Category: Issue 280
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USDA Proposes Amendments to Livestock Provisions of Organic Program
The USDA has issued a proposed rule that will amend the livestock provisions of the National Organic Program by providing greater detail about pasture and ruminant animals and “clarify the replacement animal provision for dairy animals.” Comments must be submitted on or before December 23, 2008. The Federal Register notice provides a history of the…
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FTC Target of Merger Challenge Proclaims Proposed Rule Changes Unfair
Whole Foods Market, Inc., which is currently litigating the FTC’s challenge to its merger with Wild Oats Markets, has submitted comments on the commission’s proposed merger rule changes and is urging others to join its “Ad Hoc Committee for FTC Fair Play” to do so as well. Apparently, the FTC will allow comments for only…
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Doctors Report Increase in Pediatric Kidney Stones
Pediatric urologists and nephrologists across the United States have reportedly noted an increase in the number of kidney stones diagnosed in children. An ailment commonly associated with middle-aged men, kidney stones are typically formed when “oxalate, a byproduct of certain foods, binds to calcium in the urine,” according to an October 29,2008, New York Times…
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Research Suggests Red-Meat Eaters Primed for E. Coli
According to researchers in Australia and the United States, those who persistently eat red meat may be more susceptible to E. coli infection. Apparently, the meat contains sugar molecules, Neu5Gc, that accumulate in cells lining the intestines and blood vessels and act as a “magnet” for E. coli toxins. The scientists reportedly tested the affinity of…
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Faye Flam, “Male Interrupted,” Philadelphia Inquirer, October 27, 2008
Inquirer staff writer Faye Flam begins her piece on phthalates and possible human health effects by reporting that a Philadelphia surgeon is seeing double the number of baby boys, since he started practice 30 years ago, in need of repairs to their genitalia. Surgeon Howard Snyder hypothesizes that some of them have been exposed to…
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Melamine in Animal Feed is Widespread Practice
According to a news source, the Chinese press is reporting that melamine is commonly used in animal feed “to reduce product costs while maintaining protein count for quality inspections.” The Nanfang Daily apparently calls the practice an “open secret” in the industry. Unnamed industry analysts reportedly said that such news reports constitute “an unusual departure for…
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Australian Industry Group Announces Responsible Children’s Marketing Initiative
The Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) recently released a Responsible Children’s Marketing Initiative in response to “community concerns about food and beverage advertising during children’s television programs.” AFGC developed the initiative after the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) published its draft Children’s Television Standards 2008, which did not recommend further government regulation of…
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University of Arkansas Offers L.L.M. in Agricultural Law
The University of Arkansas School of Law has announced that it will be accepting applications for graduate studies in agricultural law beginning in fall 2009. The nine-month course, billed as the only one of its kind in the nation, covers a range of issues from farm to fork, including labeling law, food policy, sustainability, biotechnology, international…