Statewide standards for cottage food producers could be dead in Idaho for this year since that state’s legislature is headed for an early April adjournment. Opposition from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare may have derailed House Bill 187, which had won a “do pass” recommendation from the
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CDC: Outbreak from Raw Goat’s Milk Sickened 11 in Idaho in 2014
At least 11 people in Idaho were sickened with Cryptosporidiosis in August 2014 after consuming unpasteurized goat’s milk, according to a new report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 
This is the first public announcement of outbreak. The outbreak first came to the attention of health
Continue Reading CDC: Outbreak from Raw Goat’s Milk Sickened 11 in Idaho in 2014
Legislatures Weigh Bills on Soda Labels, Microbeads, Marijuana, Powdered Alcohol, Among Others
State legislatures remain in session from Alabama to Wyoming, with food safety mostly getting only a light touch from lawmakers who seem largely focused on budgets and education in this non-election year. In Alabama, where a new cottage food bill took effect last June 1, Extension services are getting
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Mercy Goes After Big Cheese With Video Taken at NM Dairy
The Los Angeles-based Mercy for Animals has a knack for uncovering animal abuse, often in isolated places, that is the kind imposing enough stress and pain to also be a food safety concern and egregious enough to bring condemnation by world-renowned animal-welfare experts. 
A week ago, the group shared its
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Main Concerns About Idaho’s ‘Ag-Gag’ Law Survive State’s Dismissal Motion
Animal activists cannot sue Idaho Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter, and one part of the Gem State’s agricultural protection law stands without review. But U.S. District Court Judge B. Lynn Winmill is allowing a challenge to four other sections of Idaho’s “ag-gag” law to go forward on the basis of three
Continue Reading Main Concerns About Idaho’s ‘Ag-Gag’ Law Survive State’s Dismissal Motion
Lawyers File Briefs While Awaiting Judge’s Decision on Idaho ‘Ag-Gag’ Case
Idaho’s top federal judge has a reputation for enjoying “zealous advocacy” by smart lawyers. But it isn’t known whether U.S. District Court Judge B. Lynn Winmill views as all that helpful briefs filed after final oral arguments on an issue. After final oral arguments on June 26 in Boise over
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Amicus Brief: Idaho’s New ‘Ag-Gag’ Law is About Conduct, Not Speech
Idaho agriculture has brought out a big gun to help get a challenge to the state’s so-called “ag-gag” law thrown out of federal court. In an amicus curiae (friend of the court) brief, Idaho agricultural groups are asking the U.S. District Court in Boise to dismiss a lawsuit brought against
Continue Reading Amicus Brief: Idaho’s New ‘Ag-Gag’ Law is About Conduct, Not Speech
Idaho Joins Utah in Asking Federal Court to Dismiss ‘Ag-Gag’ Lawsuit
Idaho wants a federal court to dismiss a lawsuit brought against the state by the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF). “ALDF attacks a statute it wishes had passed,” say attorneys for Idaho Gov. C.L “Butch” Otter and Attorney General Lawrence Wasden. “The statute actually passed has nothing to do with
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Denver Law Professors File Second Legal Challenge to ‘Ag-Gag’ Laws
A pair of constitutional law professors from the University of Denver has given themselves two shots at overturning so-called state “ag-gag” laws. Among the common features of “ag-gag” laws is a prohibition against taking pictures or making videos without permission, sanctions for not being truthful in a job application, and
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Idaho Governor Signs ‘Ag-Gag’ Bill into Law
On Friday, Idaho Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter signed into law a controversial bill to protect animal production facilities from outside interference. The law took effect with the governor’s signature. Otter signed Senate Bill 1337 just after Chobani yogurt founder Hamdi Ulukaya broke with the rest of the $2.4-billion Idaho dairy
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