Regulation
Ex-Slaughterhouse Manager Faces Exploitation Charges
May 6, 2013 9:31 am | by RYAN J. FOLEY,Associated Press | News | CommentsAfter fleeing to Israel following an immigration raid in 2008, a former manager at a kosher slaughterhouse in Iowa finally appeared in a U.S. courtroom Friday to face charges that he conspired to exploit immigrant workers for profit. Amara pleaded not guilty to an indictment charging him with conspiring to harbor workers who were in the country illegally and conspiring to provide false immigration papers.
Daily Sound Bite: China 'Cannot Tolerate' Rat Meat Sold As Lamb
May 3, 2013 12:14 pm | News | CommentsAfter a new food safety law only vaguely increased food safety regulations in China, a new scandal involving nearly 1,000 suspects is rocking the country. The Chinese Ministry of Public Security has announced that rat and fox meat has been fraudulently sold as lamb.
Juror: Landmark EEOC Verdict Sends Message
May 3, 2013 9:36 am | by RYAN J. FOLEY,Associated Press | News | CommentsA juror says she wanted to send a message by supporting a historic $240 million verdict for 32 mentally disabled men who faced decades of abuse by a Texas company: Never again. Juror Robin Griebel outlined her rationale for awarding $7.5 million to each former employee of Henry's Turkey Service, while the men, their attorney and relatives celebrated Wednesday's verdict.
Rat Meat Sold as Lamb in China’s Latest Food Scandal
May 3, 2013 9:34 am | News | CommentsChinese police have broken up a criminal ring accused of taking meat from rats and foxes and selling it as lamb in the country's latest food safety scandal. The Ministry of Public Security released results of a three-month crackdown on food safety violators, saying in a statement that authorities investigated more than 380 cases and arrested 904 suspects.
Daily Sound Bite: Anti-Addiction Groups Balk at Pa. Liquor Bills
May 2, 2013 12:36 pm | News | CommentsAs a bill passes through the state senate in Pennsylvania, aiming to privatize the control of liquor and wine sales, some state senators and anti-addition groups are railing against the new proposed measure, claiming it will cost taxpayers and harm families.
Food Manufacturers Support Dairy Freedom Act
May 2, 2013 12:30 pm | News | CommentsFood processor groups voiced their strong support last week for the Dairy Freedom Act in a letter to the bill's authors, Representatives Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) and David Scott (D-GA). The bill would offer the safety net of margin insurance for dairy farmers without forcing them to participate in a supply management program, a provision included in the dairy section of last year's Senate and House Agriculture Committee Farm Bills.
Groups Criticize Pa. Liquor Bills
May 2, 2013 9:48 am | by MARC LEVY,Associated Press | News | CommentsGov. Tom Corbett's push to liberalize Pennsylvania's beer, wine and liquor laws drew broad criticism from anti-addiction groups during a Senate committee hearing Tuesday, and a key state senator suggested that any sale of private alcohol licenses won't deliver the kind of windfall Corbett has touted.
Wis. Panel Approves Junk Food Stamp Bill
May 2, 2013 9:47 am | by KEVIN WANG,Associated Press | News | CommentsA Wisconsin Assembly committee approved a bill on Tuesday that would limit the amount of food stamp benefits that could be spent on junk food. Republican Rep. Dean Kaufert, of Neenah, amended his original bill to require people enrolled in the state nutrition assistance program, known as FoodShare or food stamps, to spend at least two-thirds of their monthly benefits on items such as milk, bread and vegetables.
Abused Disabled Iowa Plant Workers Awarded $240M
May 2, 2013 9:45 am | by RYAN J. FOLEY,Associated Press | News | CommentsFor decades, the lives of 32 mentally disabled Iowa turkey processing plant workers were controlled by their Texas-based employer, which profited handsomely by hiring them out. Regardless of sickness or injury, they were driven from the dilapidated, bug-infested bunkhouse where they were housed to their 41-cents-an-hour jobs removing the slaughtered birds' innards.
Calif. Lawsuit Claims Lead in Ginger, Plum Candies
May 2, 2013 9:43 am | by JASON DEAREN,Associated Press | News | CommentsCalifornia has filed a lawsuit against Whole Foods, Trader Joe's and other food retailers, manufacturers and distributors, alleging the companies are selling lead-tainted ginger and plum candies without warning labels, as required by state law.
Daily Sound Bite: Monster Sues San Francisco City Attorney
May 1, 2013 12:51 pm | News | CommentsMonster Beverage is suing San Francisco’s city attorney, arguing that City Attorney Dennis Herrera unfairly singled the company out by asking that it produce evidence that its drinks are safe. Since then, Monster says Herrera has asked it to reformulate its drinks and change its labels and marketing materials.
Jury Deliberates in Iowa Worker Abuse Case
May 1, 2013 12:39 pm | by RYAN J. FOLEY,Associated Press | News | CommentsA government attorney asked jurors Tuesday to award damages to 32 mentally disabled workers, saying they were subjected to around-the-clock discrimination by a Texas company that profited from their work at an Iowa turkey plant. An attorney said the former workers for Henry's Turkey Services suffered "broken lives" because of the conditions they endured while living at a run-down bunkhouse in rural Iowa and working at West Liberty Foods.
Monster Beverage Suing San Francisco City Attorney
May 1, 2013 12:37 pm | by Candice Choi, The Associated Press | News | CommentsMonster Beverage is suing San Francisco's city attorney over demands that the company reduce the amount of caffeine in its energy drinks and stop marketing to minors. The company, based in Corona, Calif., says it's being unfairly singled out by City Attorney Dennis Herrera, who late last year had asked Monster to produce documentation showing that its drinks are safe.
FDA Investigating Added Caffeine in Foods
April 30, 2013 9:41 am | by MARY CLARE JALONICK,Associated Press | News | CommentsLooking for a new way to get that jolt of caffeine energy? Food companies are betting snacks like potato chips, jelly beans and gum with a caffeinated kick could be just the answer. The Food and Drug Administration is closely watching the marketing of these foods and wants to know more about their safety.
Daily Sound Bite: Saving the Bees
April 30, 2013 8:12 am | News | CommentsMuch attention has been paid to colony collapse disorder over the past several years as bee populations have plummeted. The pollination provided by bees is crucial to plant growth, and the EU has voted to restrict the use of certain pesticides in an attempt to curb colony collapse.
Beer Sales Debate Heats Up in Pa.
April 29, 2013 12:44 pm | by MARC LEVY,Associated Press | News | CommentsWhere you can buy beer in Pennsylvania will be the subject of debate in the coming weeks in the state Senate, pitting profit-seeking businesses against one another and perhaps even against beer drinkers' wishes. What do beer drinkers want? In Harrisburg, that story line is being told by a variety of businesses in the context of what lines up neatly with their would-be profits.
Animal Advocates Oppose Feinstein’s Egg Bill
April 29, 2013 12:42 pm | News | CommentsSenator Feinstein's measure would codify a controversial deal between the United Egg Producers (UEP) — the egg industry trade association recently sued for an alleged price-fixing scheme — and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), which is now endorsing the exact same egg factory cages it previously opposed.
EU Plans To Restrict Pesticide Use To Protect Bees
April 29, 2013 12:35 pm | by RAF CASERT,Associated Press | News | CommentsThe European Union plans to restrict the use of three pesticides to better protect dwindling bee populations. The announcement Monday was cheered by environmentalists, disappointed chemical companies and came after the bloc's 27 nations failed to agree on a common stand.
Canadian Beef Industry Seeks Approval of Irradiation
April 29, 2013 9:37 am | by John Cotter, The Canadian Press | News | CommentsCanada's beef industry is about to ask the federal government to approve the use of irradiation in meat-processing plants to kill dangerous E. coli bacteria in a full range of meat products. The Canadian Cattlemen's Association says it is updating an application that was first made to Health Canada in 1998 for ground beef, but was turned down because of public concerns.
Florida Senate Passes Craft Distillers Bill
April 26, 2013 12:20 pm | News | CommentsThe Florida Senate has given final approval to a bill allowing on-site sales of liquor at the state's craft liquor distilleries. The measure (HB 347) passed on a 36-0 vote Friday and now goes to Gov. Rick Scott. It previously cleared the House.
Conn. House Votes To Allow Beer in Pouches
April 25, 2013 12:23 pm | News | CommentsA bill that would allow malt beverages, including beer, to be sold in Connecticut in pliable pouches is moving through the General Assembly. The House of Representatives voted 120-25 on Wednesday in favor of the legislation. The bill now awaits action in the Senate.
Vt. Bill Would OK Direct Shipment of Craft Brews
April 25, 2013 9:33 am | by LISA RATHKE,Associated Press | News | CommentsIn Vermont, a hotbed of craft beer brewing, lawmakers are considering a bill that would allow brewers to ship their beer directly to consumers to expand their markets and reach their niche customers nationwide. The state already allows wineries to ship wine directly to consumers after changing the law, but beer shipments are illegal.
7 Charged with Smuggling Fish Bladders to China
April 25, 2013 9:30 am | by ELLIOT SPAGAT,Associated Press | News | CommentsSeven people have been charged with smuggling bladders from an endangered fish in what authorities said Wednesday may be a growing international practice in which the bladders are sold for up to $20,000 each to be used in a highly desired soup.
Photo of the Day: A Fishy Situation
April 25, 2013 9:26 am | News | CommentsThis March 2013 image provided by the U.S. attorney's Office shows Totoaba bladders displayed at a U.S. border crossing in downtown Calexico, Mexico. Seven people have been charged in a scheme to sell the bladders of an endangered Mexican fish considered a delicacy for use in Chinese soup, U.S. prosecutors said Wednesday.
Food Defense: Government and Industry Resources
April 24, 2013 2:23 pm | by Lindsey Jahn, Associate Editor | Articles | CommentsAs the Food Safety Modernization Act continues to be implemented, more regulations and guidelines will be focused on food defense and the prevention of intentional contamination events. Many resources are being released by both the FDA and industry to help food manufacturers improve their food defense strategies.
