2021. The FDA had been reviewing whether to put sesame seeds on the major food allergens list – which also includes milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat and soybeans – for several years. Adding sesame to the major food allergens list means foods containing sesame will be subject to specific food allergen regulatory requirements, including those regarding labeling and manufacturing. The FDA conducts inspections and sampling of food products to check that major food allergens are properly labeled on products and to determine whether food facilities are preventing allergen cross-contact, according to the agency’s website. Before the FASTER Act, the FDA recommended food manufacturers voluntarily list sesame as an ingredient on food labels in November 2020. The guidance wasn’t a requirement and was intended to help people with sesame allergies identify foods that may contain the seed. Under regulations before the 2020 recommendation, sesame had to be declared on a label if whole seeds were used as an ingredient. But labeling wasn’t required when sesame was used as a flavor or in a spice blend. It also wasn’t required for a product such as tahini, which is made from ground sesame paste. Some people aren’t aware that tahini is made from sesame seeds.

Plane Tails

Adopting an adorable feline may send you flying high. Frontier Airlines has offered free vouchers to people who adopt one of three kittens named Spirit, Delta, and Frontier from the Las Vegas Animal Foundation. A representative for Frontier Airlines said that adopters who take home Spirit or Delta will receive two vouchers valued at $250, for a total of $500 in vouchers “per pet parent.” The person that adopts the kitten named Frontier will receive four vouchers valued at $250, for a total of $1,000 in vouchers. “We were delighted the rescue organization decided to name these three adorable kitties after airlines, including ours,” Frontier said in a statement. “Underscoring the plight of animals is near and dear to us.” The “Plane Tails” program is an example of the airline’s commitment to animal welfare. Each aircraft is decorated with an animal on its tail, many of them from threatened or endangered species. “We were more than happy to provide a little extra incentive to encourage the adoption of these three precious kittens,” the airline said. The Animal Foundation, a Las Vegas-based nonprofit, said that the three kittens arrived at the facility at the end of December. The kittens had been found in north Las Vegas. The tiny felines are just around two weeks old and are currently staying with a foster family. Once they’re six weeks old and weigh at least 1.5 pounds, they’ll be ready to be adopted to their forever homes. “It’s unusual to have a litter of kittens in the shelter this time of year, so when we had these three itty bitty fluff balls arrive at The Animal Foundation, we knew we had to give them special names,” Kelsey Pizzi, communications manager

The Jewish Home | JANUARY 12, 2023 2 Men, 7 Continents, 4 Days

Ali Irani and Sujoy Kumar Mitra were on a mission. The Indian men set out from Antarctica on December 4 and managed to visit all seven continents in just four days. They completed their whirlwind journey in Melbourne, Australia, on December 7. The total time spent dashing between continents? Three days, 1 hour, 5 minutes, and 4 seconds. The men beat the previous record of 3 days, 14 hours, 46 minutes, and 48 seconds, which was set by United Arab Emirates woman Khawla AlRomaithi in 2020. Despite their exhilaration, the record-breakers said they do not expect their title to last. As passionate travelers, they believe that records are made to be broken. “Today we might be successful in breaking a record, tomorrow someone else will break our record,” Mitra told Guinness World Records. And now, dear reader, can you name all seven continents? Education is ageless. That’s the lesson that we learn from Joan Donovan, an 89-year-old Florida woman who recently celebrated receiving her master’s degree. The graduate donned a cap and gown for a private graduation ceremony outside her Florida home to celebrate earning her degree in creative writing from Southern New Hampshire University. The octogenarian said she graduated high school at age 16, but her family didn’t have the money to send her to college. Although she took some post-graduate courses at the local high school, when she got married, her education fell to the wayside. Since then, after her children had grown and moved out of their home, Donovan went back to school for her associate’s degree. Determined to keep going, she graduated with a bachelor’s degree from a four-year university at age 84. “Then I said, ‘Why not keep going?’” Donovan queried. She determined she wanted to earn her master’s in creative writing, but her college didn’t offer a program. She ended up enrolling in SNHU’s online program to pursue her goal. “I was afraid to try college,” Donovan said. “So I say, ‘Try things.’ If you fail, try it again…but just keep trying.” Wise words that we’ll take to heart. This job is a real wiener. Oscar Meyer recently announced that it is recruiting the next class of drivers for its iconic Wienermobile. The year-long “Hot Dogger” gig is available for recent college graduates. Each driver selected will visit over 20 states in the hot-dog-shaped vehicle, travel more than 200,000 miles, serve as an Oscar Mayer spokesperson at over 200 events per year, and document their journeys on social media. Seeking this position that will earn lots of condiments? Better apply soon. There are a total of 12 Wienermobile driver positions available for 2023. And the competition is fierce: in past years, less than 1% of applicants were selected. What could help you “ketchup” to the competition? Ideal candidates are “outgoing, creative, friendly, enthusiastic, graduating college seniors who have an appetite for adventure and are willing to see the country through the windshield of the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile,” says the company in an online job posting. A bachelor’s degree in public relations, journalism, communications, advertising, or marketing is a plus. Frankly, the role may be meatier than it appears on the surface. In addition to driving the Wienermobile across the country, drivers will also act as brand ambassadors for Oscar Mayer, organizing promotions and representing the company’s meat products in interviews and at events. The full-time role comes with a “competitive salary.” To top it off, expenses, benefits, and team apparel will be covered by Oscar Mayer, although the food is decidedly not kosher. Don’t be a sauerkraut. Apply today.