Can I use a "brand name" product in my recipe without permission from the maker of the brand product?

I am sure this is not a problem. It is free advertising for them and not libeling them in any way. I see this done all the time in recipes.

There is nothing illegal in per se mentioning a brand name. As long as you're not disparaging it you should get no complaint from its owner.

Another consideration, however, is that your readers may take it as a promotion of the brand, and some of them may look askance on it, damaging your credibility. You could avoid that problem by explaining why your recipe needs that particular named product rather than one sold under a different label.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.