Food Safety
Administration wants to combine FSIS and FDA
There’s long been talk about creating a single federal food safety agency. That may become a reality if Congress grants the Obama Administration authority to reorganize the government.
FULL STORY »
Resistance blame game – humans first?
Livestock have been repeatedly implicated as the source of antimicrobial resistance, but new research from Scotland shows that, at least in the case of Salmonella Typhimurium DT104, resistance profiles are often showing up in humans before animals.
Guy Loneragan, BVSc, PhD, offers some information to put this new research in context.
FULL STORY »
Nonambulatory livestock slaughter bill resurfaces
For yet the fifth time, U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-N.Y.), has introduced legislation to ban all nonambulatory livestock from entering the food system and require that they be euthanized.
FULL STORY »
Scientists urge balance in antimicrobial resistance war
Antimicrobial resistance in humans is often attributed to veterinary use of antimicrobials, but the relative contribution to the problem from animals and humans is poorly understood at the population level, University of Glasgow researchers outline in a new report.
FULL STORY »
Cephalosporin restrictions get mixed reviews
A flurry of activity related to antimicrobial use in animal agriculture took place in the New Year, starting with U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s announcement to limit extra-label use of certain cephalosporin products in cattle, hogs, chickens and turkeys. It’s getting some mixed, but generally positive reviews.
FULL STORY »
FDA to end "extra-label" use of some antimicrobials
Antibiotic issues are back in the spotlight as the New Year gets underway. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an order that will prohibit certain uses of the cephalosporin class of antimicrobial drugs in cattle, swine, chickens and turkeys.
FULL STORY »
Foodborne illness costs decline
Foodborne illnesses can be costly in more ways than one, but at least from an economic impact standpoint the trend line is pointing down.
FULL STORY »
Animal scientists react to FDA antibiotic policy
The FDA announced last week that it would close hearings on the potential risks of “subtherapeutic” antibiotic use in food animals. This announcement means the FDA will no longer pursue the withdrawal of the antibiotics penicillin and tetracycline from use in animal feed. Though some object to the policy change, FDA announcement actually comes at the recommendation of several leading animal scientists.
FULL STORY »
FDA drug action on hold
Last week the FDA backed off its original intent to withdraw certain antimicrobials from food-animals.
FULL STORY »
Animal Traceability Rule comments end; awaiting the next step
USDA’s comment period for the proposed national livestock identification program came to a close on Dec. 9. NPPC supports a mandatory traceability program and submitted comments on behalf of the Swine Identification Implementation Task Force.
FULL STORY »
USDA awards food-safety grants
Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan visited Michigan State University today to announce that USDA has awarded 17 grants to improve the safety of the food supply in the United States.
FULL STORY »
- Ag markets moved generally higher Wednesday
- Infrastructure limits ag export growth, economist says
- Beetles, housefly larvae open new frontier in animal feed sector
- Oil pressured by Bernanke comments, crude stocks up
- Repainting “American Gothic:” Number of women farming triples
- Commentary: Severely ticked off
- Commentary: Ag must resist HSUS 'divide and conquer' strategy
- Outbreak of PEDV spreads to 13 U.S. states
- Smithfield Foods bid reflects China’s quality issues
- Finding the comedy in ag-gag
- National Pork Board elects new officers; Richter to lead
- Will Smith dethroned in latest Peterson Farm Bros. parody
