Category: Department of Agriculture
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DOJ Plans to Oppose Counsel Fee Request in African-American Discrimination Suit
According to a press report, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) plans to oppose the request for $90.8 million in attorney’s fees filed by counsel for African-American farmers who sued the U.S. Department of Agriculture for discrimination in the administration of farm loan programs. Additional information about the fee petition appears in Issue 405 of…
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USDA Denies New York City’s Plan to Ban Food Stamp Use for Soda
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has rejected New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s (I) plan to prohibit residents from using food stamps to buy sugar-sweetened beverages and soda. In October 2010, Bloomberg and state officials had proposed a two-year experiment that would exclude the drinks from USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in an…
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USDA Proposes Plan to Improve Animal Disease Traceability
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a proposed rule that would establish regulations to improve the traceability of livestock moving interstate when disease has been identified. According to APHIS, the proposal aims to provide a new “adoptable approach that will help us find animals associated with a…
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NOP Allows Continued Use of 12 Substances in Organic Production
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Organic Program (NOP) has issued a final rule renewing exemptions for 12 substances on the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances, which governs the use of synthetic and nonsynthetic ingredients in organic production and handling. After reviewing public input, the National Organic Standards Board recommended renewals for the…
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FSIS Issues Health Alert for Ongoing Salmonella Outbreak
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a public health alert “due to concerns about illnesses caused by Salmonella Heidelberg that may be associated with the use and consumption of ground turkey.” According to FSIS, an epidemiological investigation led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and…
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FSIS Proposes New Labeling for Injected Raw Meat, Poultry
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a proposed rule that would require raw meat and poultry products that contain injected marinades or solutions to be named in a way that clearly distinguishes them from 100 percent meat or poultry products. According to FSIS, consumers are likely unaware that“enhanced products”…
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New York Times Covers GE Bluegrass Controversy
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) recent decision to exempt genetically engineered (GE) Kentucky bluegrass from federal approval has reportedly stirred debate over how the agency regulates biotech crops, with some critics calling the outcome “a blatant end-run around regulatory oversight.” According to a July 1, 2011, press release, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection…
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Federal Agencies Address Salmonella in Meat, Poultry, Shell Eggs
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has announced an expansion of the Salmonella Initiative Program (SIP) to help industry reduce foodborne pathogens in raw meat and poultry products. The agency has extended the comment period to September 12, 2011. According to FSIS, the voluntary, incentive-based program allows “participating establishments…