Fresh Produce Discussion Blog

Created by The Packer's National Editor Tom Karst

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Fw: Undeclared Sulfites in "Rehmat" Brand Apricots

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From: "U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA)" <fda@service.govdelivery.com>
Date: Tue, 7 Sep 2010 21:25:30 -0500
To: Tom Karst<TKarst@vancepublishing.com>
Subject: Undeclared Sulfites in "Rehmat" Brand Apricots

Undeclared Sulfites in "Rehmat" Brand Apricots
Tue, 07 Sep 2010 20:11:00 -0500

New York State Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker today alerted consumers that Tiger King Inc., located at 56-09 56th Drive, Maspeth, New York is recalling "Rehmat" brand Apricots due to the presence of undeclared sulfites. People who have severe sensitivity to sulfites may run the risk of serious or life-threatening reactions if they consume this product.

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posted by Tom Karst @ 9:31 PM 0 Comments

Fw: Agriculture Secretary Vilsack to Honor USDA Agricultural ExpertsWho Have Returned from Afghanistan and Iraq

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From: USDA Office of Communications <oc.news@usda.gov>
Date: Tue, 7 Sep 2010 11:31:32 -0500
To: Tom Karst<TKarst@vancepublishing.com>
Subject: Agriculture Secretary Vilsack to Honor USDA Agricultural Experts Who Have Returned from Afghanistan and Iraq

 
Media Advisory No. 4217.10 Contact:
USDA Office of Communications
(202) 720-4623

  Agriculture Secretary Vilsack to Honor USDA Agricultural Experts Who Have Returned from Afghanistan and Iraq
 
Vilsack to Highlight Obama Administration's Whole-of-Government Approach 
 
 

WASHINGTON, Sept. 7, 2010 – Tomorrow, Sept. 8, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and other USDA officials will honor 24 civilian agricultural experts who have returned to the United States from Afghanistan and Iraq at the USDA Jamie L. Whitten Building in Washington, D.C. At the event, Vilsack will highlight the important role agricultural development plays in creating economic stability.  

USDA civilian agricultural experts began serving in Afghanistan in 2003 and in Iraq in 2004 to help the people of each country rebuild their agricultural economies. Primarily, experts serve as extension agents within the military-civilian field units operating in the provinces of both countries; some serve in the respective U.S. Embassies and Ministries of Agriculture. In the field, experts plan and implement reconstruction and agricultural development projects to help Afghanistan and Iraq rebuild their agricultural sectors.  

At the conclusion of the ceremony, agricultural experts will be available to speak about their experiences to members of the credentialed media in attendance.

 
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
10:30 a.m. EDT
WHAT: Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services Deputy Under Secretary Darci Vetter will honor 24 civilian agricultural experts who have returned to the United States from Afghanistan and Iraq                       
WHERE:
Patio of USDA Jamie L. Whitten Building
1400 Jefferson Drive, SW 
Washington, DC 20250
MEDIA:  Credentialed members of the news media should RSVP by calling Matthew Herrick, (202) 720-0551, or by e-mailing Matthew.Herrick@fas.usda.gov .


USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).


This message was sent from USDA Office of Communications to tkarst@thepacker.com. It was sent from: OC News, USDA Office of Communications 1400 Independence Ave, SW, Washington, DC 20250-1300. You can modify/update your subscription via the link below.

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posted by Tom Karst @ 11:52 AM 0 Comments

Fw: USDA Official Visits Texas School to Highlight Childhood NutritionBenefits Provided Through the Recovery Act

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From: USDA Office of Communications <oc.news@usda.gov>
Date: Tue, 7 Sep 2010 10:59:24 -0500
To: Tom Karst<TKarst@vancepublishing.com>
Subject: USDA Official Visits Texas School to Highlight Childhood Nutrition Benefits Provided Through the Recovery Act

 
Release No. 0446.10 Contact:
USDA Office of Communications
(202) 720-4623

USDA Official Visits Texas School to Highlight Childhood Nutrition Benefits Provided Through the Recovery Act   


AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 7, 2010 – Today, USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services Janey Thornton visited a Texas elementary school to highlight Obama Administration efforts to improve school meals and viewed newly installed kitchen equipment. During her visit to the Decker Elementary School, Dr. Thornton highlighted how this equipment, funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, is helping to provide more nutritious meals and creating jobs in local communities.

"Improving the nutrition and health of our Nation's children is critical to solving the twin challenges of reducing both childhood hunger and obesity in this country,"said Thornton. "We know that the Child Nutrition Act that Congress is considering can improve the overall health and wellness of our kids, but Recovery Act investments of new cafeteria equipment are also contributing to this effort."

Through the Recovery Act, USDA Food Nutrition Service provided $100 million to National School Lunch Program state agencies for competitive grants to school food authorities for the purchase of school food service equipment to help schools stimulate their economies and support local communities. Texas' share was almost $11.5 million. Of that amount, Decker Elementary School received over $17,000 for kitchen equipment. The school replaced their deep fat fryers for convection ovens which will allow them to prepare healthier food for the children.

Improving USDA's child nutrition programs on behalf of 32 million kids across the nation is a top priority of the Obama Administration. Strengthening the Child Nutrition Act, which authorizes USDA's child nutrition programs including the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs, is the legislative centerpiece of First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! campaign. This legislation will serve as a down payment in battling hunger and food insecurity while providing critical resources to raise a generation of healthy children. To learn more about the First Lady's Let's Move! campaign, visit www.LetsMove.gov.

President Obama signed The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 into law on Feb. 17, 2009. It is designed to jumpstart the nation's economy, create or save millions of jobs and put a down payment on addressing long-neglected challenges so our country can thrive in the 21st century. The Act includes measures to modernize our nation's infrastructure, enhance energy independence, expand educational opportunities, preserve and improve affordable health care, provide tax relief, and protect those in greatest need. More information about the Federal government's efforts on the Recovery Act is available at www.recovery.gov.


USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).


This message was sent from USDA Office of Communications to tkarst@thepacker.com. It was sent from: OC News, USDA Office of Communications 1400 Independence Ave, SW, Washington, DC 20250-1300. You can modify/update your subscription via the link below.

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posted by Tom Karst @ 11:52 AM 0 Comments

Fw: The Ag Minute: FDA Should Use Science, Not Political Posturing WhenConsidering Antibiotic Use in Agriculture

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From: House Republican Agriculture Committee <agrepublicanpress@politicalmediagroup.com>
Date: Tue, 7 Sep 2010 09:05:52 -0500
To: Tom Karst<TKarst@vancepublishing.com>
ReplyTo: "tamara.hinton@mail.house.gov" <tamara.hinton@mail.house.gov>
Subject: The Ag Minute: FDA Should Use Science, Not Political Posturing When Considering Antibiotic Use in Agriculture

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 31, 2010
MEDIA CONTACT:
Tamara Hinton, 202.225.0184
tamara.hinton@mail.house.gov

The Ag Minute: FDA Should Use Science, Not Political Posturing
When Considering Antibiotic Use in Agriculture

WASHINGTON – This week during The Ag Minute, guest host Rep. John Shimkus, discusses how the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is considering a ban on the use of antibiotics in farm animals and how such a practice would negatively impact public health and American farm jobs.

Click here to listen to The Ag Minute. The transcript is below.

"Recently, the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health – on which I am the Ranking Republican – heard testimony about the use of antibiotics in farm animals. 

"During the hearing, we heard that veterinarians and producers have adopted and implemented judicious-use programs to ensure antibiotics are properly and safely used.  We also heard that the Food and Drug Administration is considering banning certain uses of antibiotics in animals despite the fact that other countries that have taken this approach have more than tripled the use of antibiotics to treat sick and dying animals. 

"In no case has any country demonstrated a direct human health benefit following prohibition of the specific uses of antibiotics now targeted by FDA.

"After talking to producers from my district and experts in the field, I understand this proposed ban could have serious negative consequences for both public health and jobs in the industry.

"FDA needs to make decisions based on sound science, not on unproven theories.  That science does not exist today.

"I do not believe it is appropriate to jeopardize our public health and thousands of American farm jobs based on political posturing and unproven theories."

The Ag Minute is Ranking Member Lucas's weekly radio address that is released each Tuesday from the House Agriculture Committee Republicans. To listen to previous radio addresses click here.

###

Agriculture Committee Republican Press Office
http://agriculture.house.gov/republicans



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posted by Tom Karst @ 9:11 AM 0 Comments