Canada: Salmonella in 13% of feed despite zero tolerance

A CBC News team carried out an investigation into salmonella in animal feed and found that 2 out of 12 bags of animal feed were contaminated despite Canada’s zero tolerance policy. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) said they take any detection very seriously, but confirmed that it finds salmonella in 13% of the feed it routinely tests.

China shuts poultry farms over use of excessive antibiotics

China’s agriculture authority today shut down poultry farms in an east province where the chickens were reported to have been given excessive amounts of antibiotics.

Last week, Chinese media reported that some poultry farmers in Shandong Province had given their chickens excessive amounts of antibiotics, including amantadine and ribavirin, to help them survive in overcrowded chicken farms, triggering nationwide concern about food safety.

Two CPF leaders step down from the board of directors

Two of California poultry’s most dynamic and inspirational leaders recently have withdrawn from the California Poultry Federation (CPF) board of directors after many years of commendable service. Because of their hard work and dedication to CPF and its mission, they have left behind an organization that is successful, engaged and results oriented.

Maryland judge rules against environmental activists in Waterkeeper trial

The U.S. District Court of Maryland this morning found in favor of Perdue Farms’ grower Hudson Farms in a case filed against them by Waterkeeper Alliance Inc.

National Chicken Council President Mike Brown released the following statement in response to today’s ruling:  "Governor O’Malley said it best – that this unfair attack on a family farm represented an ‘ongoing injustice.’

Safeway surpasses cage-free egg goals

On Dec. 18, Safeway Inc. said it became the first major grocery retailer in the United States to make a national commitment to Certified Humane cage-free eggs and surpassing its sourcing and sales goals for cage-free eggs in the process.

Safeway launched an initiative with existing suppliers in 2008 to have all Lucerne Cage-Free and O Organics shell eggs sourced from Certified Humane farms. Then in 2010, Safeway set a goal of increasing sales of cage-free eggs from 6 percent to 12 percent of the shell-egg category by 2012. At present, more than 15 percent of overall egg sales in the category are cage-free eggs. The company also added the Open Nature label to the Certified Humane program this year. Safeway plans to continue to expand the campaign as their customers respond to the initiative. Read More 

Home cooking heats up

Cooking at home is becoming more common, according to a new survey. Twenty-six percent of American consumers say they "love" cooking vs. only 9 percent who claim to dislike it, […]