News Update

News Update
Feb. 26, 2008

Plant Will Likely Close Doors, Food Execs Questioned

The Chino, Calif., packing facility responsible for the largest meat recall in U.S. history will likely shut down permanently, according to Reuters.

Westland/Hallmark Meat Co. general manager Anthony Magidow told The Wall Street Journal, “I don’t see any way we could reopen.” Especially if the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) seeks payment for losses, Magidow added.

Meanwhile, executives from a number of food companies were called to a special hearing today before the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s subpanel responsible for probing food safety issues, CNN.com reported.

Among executives scheduled to testify are: Steve Mendell, chief executive officer (CEO) of Westland/Hallmark; Gary Rodkin of ConAgra Foods; Christopher Lischewski of Bumble Bee Food; David DeLorenzo, Dole Food Co.; and Keith Shoemaker, Butterball.

More Synthetic Drugs Allowable for Organic Livestock

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has published a final rule amending the National Organic Program’s National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances to allow some synthetic substances to be used in organic livestock production, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) reported.

According to AVMA, veterinarians may now use the following synthetic drugs, under certain restrictions, in organic livestock production: atropine, butorphanol, flunixin, furosemide, magnesium hydroxide, poloxalene, tolazoline and xylazine. USDA determined that the record supported the need for livestock medications in the interest of humane treatment, AVMA stated. In most cases, longer withdrawal periods are specified for organic production vs. traditional methods.

Triumph Foods Settles for $12M-plus

A Saint Joseph, Mo., pork processing plant has reached settlements totaling $12.25 million after an October 2005 natural gas explosion killed one person and injured several others, KCTV5 reported.

Investigators discovered gas leaking from an uncapped valve caused the explosion at the plant.

Researchers Map Corn Genome

Saint Louis, Mo., researchers led by Washington University have mapped the corn plant’s genome and plan to post findings on the Internet, according to The Associated Press (AP).

The genome is scheduled to be publicly announced Thursday, Feb. 28, at the 50th Annual Maize Genetics Conference in Washington, D.C.

The findings are expected to have numerous effects on agriculture. Production of corn — a high-demand grain for food, feed and fuel outlets — could increase, with new varieties standing up to environmental stresses and producing more yield.

The $29.5 million corn genome project was funded by the National Science Foundation, USDA and the U.S. Department of Energy, according to AP.

— compiled by Crystal Albers, associate editor, Angus Productions Inc.