Ag in the News

12/07/2009

National and International

Beef Packers recalls more ground beef linked to salmonella outbreak
Beef Packers Inc. is recalling more ground beef that's been linked to an outbreak of salmonellosis in Arizona, the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced. MORE!

Woman paralyzed after E. coli infection sues Cargill for $100 million
Foodborne illness attorney Bill Marler said he filed a $100 million lawsuit against Cargill on behalf of 22-year–old former dance instructor Stephanie Smith. Two years ago, she was left paralyzed by complications that followed eating a hamburger tainted by E. coli O157:H7 that was traced back to Cargill. MORE!

USDA putting big bucks behind biofuels
U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack Friday announced 19 biorefinery projects will receive up to $564 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to accelerate construction and operation of pilot, demonstration, and commercial scale facilities. MORE!

USDA gets $100 million from recovery act for food purchases
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has provided an additional $100 million to purchase foods and $50 million to assist food banks with administrative costs for USDA's Emergency Food Assistance Program, the agency announced. MORE!

Marfrig sells shares worth $882 mln to finance Cargill unit purchase
Brazilian meat processor Marfrig Alimentos S.A. sold 79 million shares worth $882 million through a primary share offer on the Brazilian Stock Exchange to finance its purchase of Cargill unit Seara Alimentos Ltd., the company said Friday in a statement. MORE!

Meatingplace webinar: Winning the ground (beef) war against E. coli
Meatingplace is hosting a free webinar on Dec. 9 at 2:00 p.m. EST on interventions and testing from slaughter to further processing related to eliminating E. coli O157:H7 from ground beef. MORE!