Judicial & Prisons
Ohio organic food business accused of selling meat products without a license; owners maintain they're exempt from requirement, official says. Boxes of beef, lamb, turkey reportedly confiscated. Officials deny owner's account of SWAT officers accompanying state agriculture officials, sheriff's deputies to the family's home for search warrant.
By Steve Fogarty
The Chronicle-Telegram 2008-12-09 (entry)
New York state restaurant critic, companion beaten in parking lot of restaurant. Critic had announced plans on his blog to attend new restaurant's preview dinner. Whether the attack was premeditated or random is under investigation, police said. No arrests have been made.
By Jimmy Vielkind
Times Union (NY) 2008-10-19 (entry)
Replacing an asphalt lot, a three-acre garden in view of Wall Street becomes a go-to place for teens and has drawn more than 5,000 students with their classes. Gardens were begun by two employees of Red Hook yourth court who started a nonprofit, Added Value, and now employ teens who 'weed it, turn it, rake it, seed it' - and sell the bounty at a farmers' market and to Brooklyn restaurants.
By Jim Dwyer
The New York Times 2008-10-08 (entry)
Three suspicious packages, heavily wrapped in white packaging and duct tape, found on the first-base side outside Philadelphia stadium before recent Phillies-Braves game. Police were called, stadium was evacuated (but batting practice continued). Bomb squad arrived, then exploded hot dogs left over from photo shoot of Phanatic's hot-dog launcher.
By Rich Hofmann and David Gambacorta
Philadelphia Daily News 2008-09-25 (entry)
After school lunch program comes up short by $418,876, veteran bookkeeper negotiates guilty plea, 18-month jail sentence and restitution. New Hampshire school will install new computer, in part, to aid in monitoring cash flow.
By Meg Heckman
Concord Monitor 2008-09-16 (entry)
Those planning life of crime might consider a diet low in processed foods, says inventor of new fingerprinting technique. Perspiration of those who eat junk food contains more salt, and salty, sweaty fingerprints leave more telltale, corrosive impression on metal - or on bomb fragments. That leads, he says, to an indirect link between obesity and the chances of being fingered for a crime.
Science Daily 2008-09-16 (entry)
Weaponless in California, ransacking burglar scours kitchen, then applies spice rub to one victim, whacks another in the face with a sausage, police say. After suspect is captured in field, authorities discover dog has eaten the evidence.
By Louis Galvan
The Fresno Bee (CA) 2008-09-06 (entry)
Appeals court says USDA can prohibit testing for mad cow disease. Small Arkansas slaughterhouse wanted to test each cow to prove to foreign markets that their beef was safe. USDA cites 1913 law, also argues that tests can't be used for marketing. And: Editors call ruling 'sane,' because test detects disease months before symptoms appear; disease incubation period is two to nine years.
By Charles Abbott
Reuters 2008-08-29 (entry)
See also
Rice farmers' suits against maker of biotech rice too dissimilar to consolidate into class-action, judge rules. After Bayer CropScience's Liberty Link rice contaminated public food supply in 2006, mostly likely from plot at Louisiana State University, some countries temporarily banned U.S. rice exports, drying up foreign markets and causing drop in U.S. rice price.
The Associated Press; International Herald Tribune 2008-08-14 (entry)
City adds greater police presence to its popular 'Taste of Chicago' event after four persons shot following holiday fireworks display. Shootings occurred a mile away from festival, officials said. Sixty-five vendors are offering a total of 287 items for tastings. For interactive map, click 'See also.'
By Angela Rozas And Jason Meisner
Chicago Tribune 2008-07-04 (entry)
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Arizona pilot project helps eligible former inmates in targeted ZIP code apply for food stamps, other assistance in attempt to reduce soaring costs of criminal justice. New program seeks to address underlying problems, such as poverty, unemployment, substance abuse and mental illness.
By Amanda J. Crawford and Yvonne Wingett
The Arizona Republic 2008-06-15 (entry)
Citing '697 criminal complaints and arrest warrants,' federal agents raid AgriProcessors kosher meat processing plant and arrest more than 300. Raid 'devastating' to local economy, professor says. Iowa raid filled parents, children with fear, and points up need for immigration policy, archbishop says (click 'See also').
By Susan Saulny
The New York Times 2008-05-13 (entry)
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As Burger King spying case shows, we need a Bill of Rights that defends us against irresponsible corporate power. The fast-food chain says it obtained information about a college group to prevent violence. But it is a pacifist nonprofit inspired by Martin Luther King Jr., and supported by Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Foundation, Presbyterian Church and a Catholic peace movement.
By Eric Schlosser
The New York Times 2008-05-07 (entry)
Complete meal, or punishment? Vermont Supreme Court will decide after inmates sue over prison's use of nutraloaf as behavior modification tool for those who throw excrement or utensils. In 1988, judge said that Michigan's use of nutraloaf was punishment. For recipe, click 'See also.'
By Wilson Ring
The Associated Press; San Francisco Chronicle 2008-03-23 (entry)
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Hallmark/Westland slaughterhouse worker pleads guilty to animal cruelty charges, sentenced to 180 days. Humane Society videotape showed him using forklift to force feeble cows onto their feet. The company was the second largest supplier of ground beef to the USDA school lunches; tape led to nation's largest beef recall.
By Rod Leveque
Daily Bulletin (CA) 2008-03-21 (entry)
Worker charged in animal cruelty case after being filmed at Hallmark/Westland slaughterhouse says he was doing what he was told and what he was taught. 'I think it's unjust that I'm here. Where are the people in charge?' asked Sanchez Herrera, a Colima, Mexico, native. Officials say he is being held without bail on immigration charges.
By Monica Rodriguez
The Sun (CA) 2008-03-06 (entry)
Chocolate price-fixing probe among Mars, Kraft Foods, Nestle, Cadbury Schweppes and others grows. Documents filed in Ontario allege that leaders of Hershey, Mars and Nestlé met secretly. Cases detail exchange of pricing information back to 2002. Germany raids offices; New Jersey sweets company files antitrust suit. Volume of commerce is potentially in the billions of dollars per year.
By Janet Frankston Lorin
The Associated Press; The Seattle Times 2008-02-14 (entry)
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Police, USDA charge 27 associated with eight Detroit stores for alleged ties to food stamp trafficking totaling more than $1.5 million The yearlong probe involved confidential informants and video/audio footage. Michigan criminal justice agency estimates that county's food stamp fraud totals about $16 million annually.
By Mark Hicks
The Detroit News 2008-02-13 (entry)
Indian prison plans to offer inmates new diet, including eggs, soybeans, seasonal vegetables and chutneys, as well as slices of onion and lemon as condiments; cooking classes also contemplated.
The Telegraph (Calcutta, India) 2007-09-03 (entry)
Jail farm in Massachusetts town becomes unconventional tourist draw as well as place for well-behaved inmates to feel sense of accomplishment while learning the art of tending plants and animals.
By Erin Conroy
Boston Globe 2007-09-01 (entry)
The promise of fried chicken and a movie moves inmates to compete in cleanliness contest at South Carolina jail (showers are the tie-breaker); the center, which moves 6,800 prisoners through each year, still has the original carpet, from 1992.
By Daniel Brownstein
The Island Packet (SC); The State (SC) 2007-08-30 (entry)
Norway's Bastoey Prison now operates with ecologically sound food production, solar panels, wood-fire heating instead of oil and strict recycling to teach its 115 inmates respect for environment and for others.
(entry)
District judge orders prison to provide kosher meals for Muslim inmate after he sues Tecumseh State Correctional Institution to request them, citing religious requirements; officials complained that special meals would raise food and preparation costs and possibly cause resentment in other inmates.
Associated Press; Sioux City Journal (entry)
Find hemp seed, hemp oil, hemp butter, hemp bread, and hemp bars at the natural foods store, but it's all imported; hemp farming is banned in the U.S. because the plant is a version of the cannabis plant and contains low levels of the active ingredient in marijuana.
By Ann Woolner
Bloomberg News (entry)
Citing intellectual property, New York restaurateur and chef of Pearl Oyster Bar sues former employee for remarkable similarities in look and feel of a new place, Ed's Lobster Bar.
By Pete Wells
The New York Times (may require subscription) (entry)
