Like with seedwatch, it would be nice to have a plugin which periodically checks the stocks for new sorts of tallow and forbids them in the kitchen settings. At least, until a configurable minimum number of soap bars are in the stocks/hospitals.

It would make sense for drinks as well, allowing to cook them when they are abundant, and forbid once the amount goes below a threshold.

All this (seeds, plants, drinks, tallow) is relatively similar in function, so it could/should be handled by the same plugin. Configuring the threshold(s) could be done with the lua-UI stuff; see workflow, autobutcher etc.