Food & Water Watch has filed suit against the USDA because the agency will not release the names of companies that have applied to switch to a voluntary program that allows for non-government poultry inspections.
Ready-to-eat ham recalled for possible rubber material
Algona, WA-based 502 Boundary Blvd. Inc., formerly known as Fletcher’s Fine Foods Ltd., is recalling approximately 8,694 pounds of ham products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically rubber, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced Wednesday. 
The products were produced and packed by Sofina Foods, a London, Ont.,…
Water not up to EPA standards brings pork sausage recall
Catawissa, PA-based Bunge’s Meats recalled an undetermined amount of pork sausage products on Thursday that were produced with water that did not meet the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) drinking water standards, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). 
The various pork sausage items were produced between Feb. 24 and…
Arizona tamales recalled because meat was produced without federal inspection
Tucson Tamale Wholesale Company LLC of Tucson, AZ, is recalling approximately 915 pounds of beef tamale products that contain meat produced without the benefit of federal inspection, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced Friday. 
The ready-to-eat beef tamales were produced on various dates from Aug. 11 to Sept. 13,…
Congressional battle continues over federal catfish regulation
House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-WI, may want to wait until after the Nov. 8 election, when the House of Representatives returns for the lame-duck session, to decide whether there will be a vote on the nation’s new and evolving catfish program. Every week that goes by sees the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s new program for…
Colorado company recalls beef products linked to E. coli illness
Good Food Concepts LLC, doing business as Ranch Foods Direct of Colorado Springs, CO, is recalling about 2,600 pounds of non-intact beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced Tuesday.
Based on epidemiological investigation, one case-patient has been identified in Colorado …
Don’t let foodborne pathogens poison summer celebrations
While you’re enjoying the Fourth of July holiday with picnics, barbecues, traveling to see family and friends, or just relaxing at home, remember to include safe food handling practices to help keep foodborne pathogens out of the celebrations. The dangers posed by foodborne pathogens increase during hot weather and around water, as indicated by a…
USDA introduces ‘fix’ in testing for Salmonella in poultry
Instructions for testing personnel to use a new “neutralizing buffer” solution to reduce the effect of antimicrobial sanitizers take effect today at USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). The “fix,” explained in a two-page FSIS Notice, is intended to address a problem turned up in research by USDA’s Agriculture Research Service (ARS). [caption…
Pulled pork products recalled in Missouri for misbranding
Burger’s Ozark County Cured of California, MO, is recalling approximately 150 pounds of pulled pork products due to misbranding, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced on Friday, May 27. The seasoned pulled pork items were produced and packaged on Jan. 26, 2016. The product has the correct label on…
Spending Bill Includes $104-Million Increase for FSMA, COOL Repeal
Late Tuesday night, the House of Representatives released a $1.1-trillion spending bill to fund the federal government through the end of the fiscal year, which is Sept. 30, 2016. Lobbyists for full funding of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) were pleased with the numbers. The Food and Drug Administration will receive a total of…