Federal Agencies & Regulators
Already laden with PCB, lead, arsenic and other contaminants, aquatic life - including spot fin chub, ashy darter, newly introduced lake sturgeon - in Emory River and larger Tennessee River system now face more toxic chemicals, possible suffocation from massive coal ash spill. Sediment, water samples near spill show high amounts of arsenic, with one sample containing more than 149 times the maximum safe level.
By Andy Johns
The Chattanooga Times Free Press 2008-01-03 (entry)
Obama's nominees for homeland security, labor and commerce posts are on right track to reverse Bush administration's immigration tactics, which attacked problem upside down, backward. Two share well-informed disdain for foolish, inadequate schemes like the border fence; the third is staunch defender of immigrants and workers, like those found working at hellish slaughterhouse in Iowa (for update click 'See also').
The editors
The New York Times 2008-12-26 (entry)
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Coal ash spill 50 times larger than that of Exxon-Valdez - now covering 400 acres with toxic sludge oozing toward drinking water for some in Tennessee, Kentucky and Alabama - calls out 'clean coal' myth. Human nature is to take cheap way today and leave mess for future, but that mess is now. And: High levels of arsenic detected in water near spill; EPA, TVA advise avoiding activities that could stir up drying dust - children playing outside, pets outdoors (click 'See also').
The editors
The Anniston Star 2008-12-30 (entry)
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Public health advocates, pointing to diet-related disease epidemic and record levels of food stamp use, look to skirt paternalism but to link food assistance, school meals to good nutrition. Program that doubles value of food stamps and fruit and vegetable vouchers of low-income mothers, seniors at farmers' markets in San Diego is instant hit - sales soared by more than 200 percent.
By Jane Black
The Washington Post 2008-12-24 (entry)
After report criticizes FDA conclusion that leaching chemical used for food cans, baby bottles is safe (click 'See also'), agency plans 'large research effort' to gauge bisphenol A's effects. Critics call plan redundant, waste of taxpayer dollars.
By Will Dunham
Reuters 2008-12-15 (entry)
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With FDA OK of herb stevia as a zero-calorie sweetener, Coca-Cola introduces Sprite Green and Pepsi launches three flavors of a zero-calorie SoBe Lifewater, plans March launch of Trop50, an orange-juice drink. And: Such sweeteners are key in reversing sales decline of carbonated soft drinks, says Pepsi head (click 'See also').
By Betsy McKay
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2008-12-18 (entry)
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Improving school meals, which provide more than half a student's food, nutrient intake during school day, could slow childhood obesity epidemic, says report for USDA. Students ages 5-18 eat 50 percent or less of vegetables recommended; those 9-18 eat 50 percent of fruit recommended. And: Limiting competitive foods in cafeterias to fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and nonfat or low-fat milk, dairy products would aid effort (click 'See also').
By Christopher Doering
Reuters 2008-12-17 (entry)
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Concentrated animal feeding operations - factory farms - exempted from reporting hazardous emissions from manure. EPA says requirements created unnecessary burden, weren't acted upon. Factory farms produce more waste than Philadelphia annually. And: Livestock producers whose emissions meet or exceed specific thresholds are subject to Clean Air Act requirements, GAO says (click 'See also').
By Stephen Power
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2008-12-12 (entry)
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Tom Vilsack's selection as Obama's USDA secretary may be 'agribusiness as usual,' since words 'food' or 'eaters' unspoken in news conference, says Michael Pollan, author. Food system responsible for one-third greenhouse gases, 'catastrophic' diet that causes chronic disease in half the U.S. population and drives up health care costs (click 'See also'). Food must be included in plan to address climate change, energy independence, health care.
By Renee Montagne
National Public Radio/Morning Edition 2008-12-18 (entry)
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Water flow to California cities, San Joaquin farmers further reduced to protect endangered delta smelt, avert ecological collapse of water crossroads. Contamination, invasive species, power plant operations, climate all damaging Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, says water director. Agriculture interests want new reservoirs, homeowners urged to conserve.
By Bettina Boxall
Los Angeles Times 2008-12-15 (entry)
If Tom Vilsack confirmed as USDA secretary, Iowa (No. 1 in corn, hogs, ethanol) will have one of its own heading agency that dispenses federal crop subsidies, controls nearly two million acres of Iowa land, regulates state's many slaughterhouses. He's sympathetic to agribusiness giants, supports biofuels, agricultural biotechnology. And: Former governor will oversee $95 billion budget, with bulk going to nutrition - food stamps, school lunches (click 'See also').
By Philip Brasher
The Des Moines Register 2008-12-16 (entry)
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As use of nanotechnology grows and researchers plan for use of tiny particles as food additives, in medical treatments and in electronics, report lists serious gaps in federal plan for determining risks and calls for ensuring safety of workers, consumers, environment. And: Studies are lagging behind technology (click 'See also'). One nanometer equals a billionth of a meter.
By Julie Steenhuysen
Reuters 2008-12-10 (entry)
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New website offers access to information about public health, agriculture, and connects the two fields. Johns Hopkins University site, a project of its Center for a Livable Future (click 'See also') links communities, organizations, individuals. Site allows search of databases, vetted collection of reports, journal articles.
By Karla Cook
The Food Times 2008-12-14 (entry)
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Millions of fish, other animals harmed annually in power plant cooling water intake. Supreme Court should side with literal interpretation of Clean Water Act (click 'See also'). Technology choices should minimize negative environmental impact before costs.
The editors
The Washington Post 2008-12-03 (entry)
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Obama needs secretary of food, not USDA - to address health care, climate change, energy independence. 'Department of Food' would give primacy to America's 300 million eaters, cut influence of industrial farm lobby, which inflicts unhealthy food on children through school lunches and exacerbates crisis of obesity, diabetes. And: Petition lists terrific reformist candidates (click 'See also').
By Nicholas D. Kristof
The New York Times 2008-12-11 (entry)
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FDA reverses itself, continuing to allow use of cephalosporin drugs - powerful antibiotics- in food animals after calling the practice a public-health risk in July. Worry is that excessive use of antibiotics - including in animals - can promote resistance, produce life-threatening bacteria in humans.
By Alicia Mundy and Jared Favole
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2008-12-09 (entry)
One president-elect, 30 environmental groups, 391 pages of recommendations. Transition to Green (click 'See also') farming proposals include renewing conservation contracts for 18 million acres, better enforcing erosion control rules, ending crop subsidies for newly broken native prairie. Most need neither Congressional approval nor new spending authority.
By Philip Brasher
The Des Moines Register 2008-12-07 (entry)
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Reports (click 'See also') show agriculture today - heavily subsidized industry supported by commodity groups, paid scientists, friends in Washington - is fault of Democratic and Republican administrations. Obama should choose agriculture secretary unafraid of change, create National Food Policy Council and food czar, move nutrition programs out of USDA.
By Bruce Friedrich
The Huffington Post 2008-12-07 (entry)
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With cheap food looming as crisis-in-the-making, Obama should consider a Cabinet-level agency over all food safety, enforcement and research. With low price as king, conglomerates trade foods from all over, and corners are cut. In U.S., 12 agencies administer 35 different food safety laws. Consumers must seek out sustainably produced foods - and vote with their pocketbooks.
By Aleda Roth
San Francisco Chronicle 2008-11-29 (entry)
New agriculture secretary faces daunting agenda: improved food safety; expanded food stamp benefits; healthier, fresher foods for school meals; tighter limits on farm subsidies; more agricultural research; and rural economic development. Opinion: Secretary must make good on Obama's campaign vows of policing meat packers' pricing practices; protecting land and water and investing in local foods and sustainable agriculture (click 'See also').
By Charles Abbott
Reuters 2008-11-25 (entry)
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Radical transformation expected at EPA, which holds sway over water, air pollution, and Department of Interior, which administers Endangered Species Act, federal land holdings. Interior will cope with climate change already happening - droughts, wildfires; EPA will lead regulatory response. And: Leading candidates for environmental jobs (click 'See also').
By Juliet Eilperin
The Washington Post 2008-11-28 (entry)
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Bush-Cheney plan to measure emissions of coal-burning power plants hourly instead of annually could mean more pollution - and enormous cost to public health, planet. And: Fish from Catskills waterways unsafe to eat; they and their predators - bald eagles - contaminated with methylmercury, a power-plant toxin. (click 'See also') .
The editors
The New York Times 2008-11-28 (entry)
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Number of Americans on food stamps nears record; visits to food pantries in D.C. area up 20 to 100 percent. Rising unemployment, rising food prices among causes - food-stamp benefit fell below cost of USDA's thriftiest diet for a family of four. In U.S., 11.9 million people went hungry at some point last year, including 700,000 children.
By Jane Black
The Washington Post 2008-11-25 (entry)
Payments to rich farmers in 2003-'06 totaled $49 million and expose USDA problems, GAO says, but agency says it lacks authority to check payments against tax returns. Payments favor wheat, corn, rice, cotton growers; produce growers don't receive direct subsidies. And: Obama says unwarranted payments are prime example of waste he intends to end (click 'See also').
By Michael Doyle
McClatchy Newspapers 2008-11-25 (entry)
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In move that could impede investigation of snowpack loss and its impact on
salmon, proposed changes to Endangered Species Act would exclude climate change
from triggers for review of federal projects. Bush administration argues language eliminates 'back door to climate-change policy' (click 'See also').
By Juliet Eilperin
The Washington Post 2008-11-21 (entry)
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Panel OKs criteria for 'organic' label for farmed fish, pleasing producers but angering environment, consumer advocates. They question rule allowing up to 25 percent of wild fish as feed (organic meats require 100 percent organic food) and note that open-net pens allow fish waste, disease to pollute ocean. And: One-third of world's fish catch - mostly anchovies, menhaden, sardines - is fed to animals but should feed people, scientists say (click 'See also').
By Juliet Eilperin and Jane Black
The Washington Post 2008-11-20 (entry)
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FDA opens China office to certify inspections of U.S.-bound products. Food safety problems, plus China's growing role as food, drug supplier to U.S. - $320 billion in products were imported to U.S. last year - prompted strategy change. Food science expert in China doubts effectiveness of move, citing dozens of pesticides available and a thousand different poisonous possibilities.
By Maureen Fan
The Washington Post 2008-11-19 (entry)
Melamine has pervaded U.S. food system. It's added to fertilizer and accumulates in the farm fields. Last year, millions ate chicken that had been fed tainted gluten from China; Tyson Foods butchered hogs that had eaten tainted feed too. Meat was not recalled. China melamine scandal is opportunity for U.S. to pass fertilizer standards and to test for chemical.
By James E. McWilliams
The New York Times 2008-11-17 (entry)
With rocket fuel component in drinking water of 35 states and its documented toxicity to humans, scientists argue that EPA decision not to regulate perchlorate needs 'compelling scientific basis.' Rule was based on industry-funded computer model; critics say CDC studies ignored. Opinion: Congress should require EPA to explain disregard of toxin that reduces thyroid function, creates risk of lifelong lower IQ for babies (click 'See also').
By Juliet Eilperin
The Washington Post 2008-11-14 (entry)
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China-made sweets made with milk stopped for testing at U.S. border in effort to keep melamine-tainted goods from reaching stores. FDA, taking cue from other countries, increases scrutiny of goods on shelves. Agency should have acted earlier; problems with melamine are deeper than FDA acknowledges, says House member. And: Retracing path of toxin from greedy chemical companies to poor farmers in China (click 'See also').
By Annys Shin
The Washington Post 2008-11-14 (entry)
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FDA begins updating 1986 standards for processing, packaging, storage of food. USDA inspects meat plants daily; FDA has no such requirement for food processing plants. Poll shows consumers want labels identifying: country of origin of processed and packaged foods; products from cloned or genetically engineered animals; meat treated with carbon monoxide to maintain red color; irradiated items.
By Jane Byrne
nutraingredients.com 2008-11-13 (entry)
Food, shelter, doctor visits are only priorities in consumer pocketbook lockdown as layoffs accelerate, so other industries suffer. And: One-percentage-point increase in unemployment rate leads to 700,000 more food stamp recipients in first year and eventually, 1.3 million more food stamp recipients, says 2002 USDA report (click 'See also').
By Aaron Smith
CNN Money 2008-11-07 (entry)
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Analysts, lobbyists speculate on USDA appointment: Tom Buis from National Farmers Union; Tom Vilsack, former Iowa governor; Charles Stenholm, veteran Congressman who helped shape 1990, 2002 farm laws; Marshall Matz, lawyer with interest in school nutrition; Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius; South Dakota Representative and biofuels activist Stephanie Sandlin; Roger Johnson, North Dakota agriculture commissioner; Rod Nilsestuen, Wisconsin agriculture secretary; Senator John Tester, organic farmer from Montana. And: Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Kathleen McGinty named as EPA contenders (click 'See also').
By Charles Abbott
Reuters 2008-11-05 (entry)
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Barack Obama won the presidential election with promise to address things beyond the power of individuals: ensuring food safety, clean air, regulating economy fairly, ensuring access to health care and educating children. He will now need the support of all Americans.
The editors
The New York Times 2008-11-05 (entry)
In waning days of power, Bush administration works to relax drinking-water standards, ease controls on carbon dioxide emissions of pollutants from power plants and other factories, remove environmental impact statement requirement for some commercial ocean fishing interests, and lift restriction of mountaintop-removal coal mining in Appalachians.
By R. Jeffrey Smith
The Washington Post 2008-10-31 (entry)
Panel, in highly critical report, recommends that FDA redo its risk assessment of BPA, the leaching chemical in food can linings, hard plastic baby bottles. Favorable draft report used flawed methods and ignored evidence linking bisphenol A to cancer, diabetes, possibly brain development in infants, advisory board said.
By Annys Shin
The Washington Post 2008-10-28 (entry)
Government's dash to effectively repeal key water protections during mountaintop removal coal mining likely a response to presidential candidates' opposition to environmentally ruinous practice. In 2002, EPA rewrote rules that had prohibited use of mining waste as 'fill' in streams, wetlands. And: Rubble from mountaintop removal fouls drinking water, kills fish (click 'See also').
The editors
The New York Times 2008-10-21 (entry)
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FDA reviews petition for ban on eight artificial food colors and request for warning labels on foods that contain them. Group cites studies linking hyperactivity to consumption of dyes, some made from petrochemicals and coal tar. In UK, Kellogg switched to beetroot red, annatto and paprika extract to color strawberry Nutri-Grain Cereal Bars; in U.S., they're tinted with Red 40, Yellow 6 and Blue 1.
By Melinda Fulmer
Los Angeles Times 2008-10-13 (entry)
Anti-regulation activist who says bisphenol A is 'perfectly safe' gave $5 million to research center of FDA panel head due to rule on chemical's safety. FDA draft, which says products made with BPA are safe for food, relied on industry-funded studies. And: Scientists urge 'aggressive action' to limit exposure after study notes that higher levels of BPA in body correspond with higher rates of heart disease, diabetes and liver abnormalities (click 'See also').
By Susanne Rust and Meg Kissinger
Journal Sentinel (Milwaukee, WI) 2008-10-11 (entry)
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About 300 chicken slaughterhouse workers arrested in South Carolina immigration raid. Raid follows 10-month probe into hiring practices; seven supervisors at plant have pleaded guilty to falsifying documents. Manager charged with felony immigration fraud. And: Workers linked to other Columbia Farms plants wonder if they're next (click 'See also').
By Eric Connor and Paul Alongi
The Greenville News 2008-10-07 (entry)
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Congress must ensure that FDA has budget for transparent assessments of genetically engineered animal products. New standards, which require producers to show that inserted genes do not harm animal's health and that any food from genetically engineered animal is safe to eat, are far more rigorous than agency's current oversight of biotech crops and cloned animals.
The editors
The New York Times 2008-10-03 (entry)
After White House officials remove scientific data from reports highlighting some risks associated with rocket-fuel chemical, EPA refuses to set drinking-water safety standard, assumes that maximum safe level is 15 times higher than suggested in 2002. Perchlorate linked to thyroid problems in pregnant women, newborns and young children and has been found in water in 35 states.
By Juliet Eilperin
The Washington Post 2008-10-04 (entry)
FDA says a bit of melamine in food - equivalent to two or three grains in a million grains of sand - poses no serious risk, drawing ire of House member who questions whether agency is condoning intentional contamination of foods. Four babies have died, 54,000 ill from drinking tainted milk. Some China-made products found in U.S. are contaminated.
By Marc Kaufman
The Washington Post 2008-10-04 (entry)
70-year-old Yazoo Pump Project earns EPA veto, to chagrin of locals and two senators. $220 million U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project would have moved six million gallons water per minute to benefit flood-prone Mississippi Delta farms. And: 'Epitome of pork' would have yielded 14 cents on the dollar (click 'See also').
By Chris Talbott
The Associated Press; The Washington Post 2008-09-03 (entry)
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Facing declining image after food safety scares, FDA decides to hire public relations firm for $300,000. Agency avoided competition for work by hiring special minority set-aside contractor which agreed to subcontract to firm with ties to FDA official, records show. Contract has been suspended; Congressional FDA oversight committee plans probe. And: Outrage at tale of taint (click 'See also').
By Robert O'Harrow Jr.
The Washington Post 2008-10-02 (entry)
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USDA aims to catch herd of 50-100 wild pigs in New Jersey pinelands. Feral hogs compete with native ground-nesting birds - turkey, quail - by eating their eggs. Traps feature saloon-style doors that first are wired open to allow free access to corn bait, but later will be set to swing shut with prey inside. Three hogs, one 250 pounds, have been trapped.
By Peter Mucha
The Philadelphia Inquirer 2008-08-23 (entry)
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American food supply is flawed but China's present is our past. Tainted milk scandal mirrors New York's in the mid 19th century, when up to 8,000 babies died each year. Large-scale adulteration requires fast-growing get-rich-quick economy coupled with regulatory vacuum. Scandals are symptomatic of a deep failure of politics.
By Bee Wilson
The New York Times 2008-09-30 (entry)
FDA lacks staff to protect food supply, particularly fresh produce, and is distracted by counterterrorism efforts and investigating outbreaks of food-borne illness, government report says. Only 1 percent of produce imported into U.S. is inspected by FDA; 60 percent of fresh produce is imported annually. One in four Americans becomes sick from tainted food each year - 76 million people. And: New e.coli cases reported (click 'See also').
By Amanda Gardner
HealthDay; The Washington Post 2008-09-26 (entry)
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In response to melamine contamination of milk and milk products in China, FDA broadens sampling, testing of domestic and imported milk-derived ingredients and products containing milk, such as candies, desserts, beverages that could contain China products. Milk-derived ingredients include whole milk powder, non-fat milk powder, whey powder, lactose powder, and casein.
By Stephanie Kwisnek
FDA 2008-09-26 (entry)
Scientists urge 'aggressive action' to limit human exposure to can-lining chemical after study notes that higher levels of bisphenol A in body correspond with higher rates of heart disease, diabetes and liver abnormalities. Skeptic notes that drinking lots of high-sugar canned drinks raises risk of diet-related disease and exposure to BPA. And: Chemical, also found in hard plastic water and baby bottles, inhibits brain links (click 'See also').
By Sarah Boseley
The Guardian (UK) 2008-09-16 (entry)
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Country-of-origin labels due on meats, some produce, nuts. Ground beef labels may be long, because some processors mix meats of many countries. Critics complain about exemptions, including vegetables imported in bulk and then mixed by U.S. company. Label for cattle imported to U.S. for immediate slaughter can list origin country and U.S.; some fear that slaughterers won't bother with specifics. Then, there's scale: How do you verify origins of thousands of cattle slaughtered each day?
By Stephen J. Hedges
Chicago Tribune 2008-09-13 (entry)
EPA's current 'safe daily limit' for consumption of bisphenol-A (BPA), a leaching chemical used in hard plastic water and baby bottles and food and beverage can linings (click 'See also'), could cause memory/learning impairments and depression, research on primates shows. Scientist says EPA 'may wish to consider' lowering limit.
By Karen N. Peart
Yale University 2008-09-03 (entry)
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As products from cloned animals and their offspring begin to trickle into food stores, consumer and animal-welfare groups report sending FDA 150,000 letters opposing label-free decision. Government panel says organic and cloned are mutually exclusive, but USDA hasn't yet agreed. Ben & Jerry's has pledged not to knowingly use such products.
By Jane Zhang and Julie Jargon
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2008-09-02 (entry)
FDA approves irradiation of iceberg lettuce, fresh spinach in effort to reduce incidence of e.coli, salmonella and listeria and to lengthen shelf life without nutrient compromise. Dole Foods is considering process. Consumer safety group wants growers to document manure use and ensure safety of irrigation water, which is suspect in summer salmonella outbreak.
By Lauran Neergaard
The Associated Press; Newsweek 2008-08-21 (entry)
Reasons behind nation's largest beef recall still mysterious, since officials say health risk was 'vanishingly small.' USDA is auditing nation's slaughterhouses to determine whether abuse, slaughter of downer cows was isolated; it also is considering criminal charges. It has filed claim against Westland/Hallmark president for $67.2 million, the estimated price of recall.
By Ben Goad
The Press-Enterprise (CA) 2008-08-16 (entry)
Ocean's dead zones, where fish can't survive because of nitrogen- and phosphorous-laden fertilizer runoff and burning of fossil fuels, now cluster along eastern coastal U.S., endangering ecosystem, new study finds. One such zone in 1976 cost region's fisheries $500 million-plus. And: Dead zones are paradox of American agriculture: richness on fields, death in the water.
By David Biello
Scientific American 2008-08-15 (entry)
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Farm/food bill architects in Congress say that proposed USDA rule would cut out payments to small-acreage farmers by ignoring 'statement of intent' that accompanied law. But USDA says Congress debated provision that would have aggregated acreage to qualify for payments but removed it to save $34 million over five years.
By Aliya Sternstein
CQ 2008-08-13 (entry)
Nebraska Beef, an Omaha meatpacker recalling 1.2 million pounds of beef - including some from Whole Foods - has history of food-safety and other violations and has fought USDA over plant shutdowns. Last month, it recalled more than 5 million pounds of beef. And: For recall, click 'See also.'
By Annys Shin and Ylan Q. Mui
The Washington Post 2008-08-08 (entry)
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Agency awards $1.3 million in farm-to-market grants, including these with direct connections to food: Alaska: assess markets for processed shelf-stable red meat products, and to determine best structure for livestock producers; Colorado: improve quality of draught beer nationwide; Delaware: Assess consumer willingness to pay for locally grown, organic and natural produce in 5-state region; Florida: establish new tomato variety as alternative crop; Georgia: explore changes to peanut grading system; Kansas: explore issues relating to distillers' grains; Kentucky: identify new opportunities to sell sheep and goat products to Hispanics; Maryland: to increase use of locally produced foods in hospitals; Massachusetts: to train immigrant farmers; Nebraska: determine optimum strategies for marketing source-verified beef in high-end restaurants; Oregon: expand opportunities for agricultural producers and processors by developing products for Oregon school food programs; Rhode Island: introduce farmers to GAP food safety certification; South Carolina: improve geo-coded food marketing information; Utah: assess market for sheep meat in western U.S.; Vermont: develop an integrated culinary tourism program; Washington state: educate asparagus growers and handlers about food safety, create a food safety crisis management plan, and education effort on dry peas, lentils and chickpeas; Wyoming: to facilitate rural producers and processors' use of existing state and county kitchens to develop value-added food products.
By Joan Shaffer
USDA 2008-08-01 (entry)
As 75 percent of school districts prepare to raise lunch prices to offset rising costs of milk, bread, vegetables, nutrition directors worry that students won't have money to eat and that cafeterias will return to serving cheaper processed fare. Congress asked to to increase assistance and to make meals free for all students.
By James Vaznis
The Boston Globe 2008-07-16 (entry)
Teens found working at kosher slaughterhouse during immigration raid; afterward, they described labor violations that could result in criminal charges, lawyers say. And: Demonstrators expected in Iowa to protest immigrant treatment at Agriprocessors; Jewish groups debate buying their meat, labeled Aaron's Best and Aaron's Choice. (click 'See also').
By Julia Preston
The New York Times 2008-07-27 (entry)
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Climate change may bring water shortages in West and increased spread of diseases contracted through food and water, as well as heat waves, hurricanes and increased death rates in inner city, EPA says. And: Oil industry arguments helped block regulations on greenhouse gases (click 'See also').
By David A. Fahrenthold and Juliet Eilperin
The Washington Post 2008-07-18 (entry)
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Aftermath of immigration raid at Iowa kosher meat processing house shows abuse of undocumented immigrants. Slaughterhouse workers were charged as serious criminals and shackled at the wrists, waist and ankles; most sentenced to five months in prison, sending their families deeper into poverty. And: essay from eyewitness (click 'See also').
The editors
The New York Times 2008-07-13 (entry)
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USDA will in August begin listing retail stores receiving meat and poultry products recalled for serious concerns to public health at www.fsis.usda.gov. Retail stores include supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores, meat markets, wholesale clubs and supercenters. Agency won't identify distribution centers, institutions or restaurants.
USDA 2008-07-11 (entry)
In reversal, FDA declares high-fructose corn syrup 'natural' after reviewing documents provided by manufacturer. Sugar lobby disagrees; consumer group points out that chemical bonds are broken and rearranged to create the corn-based sweetener and complains that FDA stance was announced via letter, informally. To read letter, click 'See also.'
By Laura Crowley
Food Navigator 2008-07-08 (entry)
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Loophole allows meat companies to move e.coli-contaminated meat found during processing into the 'cook only' category without telling USDA. Some inspectors say practice conceals higher levels of bacteria in packing plants than the companies admit. School lunch program bought 2.8 million pounds of cooked beef in 2006.
By Stephen J. Hedges
Chicago Tribune; The Seattle Times 2007-11-11 (entry)
From our efficient, automated food stamp program, we have learned that current benefits run out the third week of every month. Price tag of hunger to American society is about $90 billion a year; ending hunger in U.S. would cost $10-12 billion a year. What added moral hazard could a full month of eating create?
By Michael Gerson
The Washington Post 2008-07-09 (entry)
Politician urges release of farmers from land conservation/wildlife habitat contracts. Midwest floods have washed out four million acres of farmland, crimping this year's harvest. Critic suggests placing the flooded acreage into conservation programs. And: farmers in flooded areas allowed to graze livestock on conserved land (click 'See also').
By David Streitfeld
The New York Times 2008-06-21 (entry)
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Current salmonella-tomato problems point to chronic lack of money and manpower at FDA. Agency reacts, rather than prevents, events. But, say advocates, agency staff has strong sense of mission and sacrifice. Staffers have been known to use their own credit cards to buy suspect products; interrupting vacations or working all night is common.
By John Carey
Business Week 2008-06-13 (entry)
Tyson Foods directed to remove antibiotic-free claim from its chickens by June 18. USDA had approved label in December, but later was told that the company routinely used the antibiotic Gentamicin to prevent illness and death in chicks.
USDA 2008-06-02 (entry)
Downer cattle will be banned from slaughter, USDA head says. Change will increase humane handling from producers, transporters and slaughterhouses, he says, since there will no longer be any market for cattle that are unable to rise or walk on their own. Decision comes after video resulted in nation's largest beef recall.
By Ed Schafer
USDA 2008-05-20 (entry)
Packaged, processed food products likely to contain genetic modifications if they contain soybean oil or corn syrup, experts say. About three-fourths of the corn, and about 90 percent of the soybeans planted in U.S. are genetically modified. In poll, 87 percent of us want biotech ingredients labeled, as in Europe, Japan and Australia.
The Associated Press; CBS4 2008-05-11 (entry)
More downer cows videotaped at auction sites and stockyards in Maryland, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Texas. 'Every place that we looked, we found downed animals," says Humane Society head, who says the ailing animals were left for hours. 'No one is taking responsibility for these animals.' Non-ambulatory cows are prohibited from food chain.
By Natasha T. Metzler
The Associated Press; WTOP 2008-05-07 (entry)
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School lunch program, an already low-budget effort of mostly processed foods, struggles anew with increases in dairy and refined carbohydrate prices and relies on USDA's surplus meat and cheese. Reformers want Congress to provide more than $2.47 per lunch, and to make produce as cheap and easy to buy as tater tots.
By Greg Toppo
USA Today 2007-05-01 (entry)
In approving plastics additive, FDA ignored 100-plus studies that raised health concerns and relied on two industry-funded studies. Bisphenol A (BPA), used in baby bottles, plastic food containers, bottles, tableware and the plastic linings of canned foods, can mimic estrogen and is linked to cancer, behavioral disorders and reproductive ills in animals.
By Lyndsey Layton
The Washington Post 2008-04-27 (entry)
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In fall of 2009, the 8 million-plus WIC participants permitted to buy fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and soy-based products. Amounts of cheese, eggs and fruit juice will be limited. Change is first in 35-year history and is more consistent with the government's dietary guidelines. Also planned: fruit and vegetable cash-value vouchers for grocery stores and farmers markets.
By Susan Bowerman
Los Angeles Times 2008-04-28 (entry)
Nation's largest beef recall was aberration, USDA doesn't need any more meat inspectors and videotaping at slaughterhouses costs too much and is difficult to implement, official tells lawmakers at hearing. He also says that agency increased monitoring efforts for mistreatment. But food inspectors' union spokesperson says inspectors are swamped.
By Jonathan D. Rockoff
The Baltimore Sun 2008-04-18 (entry)
Violations found in three of 18 slaughterhouses audited after nation's biggest beef recall, with one plant suspended from operations, Senate panel learns. One plant was insufficiently stunning animals, which failed to make them insensible to pain before killing them. Government doesn't identify any of the plants.
By Frederic J. Frommer
The Associated Press 2008-04-08 (entry)
Citing desire to prevent, not merely respond to e.coli-related recalls and illnesses, USDA schedules two-day public meeting in Washington, D.C., to discuss challenges, proposed solutions. One topic: whether large cuts of raw beef (loin or chuck, for example) contaminated with e.coli should be defined as 'adulterated,' which means they could be recalled or processed to eliminate the pathogen, says Laura Reiser, spokesperson.
USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service 2008-03-27 (entry)
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Mad cow policy in U.S. is 'don't look, don't find,' critics say. In U.S., testing is voluntary; U.S. tests 0.1 percent. Japan tests all cows 20 months and older; UK tests all cows 30 months and older. Loopholes here allow cow food to contain cow blood (blood can carry BSE); chicken manure and feathers (chicken feed can contain beef and ground bone); and restaurant garbage (could include cow bones and meat). For graphic, click 'See also.'
By Douglas Quan
The Press-Enterprise (CA); Grist 2008-03-13 (entry)
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Though lower ozone levels protect crop yields, forests and wildlife, Bush administration overrules EPA and law to set higher limits. EPA officials had already raised limits above its scientists' recommendations. Change forced officials to rewrite regulations to avoid a conflict with past EPA statements on harm caused by ozone, which is created when industrial and vehicle pollution reacts with sunlight.
By Juliet Eilperin
The Washington Post 2008-03-14 (entry)
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After finding food safety violations at nearly half of the 67 spinach packaging operations it inspected, FDA failed to enforce corrections, Congressional report finds. Sites required annual inspection, but span between inspections was nearly two and a half years. One operation says that some of report data are wrong.
By Christopher Lee
The Washington Post 2008-03-13 (entry)
Sick cows were killed illegally at Hallmark/Westland slaughterhouse, company executive tells Congress after he views the Humane Society video that filmed workers forcing 'downer' cows onto their feet for killing. Video led to nation's largest meat recall. A portion was sent to schools as part of the USDA's National School Lunch Program.
By Erica Werner
The Associated Press; The Herald (CA) 2008-03-12 (entry)
Despite two-year push to make public the lists of retailers that receive recalled products, USDA has not yet sent rule change to White House budget office for OK. The agency won't name the 10,000 food distributors, processors, grocers and restaurants that received Hallmark/Westland beef. Lawmaker says information is not confidential: 'If we have stores that are selling bad products, we should know about it.'
By Jane Zhang
The Wall Street Journal (may require subscription) 2008-03-07 (entry)
Delays on tainted beef recall updates kept school lunch workers in the dark for days, and has led to questions on whether the federal government's alert system is adequate to keep unsafe food off cafeteria lines. In Texas, one school district waited 12 days for complete recall information.
By Greg Toppo
USA Today 2008-03-04 (entry)
Lawmakers demand list of restaurants and retailers that received tainted beef; USDA says it's against the rules, but will check with the lawyers. Though USDA plans to make recall lists public later this year, that information still is considered confidential, with retailers provided the choice on whether to disclose details.
By Christopher Doering
Reuters 2008-03-06 (entry)
USDA can't say how many schools are affected by Hallmark/Westland beef recall and can't account for about 10 percent of total. More than half of suspect meat became meatballs, patties and other items, or was mixed with other products and classified by type, not manufacturer. Recall, which has affected 45 states and D.C. schools, adds to perception that school meals are inferior, lunch lady says. Meanwhile, parents worry.
By Jane Zhang
The Wall Street Journal (may require subscription) 2008-03-05 (entry)
Public safety must come before the needs of business; secrecy and delays are inexcusable. We need one food agency responsible for consumer safety; it must be adequately funded. The agency must have the power to recall dangerous food. All of us have the right to know where recalled food products were sold.
The editors
Los Angeles Times 2008-03-04 (entry)
Contradicting USDA's assurances that Hallmark/Westland recall was 'isolated incident,' documents show problems with food safety in children's school lunches since at least 2003. School-lunch administrators and inspectors cited for weak food-safety standards, poor safeguards against e.coli and salmonella, and choosing vendors with food-safety violations (Hallmark/Westland has string of citations going back at least 10 years).
By Elizabeth Williamson
The Wall Street Journal 2008-03-03 (entry)
USDA suspends at least one food inspector and at least one supervisor in wake of Hallmark/Westland beef recall. Five inspectors were assigned to the meatpacking plant. Agency says evidence shows workers killed cows that couldn't walk or stand without consulting government veterinarian.
By David Kesmodel and Jane Zhang
The Wall Street Journal 2008-03-01 (entry)
At testy hearing before Congress, USDA promises to strengthen efforts to ensure humane treatment of animals at slaughterhouses. Senators ask why USDA failed to detect animal abuse of ailing cows, and say that safety of meat from Hallmark/Westland, which supplied school lunches and retailers, is an unknown.
By Andrew Martin
The New York Times 2008-02-29 (entry)
See also
Humane Society sues federal government, saying that rule change in 2007 (click 'See also) created loophole that allows sick or crippled cows to be killed and to enter the human food supply. In 2004, law was strengthened to prohibit slaughter of 'downer cows,' since inability to walk can indicate illness, including mad cow disease.
By Gillian Flaccus
The Associated Press; Forbes 2008-02-27 (entry)
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Westland/Hallmark Meat Co., recall widens to soups, sauces, burritos and bouillon cubes as USDA instructs companies to pull products commingled with even tiny amounts of suspect beef. Critics decry massive waste of food and call government action 'overkill,' considering remote chance that meat was infected with mad cow disease.
By Julie Schmit
USA Today 2008-02-24 (entry)
USDA's bulk buys of ground beef and other meats from lowest bidders leave school lunch directors with no choice but to trust. But in a 1996 study on E. coli, researchers found that a single lot of beef at a large-scale commercial meat packer came from up to 11 sources in four states; in another case, meat possibly tied to a large, 1993 E. coli outbreak came from up to 443 animals from six states through five slaughterhouses.
By Victoria Kim and Janet Wilson
Los Angeles Times 2008-02-24 (entry)
New rule that would reveal names of stores that have sold recalled beef or other tainted products seems mired somewhere between USDA and the Office of Management and Budget, which must OK publication. All meat recalls are voluntary; USDA can only threaten to withhold an inspection or keep a packer's meat out of the supply chain. Industry groups had opposed the rule.
By Paul Wenske
The Kansas City Star 2008-02-24 (entry)
Days before nation's largest beef recall, food safety groups pressed for immediate policy change that would identify retail outlets where recalled meat and poultry products had been sold. USDA had previously considered that information confidential, but has since concluded that it has the power to release the names, and expects a rule change this year.
By Aliya Sternstein
CQ Politics 2008-02-20 (entry)
In the U.S. government's 2005 29-page list of commodities eligible for shipping to Cuba, fruits, vegetables, nuts, mushrooms or truffles, cereal grains, coffee, spices, meat and seafood, wines and liquor - and, item No. 0210.91, salted, brined, dried or smoked meat and edible offal of primates.
USDA; www.poynter.org (Al's Morning Meeting 02-21-08) 2005-05-16 (entry)
Lawmakers promise hearings on poultry worker safety after The Charlotte (NC) Observer documents problems at House of Raeford Farms. Employees say company ignored, intimidated or fired mostly illegal immigrant workers hurt on the job. Company failed to record injuries; federal safety inspections at U.S. poultry plants have dropped to lowest point in 15 years.
By Peter St. Onge, Kerry Hall, Ames Alexander and Franco Ordoñez
The Charlotte Observer (NC) 2008-02-17 (entry)
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Manager at slaughterhouse that supplied school lunch program faces felony charges of cruelty to animals after video shows torture of ailing cows. 'Downer' cows are prohibited from human food chain since failure to stand can be symptom of mad cow disease; schools nationwide pulled beef from lunch menus. USDA has launched investigation, but some members of Congress call for school food safety probe as well.
By Victoria Kim
Los Angeles Times 2008-02-15 (entry)
Citing video showing workers abusing sick cows at slaughterhouse that supplied school lunch program, lawmakers question whether government can protect students from dangerous foods. They call for independent investigation, saying that USDA has repeatedly failed to deliver timely information about food safety issues to schools and to parents.
By Victoria Kim
Los Angeles Times 2008-02-14 (entry)
With imported foods comprising 13 percent of our diet, a litany of contaminants, food-borne illnesses and safety violations plague FDA. Agency presented its Food Protection Plan, calling for laws that provide agency broader powers, more funding and links to producers, importers and other governments, but Congress has not yet acted.
By E.J. Mundell
HealthDay; USA Today 2008-02-08 (entry)
After release of video depicting abuse of sick cows to force them to slaughter, food safety experts question reliability of federal inspections. Eight USDA inspectors were on site at Hallmark Meat Packing, but they failed to correct problems before animal rights group went public with film. The company was a major supplier of meat for school lunches.
By Victoria Kim
Los Angeles Times 2008-02-07 (entry)
Administration proposes raising budget for food programs at FDA to $543 million, up from about $510 million last year. The FDA oversees 80 percent of our food supply, mostly fruits, vegetables and processed foods, and has been criticized repeatedly as tainted products, imported and domestic, have emerged.
By Christopher Doering
Reuters 2008-02-05 (entry)
FDA wants to open office in China to speed response to troubles, but also as model outpost that eventually would shift much of the burden for safe imports to producer countries instead of relying on inspections at home. Congress must fund it and the Chinese government must OK it.
Reuters 2008-02-05 (entry)
USDA says it suspended 12 establishments out of 6,200 for 'egregious humane handling violations' and documented 650 other inhumane practices during inspection of slaughterhouses in 2007. It will probe whether cow-torturing video was shot during attempts to move animals to slaughter or to move them out of slaughter line because they couldn't walk.
United States Department of Agriculture 2008-01-31 (entry)
FDA, our main defense against tainted food, drugs and other products, desperately needs an infusion of money and talent. As imports pour in, agency battles high turnover in scientists, a decrepit computer system, a weak organizational structure, and a inspection force so sparse that it would require 1,900 years to inspect every foreign food plant.
The editors
The New York Times 2008-02-03 (entry)
The Washington Post in 2006 reports investigation into $15 billion of waste for federal agriculture subsidies that: pay farmers to protect against low prices even when crops are sold at higher prices; pay for crops that fail even as they provide subsidized insurance in case of failure; and pay people for merely owning land that was once farmed.
By Dan Morgan, Gilbert M. Gaul and Sarah Cohen
The Washington Post 2006-07-02 (entry)
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As expected, FDA says that meat and milk from cloned cattle, pigs and goats are as safe to eat as that from non-cloned versions. Authors of 968-page report say, too, that their job is science, not weighing moral, religious and ethical concerns. Cloned products are years away from our markets; what we will see is products from progeny of replicas but we won't know, since there's no labeling required.
By Rick Weiss
The Washington Post 2008-01-15 (entry)
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Though most agree that our food supply is safe, sticking points include an outdated and imbalanced food surveillance system; industrialized food, which generally has problems in scale to its size; and the appearance of contaminants in foods previously not associated with poisoning. Then there's our appetite for raw fruits and vegetables.
By Amanda Gardner
HealthDay News; U.S. News & World Report 2008-01-14 (entry)
Our food supply is at risk because the FDA is poorly organized and desperately short of money, though its responsibilities have soared, advisers say. Reports are hand-written. Its computer systems are aging and can't tell the difference between table salt and road salt and they're prone to breakdowns, most recently during an e.coli investigation.
By Gardiner Harris
The New York Times 2007-12-01 (entry)
Public health specialists pressure government for help in forcing processed food makers to cut sodium, a prime culprit in high blood pressure, stroke and heart attacks. In the meantime, we can avoid hidden salt by cooking from scratch.
By Lauran Neergaard
The Associated Press 2007-11-20 (entry)
House committee contemplates safety and labeling of meats and fish shot with carbon monoxide during packaging to maintain the look of freshness. Tyson Foods, Safeway, Giant Food and Stop & Shop have agreed not to sell such products; Target wants a label, and Hormel and Cargill say they would label gassed products, if necessary.
Thomson Financial; Forbes 2007-11-13 (entry)
Bush administration wants to grant the FDA and Consumer Product Safety Commission power to mandate recalls on tainted food and products, require safety testing, oversee safety standards of producers and importers, ban imports if necessary and penalize violators. But critics say success depends on Congress, and plan doesn't go far enough.
By Jane Zhang, John D. McKinnon and Christopher Conkey
Wall Street Journal 2007-11-06 (entry)
