FSIS Announces Groundbreaking Outreach Program to Assist Small and Very Small Plants

The USDA's FSIS announced a groundbreaking initiative to provide the assistance necessary for small and very small plant owners to further improve their establishments' food safety programs. - Posted 5/31/06 by JBW

Congress Freezes Spending On Animal ID

The House approved a measure to withhold funding for animal ID until USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) publishes a proposed rule, setting out parameters for the plan. - Posted 5/25/06 by AHB

Japan Schedules Public Meetings On Beef Imports

Japanese officials announced two weeks of public meetings concerning proposed reopening of the Japanese market to U.S. beef will be held across the country during the month of June. - Posted 5/24/06 by AHB

First U.S. Beef To Arrive In Seoul In Mid-June

South Korean inspectors gave the go-ahead for select U.S. beef processing plants to begin shipping beef to the country.  - Posted 5/24/06 by AHB

FSIS Denies That Inspectors Are To Be Furloughed

The FSIS concedes that it is facing a difficult budgetary climate through the end of its fiscal year in September, but denied that it plans to furlough meat, poultry or egg inspectors. - Posted 5/22/06 by JBW

Meat Is Fastest-growing Organic Food Category, Survey Says

Organic meat grew 55.4 percent in 2005, making it the fastest-growing organic food category. - Posted 5/18/06 by JBW

USDA To Reconsider Grass-Fed Definition

USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service is reopening comments on a new rule defining "grass-fed" for the purposes of marketing red meat after many commenters objected that the definition was not stringent enough. - Posted 5/16/06 by JBW

Japan: Won't Be Pressured On Beef Ban

A high-ranking Japanese official, Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe, said that the government will not accept pressure from the United States to reopen its market to imports of U.S. beef. - Posted 5/15/06 by JBW

National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection To Hold Public Meetings

The USDA's FSIS announced that the National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI) will hold public meetings on May 23-24. - Posted 5/12/06 by JBW

   

Docket No. FSIS-2006-0005 - National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection

Japan: Won't Be Pressured On Beef Ban

A high-ranking Japanese official, Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe, said that the government will not accept pressure from the United States to reopen its market to imports of U.S. beef. - Posted 5/15/06 by JBW

National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection To Hold Public Meetings

The USDA's FSIS announced that the National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI) will hold public meetings on May 23-24. - Posted 5/12/06 by JBW

   

Docket No. FSIS-2006-0005 - National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection

2006 AAMP Methyl Bromide Survey

This survey is designed to assist AAMP in determining how AAMP members use Methyl Bromide and/or other fumigants for pest control.  The survey is important because Methyl Bromide usage is being phased out by the EPA due to its harmful effects on the ozone.  If your establishment uses Methyl Bromide, please complete this survey by June 16, 2006. - Posted 5/11/06 by AHB

USDA Vet Reassigned Over BSE Test Program Overpayments

A veterinarian in Madison , Wis. , has been reassigned while USDA investigates $1.2 million in overpayments identified during an audit of the BSE surveillance program. - Posted 5/11/06 by JBW

Docket No. FSIS–2005–0028 - Availability of Lists of Retail Consignees During Meat or Poultry Product Recalls

FSIS is reopening and extending the comment period for the proposed rulemaking ‘‘Availability of Lists of Retail Consignees During Meat or Poultry Product Recalls,'' which closed on May 8, 2006. - Posted 5/11/06 by JBW

FSIS Wants Ingredient Controls In HACCP Systems

Within a Federal Register notice (May 8, 2006), FSIS informed establishments that prepare meat and poultry products they need to ensure and maintain proper control over the use of ingredients, especially those that present a potential public health concern, and over the ingredient labeling of their products. - Posted 5/10/06 by JBW

AMI Releases AI Brochure In Spanish

AMI has introduced a Spanish-language version of its new brochure aimed at educating consumers about avian influenza and poultry safety. - Posted 5/10/06 by JBW

POULTRY Responds To ABC Bird Flu Movie

ABC managed to reach a new level of sensationalism with its made-for-TV movie "Fatal Contact: Bird Flu in America ", which aired last night. - Posted 5/10/06 by JBW

Leaked Memo Embarrasses USDA

An e-mail sent to about 60 Department of Agriculture employees instructing them to insert defenses of the war in Iraq into every speech they deliver for the department. - Posted 5/9/06 by JBW

ABC To Air "What If" Bird Flu Movie Tonight

ABC will air its take on the possibility of a mutation of the H5N1 virus that is transmittable from human to human in its made-for-TV movie Fatal Contact: Bird Flu in America tonight. - Posted 5/9/06 by JBW

Japan Objects To U.S. Plan To Scale Back BSE Surveillance

Japanese Agriculture Minister Shoichi Nakagawa told U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns that reducing the number of U.S. cattle tested for BSE won't be warmly received in Japan. - Posted 5/4/06 by JBW

Alabama BSE Case Untraceable

The investigation into the case of BSE in an Alabama beef cow has been completed, with authorities unable to discover the animal's herd of origin. - Posted 5/4/06 by JBW

Japan To Invoke New Drug Residue Limits In Food

The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has announced that it will adopt new maximum residue limits for veterinary drugs in food, a change that could affect the profitable U.S. pork export business. - Posted 5/3/06 by JBW

Partnership for Food Safety Education Unveils New Evolution of Popular Website

The Partnership for Food Safety Education has launched a new version of its' popular website, www.fightbac.org.  Utilizing the "core four" safe food handling messages: Clean, Separate, Cook, and Chill, the new format will make seeking food safety information easier for consumers. - Posted 5/2/06 by AHB

Food Safety Technologies Applicable for Small and Very Small Plants - FY 2004

Technologies feasible for small and very small plants and to foster their adoption to enhance the beneficial effects of new technology on food safety and public health. - Posted 5/1/06 by JBW

U.S. Processors Brace For Protests

Immigrant leaders urge Hispanics to stay home from work today to demonstrate their presence in the workforce and the economy. - Posted 5/1/06 by JBW