Articles Tagged with ''USDA''

USDA issues second RFP for bird flu vaccine

USDA's NIFA invests more than $10 million

Money goes to food safety outreach, training and education

October 4, 2021

USDA's NIFA announced an investment of $10 million for 21 grants to develop and implement food safety and Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)-related training, education, extension outreach and technical assistance for food processors and farmers with small to mid-size operations.

Regulatory Watch

USDA releases plan to decrease Salmonella in meat, poultry, eggs

The plan outlines efforts to reduce pathogen contamination and Salmonella infections associated with FSIS-regulated products

Sharon Spielman

October 13, 2020

No Comments

The USDA releases a plan to reduce Salmonella infections from meat, poultry and eggs.

Regulatory Watch

AMS proposes amending USDA organic regulations

Changes would strengthen oversight of organic agricultural products

Sharon Spielman

September 18, 2020

No Comments

Proposed amendments are intended to protect integrity in the organic supply chain and build consumer and industry trust in the USDA organic label.

Regulatory Watch

FDA, USDA issue recommendations for PPE shortage during COVID-19 pandemic

Sharon Spielman

July 13, 2020

No Comments

The FDA and USDA have released recommendations to help address shortages of personal protective equipment, cloth face coverings, disinfectants and sanitation supplies in the food and agriculture industry during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Regulatory Watch

Proposed rule to increase onion assessment rate

Sharon Spielman

May 4, 2020

No Comments

The USDA has issued a proposed rule which would increase the assessment rate from $0.10 per 50-pound bag or equivalent of Walla Walla sweet onions handled to $0.15 per 50-pound bag or equivalent of Walla Walla sweet onions handled for the 2020 and subsequent fiscal periods.

Manufacturing News

Bill would allow the FDA access to CAFOs

Wayne Labs

February 11, 2020

No Comments

In an effort to allow FDA to sample water, soil and environmental conditions on USDA-regulated concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), New York Sen. Kirsten E. Gillibrand introduced a bill that would provide the FDA authority to conduct microbial sampling on CAFOs as necessary for a foodborne illness outbreak investigation, determine the outbreak’s root cause or address other public health needs.

Regulatory Watch

Decreased assessment rate proposed for tart Michigan cherries

January 6, 2020

No Comments

A proposed rule issued by AMS would implement a recommendation from the Cherry Industry Administrative Board to decrease the assessment rate established for 2019-20 and subsequent fiscal years.

Food Safety

FDA: Don’t eat romaine from Salinas, California

Lettuce from the growing region likely source of E. coli outbreak

Rose Shilling

November 22, 2019

No Comments

Health officials warned people not to eat romaine lettuce from Salinas, Calif., because it is likely the source of an E. coli outbreak.

Manufacturing News

Much food waste comes from misinterpretation on product date labels

Wayne Labs

November 18, 2019

No Comments

The proliferation of various forms of date labels is enough to cause consumers not to buy a product with a short “sell by” date, leaving it to be junked at the store—or tossed prematurely at home—when the product is still perfectly fine.

Sharon Spielman

October 30, 2019

No Comments

The USDA, the EPA, and the FDA announce a new partnership with the Food Waste Reduction Alliance, which is reported to be the latest effort in the Winning on Reducing Food Waste Initiative launched by the three federal agencies in 2018.

The lingering effects of the pandemic on food processors were felt throughout 2021, with labor issues, increased automation, ingredient shortages, the need for additional energy efficiencies and technologies to help streamline operations, and more, all having an impact.

Food and beverage companies consistently develop new products, but current speed-to-market expectations have made efficiency a crucial factor in putting those new products into the hands of customers ahead of the competition.