FDA extends comment period on the New Era of Smarter Food Safety

FDA amends its procedures for dairy, infant formula firms exporting to China July 29, 2020

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing changes to its export listing procedures for dairy and infant formula firms seeking to export their products to China.

FDA gives $1.5 million to support FSMA education, training, and technical assistance July 28, 2020

The FDA is announcing $1.5 million of continued funding, in the form of cooperative agreements, to the University of Arkansas Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative and the National Farmers Union to enhance food safety under the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).

Commercially available cell line rapidly detects African Swine Fever Virus July 28, 2020

Scientists from the USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) have identified a new way to detect the presence of live African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV) that minimizes the need for samples from live animals and provides easier access to veterinary labs that need to diagnose the virus.

Smithfield says not all plant workers can be socially distanced July 24, 2020

According to Reuters, Smithfield Foods has said workers cannot be socially distant in all areas of its plants, in response to U.S. senators who pressed meatpackers on coronavirus outbreaks in slaughterhouses.

USDA provides an update on 2019 Tyson beef plant closure and COVID-19 investigation July 23, 2020

The report, prepared by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service in coordination with the Office of the Chief Economist, summarizes market conditions, fed cattle prices, boxed beef values, and the spread before and after the fire and plant closure at the Tyson Holcomb, Kan., plant, and before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.