“But even ConAgra may only go so far. Asked if the company would notify the Food and Drug Administration on its own if it finds salmonella, the company’s spokeswoman, Stephanie K. Childs, said: “Your question is new for us. It’s one the company is considering.””

This just might get your BP up this am…it did mine and I sent it off to whitehouse.gov as an example of one of the many issues that needs to be fixed by somebody!

Exotic Meats USA Announces Urgent Statewide Recall of Elk Tenderloin Because It May Contain Meat Derived From An Elk Confirmed To Have Chronic Wasting Disease

http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmr.....02_09.html

Fortunately, only 6 packs were sold.

Here’s an interesting interview with Seattle Food Safety Lawyer, Bill Maler, talking on this subject a few days ago. The future doesn’t look so bright:

http://www.cattlenetwork.com/c.....tId=288997

Oregon State Public Health Veterinarian Emilio DeBess, by the way, was one of the heroes of the pet-food recall. The man steps up and tells it like it is, and politics be damned.

http://www.kgw.com/news-local/.....4dc3a.html

Tainted-peanut treats blamed for salmonella in Oregon dog

03:55 PM PST on Friday, February 6, 2009

SALEM, Ore. — Oregon veterinarians identified the first case of peanut-linked salmonella poisoning in a dog.

State Public Health Veterinarian Emilio DeBess reported the first confirmed case of Salmonella infection in an Oakland, Oregon dog that ate Happy Tails dog biscuits from Albertsons.

Happy Tails dog biscuits and other pet treats containing peanut ingredients made by Peanut Corporation of America were recalled due to potential contamination.

In late January, Albertsons/SUPERVALU the multi-flavored dog biscuits:

Happy Tails Multi-Flavored Dog Biscuits, 26 oz, UPC: 41163-42406

Happy Tails Multi-Flavored Dog Biscuits, 4 lb, UPC: 41163-42403

Other affected brands include: Healthy Hide, Shoppers Valu, Carolina Prime Pet, Salix, Grreat Choice and Happy Tails.

Vets say pets with salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea (sometimes bloody), fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain.

The OVMA cautioned pet owners to wash their hands after touching dogs who are sick because of the potential of bacterial transmission.

The massive callback includes some 900 separate food products because of a single Georgia peanut supplier pinpointed as the source of a salmonella outbreak.

The salmonella outbreak has sickened nearly 600 people and has been linked to eight deaths nationwide.

Supermarket chains are being urged to put their widespread discount-card programs to use notifying customers of recalls.

Seems like some serious action is going on as regards to Stewart Parnell and the Peanut Corp. of America.

I am still getting e-mails from the FDA about more peanut butter recalls from different retailers.

Good I don’t knowingly eat peanut butter. However, as a U.S. citizen, I worry about my fellow man and woman—‘cause I think food should nourish, not sicken, man and animals.

07/02/2009 00:11:50
United States-The Salmonella scandal

Department of Agriculture today announced that it is suspending, and proposing to debar, Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) and its subsidiary Tidewater Blanching LLC from doing business with the federal government. Effective immediately, PCA is excluded from participating in government contracts or subcontracts, as well as federal non procurement programs. PCA will also be excluded from doing business as agents or representatives of other contractors, including serving as a subcontractor to other individuals or companies doing business with the government.

The suspension will remain in effect for one year and the debarment is proposed for three years, beginning today.

“The actions of PCA indicate that the company lacks business integrity and business honesty, which seriously and directly hinders its ability to do business with the federal government,” said David Shipman, Acting Administrator of USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service.

Federal agencies are required to only conduct business with responsible contractors. PCA is being suspended, and its debarment is proposed, based on reports of evidence obtained by Minnesota and Connecticut state officials, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), that the sources of a current outbreak of illnesses caused by Salmonella are peanut butter and peanut paste produced or processed by PCA.

Within 30 days after receipt of the letter of suspension and proposed debarment, PCA may submit any information or argument in opposition to the actions being taken.

In a separate action, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack removed Stewart Parnell, President and CEO of the Peanut Corporation of America, as a member of USDA’s Peanut Standards Board. The Board advises the Secretary on quality and handling standards for domestic and imported peanuts marketed in the United States. Board members are expected to conduct themselves appropriately as appointees of the Federal Government to serve their industry and the public.

http://www.farminguk.com/news/......11111.asp