Hallmark/Westland Has A Buyer: Report

Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Co., the Chino, Calif.-based processor that has been on death row since abuse of non-ambulatory cows at its processing plant prompted the largest beef recall in U.S. history, has a buyer, according to the Press-Enterprise . - Posted 7/31/08 by AHB

USDA Details COOL Rules, Costs

USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service has issued a five-page document summarizing the technical requirements and cost estimates of its interim final rules on mandatory country-of-origin labeling (COOL), which go into effect Sept. 30. - Posted 7/29/08 by AHB

AMI, AAMP, NAMP, NMA Co-sponsored Webinars Continue In August

Check out the schedule for the line-up of meat industry webinars for August on topics such as Humane Handling, OSHA Violations, and Product Recalls. - Posted 7/29/08 by AHB

USDA Issues Interim Final Rule For COOL

USDA has issues a 233-page interim final rule with request for comments on mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) as required by the 2008 farm bill with an implementation date of September 30, 2008. - Posted 7/29/08 by AHB

Food Defense Plans Voluntary—For Now: FSIS

USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service expects that at least 90 percent of meat, poultry and processed egg supply establishments will voluntarily adopt food defense plans, and if that goal isn't reached in the near future, the agency says, it may mandate their creation. - Posted 7/21/08 by AHB

Almost Half Of Americans Worried About Getting Sick From Contaminated Food: Poll

46 percent of Americans said they were worried they might get sick from eating contaminated food and have avoided foods they normally would have purchased because of safety warnings, according to an Associated Press-Ipsos poll. - Posted 7/18/08 by AHB

NAMP, AAMP, AMI, NMA Announce E. coli O157:H7 Conference For Further Processors

Responding to an ongoing and renewed focused by both industry and FSIS to reduce the number of recalls and illnesses related to E. coli O157:H7, these meat trade organizations have joined together to host a workshop in September.   Click here for a registration form.  - Posted 7/14/08 by AHB

AMI To Host Webinar On I-9 Compliance

Attend this webinar co-sponsored by AAMP on I-9 Compliance on July 15, 2008 at 2 PM.  - Posted 7/14/08 by AHB

USDA Will List Retail Stores Receiving Recalled Meat and Poultry Products

Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer has announced that beginning next month, USDA will begin listing retail stores receiving meat and poultry products involved in Class I recalls.  - Posted 7/11/08 by AHB

Schafer Visits Neb. Processors To See Animal Handling, Sanitation Procedures

As part of USDA's overall initiative to improve animal handling and food safety oversight, Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer is touring four meat processing plants in Nebraska this week. - Posted 7/9/08 by AHB