The Ridgewood Blog Brings a Free Market Laissez-faire Point of View to Local, New Jersey State and National Issues.
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Bloomsbury NJ, New Jersey’s agricultural industry is among the country’s smallest, with fewer than 10,000 farms producing about $1.5 billion in revenue annually, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
photos courtesy of Boyd Loving
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Ridgewood NJ, Bird flu is driving egg prices higher and the egg shortage has people scrambling . Nationally, the poultry industry lost around 36 million hens from February through September from the avian flu. Both demand and retail prices are higher than in previous years because of inflation, said Egg-News.com. Unseasonably high prices are expected to continue through fall and decline as flocks are restocked.
Instructions for People Who Planted Those Seeds
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
We have been receiving reports of people receiving seeds in the mail from China that they did not order. Sometimes the seeds are sent in packages stating that the contents are jewelry. Unsolicited seeds could be invasive, introduce diseases to local plants, or be harmful to livestock.
Continue reading NJ Department of Agriculture Update on Seeds from China
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Ridgewood NJ, USDA is aware that people across the country have received suspicious, unsolicited packages of seed that appear to be coming from China. USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is working closely with the Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection, other federal agencies, and State departments of agriculture to investigate the situation.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, To help cope with stress that may be related to the pandemic, take care of your body including good nutrition, as part of self-care.
Dietary supplements aren’t meant to treat or prevent COVID-19. Certain vitamins and mineralsexternal icon (e.g., Vitamins C and D, zinc) may have effects on how our immune system works to fight off infections, as well as inflammation and swelling.
Continue reading CDC: Dietary Supplements Can Fortify the Immune System
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Ridgewood NJ, The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) today announced the first confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) infection in two pet cats. These are the first pets in the United States to test positive for SARS-CoV-2.
Continue reading Confirmation of COVID-19 in Two Pet Cats in New York
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Ridgewood NJ,the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved the first set of plans submitted by states and Indian tribes for the domestic production of hemp under the U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program. The plans were submitted by the states of Louisiana, New Jersey, and Ohio, and the Flandreau Santee Sioux, Santa Rosa Cahuilla, and La Jolla Band of Luiseno Indian Tribes.
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TRENTON NJ, Four men were convicted at trial in connection with their respective roles in a multi-state dog fighting operation, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito and Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey Clark of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division announced today.
Continue reading Convictions Made in Multi-State Dog Fighting Case
August 1,2018
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Washington DC, Federal authorities at the USDA have issued a public health alert about more than two dozen beef, pork and poultry salad and wrap products as a precaution due to possible parasite contamination.
The Agriculture Department’s Food Safety and Inspection Service says the products, distributed by Indianapolis-based Caito Foods may be contaminated with cyclospora. The parasite causes intestinal illness.
The USDA says Caito Foods was notified from their lettuce supplier, Fresh Express, that the chopped romaine used in some of the salads was being recalled.
The products were sold by grocery stores including Trader Joe’s, Walgreens and Kroger. They have the establishment number “EST. 39985 or P-39985.” The USDA has posted a complete list online . Consumers are urged to throw them away.
Class I Recall 129-2017
Health Risk: High Dec 16, 2017
Washington DC, Piller’s Fine Foods, a Waterloo, Canada establishment, is recalling approximately 1,076 pounds of ready-to-eat salami and speck products that may be adulterated with Salmonella, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.
The ready-to-eat speck prosciutto and salami items were produced on Sept. 22 and Oct. 12, 2017, respectively. The following products are subject to recall: [View Labels (PDF only)]
Vacuum-sealed random weight plastic packages containing “Black Kassel Piller’s Dry Aged D’Amour Salami” with Best Before date of May 12, 2018
Vacuum-sealed random weight plastic packages containing “Black Kassel Piller’s Dry Aged Speck Smoked Prosciutto” with Best Before date of May 12, 2018.
These items were produced in Canada and were shipped to distribution centers in California, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey and New York.
The problem was discovered when an FSIS sample of the ready-to-eat salami product was confirmed positive for Salmonella. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.
Consumption of food contaminated with Salmonella can cause salmonellosis, one of the most common bacterial foodborne illnesses. The most common symptoms of salmonellosis are diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating the contaminated product. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days. Most people recover without treatment. In some persons, however, the diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized. Older adults, infants, and persons with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop a severe illness. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact their health care provider.
FSIS and the company are concerned that some product may be frozen and in consumers’ freezers.
Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.
FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls.
FSIS advises all consumers to safely prepare their raw meat products, including fresh and frozen. The only way to confirm that meat and poultry products are cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer that measures internal temperature, https://1.usa.gov/1cDxcDQ.
Media and consumers with questions regarding the recall can contact Trent Hilpert, President, Piller’s Fine Foods, at (519) 743-1412 ext. 240.
FOOD POLICE : USDA Creating $1.9 Million Research Center Devoted to Changing American’s Food Choices
Research to examine dismantling fast food combos
BY: Elizabeth Harrington
June 2, 2014 5:00 pm
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is creating a $2 million research center to study how the government can “nudge” Americans toward making healthier eating habits.
The agency is currently accepting grant applications to establish a “Center for Behavioral Economics and Healthy Food Choice Research,” which will facilitate studies such as how breaking up combo meals at fast food restaurants would influence customers.
“The USDA Center will facilitate new and innovative research on the application of behavioral economics theory to healthy food choice behaviors that would contribute to enhancing the nutrition, food security, and health of American consumers,” the USDA’s grant announcement said.
The center will be given at least $1.9 million over three years, with the possibility of future funding. Its research will focus on “facilitating food choice behaviors” and improving the diets of Americans enrolled on food stamps and the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program.
https://freebeacon.com/issues/usda-creating-1-9-million-research-center-devoted-to-changing-americans-food-choices/
USDA warns of sticker shock on U.S. beef as grilling season starts
By Ros Krasny
Nigeria inflation rises to 7.9 pct in April: statistics bureau Reuters
Moroccan inflation steady at annual 0.4 percent in April Reuters
Consumer prices post biggest gain in 10 monthsReuters
UK inflation rises for first time in 10 months in AprilReuters
Producer price gain offers cautionary note on inflation Reuters
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Department of Agriculture has warned of sticker shock facing home chefs on the eve of the Memorial Day holiday weekend, the unofficial start of the U.S. summer grilling season
The agency said conditions in California could have “large and lasting effects on U.S. fruit, vegetable, dairy and egg prices,” as the most populous U.S. state struggles through what officials are calling a catastrophic drought.
The consumer price index (CPI) for U.S. beef and veal is up almost 10 percent so far in 2014, reflecting the fastest increase in retail beef prices since the end of 2003. Prices, even after adjusting for inflation, are at record highs.
https://news.yahoo.com/u-faces-higher-food-price-inflation-2014-led-141513395–business.html;_ylt=AwrBJR.oaX9TjhMAxynQtDMD
