Just as the U.S. Department of Agriculture recommended a grant of inspection for what could become the first U.S. horse slaughterhouse following a five-year federal ban, actor Robert Redford has made a public call for banning horse slaughter, via a letter written to horse welfare organization Equine Advocates. “Horses have always been very important in my life and I feel strongly that they need our protection from any kind of abuse, especially slaughter,” Redford begins. He goes on to compare the treatment of horses in the U.S. to the treatment of dogs and cats, and laments the desire of a “small group of special interests” who want to breed horses to profit from their meat. “The entire slaughter process is cruel and inhumane and perpetuates abuse and neglect without consequences, in addition to condoning a violation of our nation’s cruelty laws,” he continues. He also highlights the concern that horse slaughter allows for a “swift cover-up” of horse theft. For now, the future of U.S. horse slaughter remains up in the air, as the Obama Administration has suggested excluding money for inspectors at horse slaughterhouses from the 2014 budget. Beyond that, Congress may choose to extend the five-year ban. Food Safety News published a report on the potential for horse slaughter to begin in New Mexico yesterday.
The News Desk team at Food Safety News covers breaking developments, regulatory updates, recalls, and key topics shaping food safety today. These articles are produced collaboratively by our editorial staff.
A consent decree filed in a federal court in Minnesota bars Gold Star Distribution Inc. from distributing food because of persistent insanitary conditions.
The company had been distributing products including
If approved, California's Bill 2244 would allow for certified labels to be placed on foods that don’t fall under the state’s definition of ultra-processed foods.
As part of its enforcement activities, the Food and Drug Administration sends warning letters to entities under its jurisdiction. Some letters are not posted for public view until weeks or
The Food and Drug Administration uses import alerts to enforce U.S. food safety regulations for food from foreign countries. The agency updates and modifies the alerts as needed.
Recent
Deano’s Pasta of Somerville, MA, is recalling 20 pounds of Pear and Pecorino Triangoli Ravioli, because it may contain undeclared Lobster.
People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity
Galil Importing Corp. of Hauppauge, NY, is recalling Lior Cinnamon Ground Seasoning because it has the potential to be contaminated with elevated levels of lead.
Short term exposures to very
Fontanini Foods LLC of McCook, IL, is recalling 2,320 pounds of raw, frozen pork breakfast sausage products that may be contaminated with foreign material, specifically clear, hard plastic, the
Sempio Food Services Inc. of Cerritos, CA, is recalling 4,596 pounds of ready-to-eat chicken stew products that were imported from the Republic of Korea without the benefit