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AMI Foundation Emphasizes Importance of Funding for Agricultural Research in Comments to the Preside

Sun, 28 Jun 2026 09:19:42 +0800

Friday, March 9, 2012

(American Meat Institute)

AMI Foundation President Jim Hodges stressed the importance of properly funding agriculture research during comments delivered today before the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST).

As a funding organization, the Foundation understands the challenges that face funding groups and the researchers seeking support, Hodges stated during the public meeting. ? The monies available for research are shrinking and never more so in the area of agricultural research.Education programs for ranchers, farmers, meat processors, workers, and even the consumer give the entire food chain the tools they need to produce and ultimately consume the safest food product possible. This type of research rarely garners attention grabbing media headlines yet it is integral to ensuring safe foods. It is timely, expensive and easily cut by universities and legislators," Hodges sated.

Hodges noted that since 1999, the AMIF research program has directly sponsored nearly 100 food safety research projects at leading universities and research labs.

Those projects have helped develop new technologies to reduce microbial hazards, improve the safety of retail delis, gain a better understanding of the taxonomy of microorganisms to select or create intervention antimicrobials, and maintain the highest level of employee training through continued education programs.

Hodges said data suggest that AMIF research and education efforts have contributed to the food safety progress reflected in government data. Pathogenic bacteria on fresh and ready-to-eat products are down dramatically and so, too, are foodborne illnesses caused by pathogens associated with some meat and poultry products.

We have demonstrated that this approach to research is a wise investment and believe it is a formula to create real change and real progress,? Hodges said. The critical need for more agricultural research, particularly food safety research has been reiterated by the Foundation staff to the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Food Safety and Inspection Service; Congress; and now to you; the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.

The creation of the President’s Food Safety Working Group demonstrate this administration’s commitment to the safety of our food supply. But we will be unable to build on our progress and make our food supply even safer without additional funding for agricultural research. It is absolutely critical to have science-based research that will help meet the challenges that lay ahead in the future for the health of Americans? Hodges concluded.

Stop Consuming Certain Gold-Needle Mushroom Imported from Japan due to Possible Presence of

Sun, 28 Jun 2026 09:19:41 +0800

Issue Date	2012-02-06
Source of Information	Website of manufacturer in Japan
Food Product	Gold-needle mushroom
Product name and Description	Product name: Shinshu Enokitake Producer: JA Kitashinshu Miyuki Place of origin: Nagano Prefecture, Japan Batch No: 0434 Packing size: 100 g and 200 g Production date: February 1 and 2, 2012
Reason For Issuing Alert	Possible presence of glass fragments.
Action Taken by the Centre for Food Safety	The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) has notified local retailers. The CFS learned that major retailers had not sold any of the affected products.The CFS will continue to follow up on the case and closely liaise with the trade and the Japanese authority concerned.
Advice to the Trade	Stop selling the affected batch of products.
Advice to Consumers	Stop consuming the affected batch of products.
Further Information	The CFS press release

Centre for Food Safety
Food and Environmental Hygiene Department
2012-02-06

Stop Consuming Certain Gold-Needle Mushroom Imported from Japan due to Possible Presence of Glass Fr

Sun, 28 Jun 2026 09:19:39 +0800

Stop Consuming Certain Gold-Needle Mushroom Imported from Japan due to Possible Presence of Glass Fragments

Issue Date	2012-02-06
Source of Information	Website of manufacturer in Japan
Food Product	Gold-needle mushroom
Product name and Description	Product name: Shinshu Enokitake Producer: JA Kitashinshu Miyuki Place of origin: Nagano Prefecture, Japan Batch No: 0434 Packing size: 100 g and 200 g Production date: February 1 and 2, 2012
Reason For Issuing Alert	Possible presence of glass fragments.
Action Taken by the Centre for Food Safety	The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) has notified local retailers. The CFS learned that major retailers had not sold any of the affected products.The CFS will continue to follow up on the case and closely liaise with the trade and the Japanese authority concerned.
Advice to the Trade	Stop selling the affected batch of products.
Advice to Consumers	Stop consuming the affected batch of products.
Further Information	The CFS press release

Centre for Food Safety
Food and Environmental Hygiene Department
2012-02-06

Fructose consumption not linked to blood pressure, finds review

Sun, 28 Jun 2026 09:19:38 +0800

Prolonged consumption of a fructose rich diet does not lead to increases in blood pressure, according to the findings of a new systematic review of the evidence.

The study – published in the journal Hypertension – found no evidence to suggest that fructose increases blood pressure when it is eaten for more than seven days, despite previous research revealing that fructose consumption leads to immediate rises blood pressure.

In fact, the researchers, led by Dr David Jenkins and Dr John Sievenpiper, observed a significant decrease in diastolic blood pressure in people who had eaten fructose for an extended period of time.

"A lot of health concerns have been raised about fructose being a dietary risk factor for hypertension, which can lead to stroke, cardiovascular disease, renal disease and death," said Vanessa Ha – first author of the review.

"We wanted to determine whether fructose itself raised blood pressure, or if the apparent harm attributed to fructose was simply because people are eating too many calories," she said.

She explained, for example, that we know people are consuming more soft drinks than ever, “but is it the fructose, the extra calories, or possible other factors that are adding to their illnesses?”

Fructose risk?

Fructose is a simple monosaccharide sugar that is found in many foods. Fruits are the primary source of naturally occurring fructose, though the molecule found in fruits and vegetables is the same found in high-fructose corn syrup that is used in processed foods and beverages.

The researchers noted that previous research has raised concerns over possible adverse effects of fructose on blood pressure.

Last year research data from over 2500 people from the United States and the UK found that high intakes of sugar sweetened beverages are linked with increases in blood pressure – whilst a meta-analysis of 11 research trials found links between consumption of the sugar and diabetes risk to be “clear and consistent.”

Systematic review

In the new review and meta-analysis, Ha and her colleagues pooled the results of 13 controlled feeding trials which investigated the effects of fructose on blood pressure in people who had ingested fructose for more than seven days.

The 352 participants included in their analysis consumed an average of 78.5g of fructose every day for around four weeks.

Ha and her colleagues reported overall that fructose intake in isocaloric exchange for other carbohydrates significantly decreased diastolic and arterial pressure.

H-E-B recalls Asian Ready-to-Eat by FDA

Sat, 27 Jun 2026 15:27:40 +0800

US-based supermarket chain H-E-B is voluntarily recalling certain Asian Ready-to-Eat meals due to the possibility of undercooked chicken in those meals, according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Although there have been no confirmed illnesses reported related to this recall, according to the agency, undercooked chicken has the potential to be contaminated with salmonella.

This recall affects 19 Ready-to-Eat entrées and meals sold in 40 stores in Texas including one store in Houston. The product was available at the Grab 'N Go section in H-E-B Delis. The products were available in a 4 ounce, 8 ounce, 12 ounce, 24 ounce black plastic containers with a clear lid, single serve sizes and to-go containers and include the following products.

FDA noted that any product sold prior to 3 May 2012 is affected and should be returned to any H-E-B store for a full refund.

The problem was identified following the consumer complaint about the possibility of undercooked chicken in one of the meals.

Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with salmonella generally experience fever, diarrhea , nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

Alfalfa Sprouts Recalled in Ohio Due to Listeria Risk

Sat, 27 Jun 2026 15:27:38 +0800

The contamination was discovered by the Ohio Department of Agriculture while collecting and testing samples under the United States Department of Agriculture's Microbiological Data Program.

According to the company, no illnesses have been reported to date.

All alfalfa sprouts produced by Cleveland Beansprouts are being recalled. There are no lot codes or any other identifier on the product.

The alfalfa sprouts were distributed only in Ohio.

Consumers who have purchased alfalfa sprouts produced by Cleveland Beansprout should discard them.

Mace With Unlabeled Sulfites, Unapproved Dyes Recalled

Sat, 27 Jun 2026 15:27:37 +0800

Fatima Brothers of Maspeth, NY is recalling Shad Javantri (whole mace) because it contains undeclared sulfites as well as unapproved dyes Rhodamine B (Basic Violet 10) and Malachite Green (Basic Green 4) and undeclared allowed color FD&C Yellow #5.

The recalled whole mace comes in an uncoded 3.5 oz plastic bag and was sold in New York City.

Routine sampling by New York State Department of Agriculture & Market food inspector and subsequent analysis of the product by Food Laboratory personnel detected the problems.

The consumption of 10 milligrams of sulfites per serving has been reported to elicit severe reactions in some asthmatics. Anaphylactic shock could occur in certain sulfite sensitive individuals upon ingesting 10 milligrams or more of sulfites.

No adverse reactions have been reported.

Consumers may return the recalled whole mace to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Moratorium on desinewed meat

Sat, 27 Jun 2026 15:27:35 +0800

The UK has been required to change the process by which a very small part of its meat processing industry removes meat from animal bones.

The European Commission has asked that a moratorium is put in place on the production of 'desinewed meat' (DSM) from cows and sheep. Desinewed meat is produced using a low pressure technique to remove meat from animal bones. The product closely resembles minced meat.

The DSM process has been used in the UK since the mid-1990s. UK producers have told us that DSM is also exported by other EU countries such as Germany, the Netherlands and Spain.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is clear that there is no evidence of any risk to human health from eating meat produced from the low-pressure DSM technique. There is no greater risk from eating this sort of produce than any other piece of meat or meat product. The European Commission has informed us today they do not consider this to be an identified public health concern.

However, the European Commission has decided that DSM does not comply with European Union single market legislation and has therefore required the UK to impose a moratorium on producing meat products from the bones of cows and sheep using DSM by the end of April. If the UK were not to comply with the Commission’s ruling it would risk a ban on the export of UK meat products, which would have a devastating impact on the UK food industry.

The DSM process may still be used to remove meat from poultry and pigs, but it must now be classed and specifically labelled as 'Mechanically Separated Meat' (MSM), and not simply as 'meat preparation'.

Australian spice mixes recalled over Salmonella fear

Sat, 27 Jun 2026 15:27:34 +0800

The recalled products are:

• Coriander Ground

• Almond Dukkah

• Dukka Pistachio

• Kofta Bahari

• Kabse Mix

• Dolma Bahari

• Shawarma

• Ras El Hanoot

• Harissa

• Lebanese 7 Spices

• Biryani

• 50g resealable bag

• 70g plastic jar

• 50g resealable bag

• 100g glass jar

• 60g resealable bag

• 50g resealable bag

• 60g resealable bag

Most persons infected with Salmonella develop diarrhoea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. However, in certain cases, the diarrhoea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized. In these patients, the Salmonella infection may spread from the intestines to the blood stream, and then to other body sites and can cause death unless these patients are treated promptly with antibiotics.

The recall applies to resealable bags with the date marking ‘Best Before’ December 2015 and jars with ‘Best Before’ 12\2015.

Consumers should not consume these products. Consumers can return the products to the place of purchase for a refund.

Expanded food safety-related records access will 'weed out' uncooperative firms - SGS

Sat, 27 Jun 2026 15:27:33 +0800

Under the interim ruling, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will be allowed extended access to food firm records beyond those relating to specific suspect food articles if it believes that other products are likely to be affected in a similar manner.

Food testing firm SGS food technologist Jim Cook told FoodQualityNews.com that the expanded access to industry records will only improve food safety management in the US.

“It’s basically going to weed out those companies that have not cooperated in the past and it should reduce the length of a foodborne outbreak, reduce the time frame that it takes to recall a product, which in the end will help all of the industry,” said Cook.

The amendment, which took effect from 1 March 2012, is the FDA’s latest step in implementing the Food Safety Modernisation Act (FSMA).

According to the FDA, the expanded access will bring food firm record keeping in-line with its access to records and boost its ability to prevent potentially harmful food entering the market and reaching consumers.