China sets date for accepting U.S. pork shipments
By Rita Jane Gabbett on 5/17/2010
China gave official notice on May 13 that it is accepting shipments of U.S. pork produced on or after May 1, according to USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, but USDA is still negotiating in an effort to roll back that eligibility date.
In March, the United States and China agreed to reopen the Chinese market to U.S. pork imports after closing its borders in late April 2009 in the wake of the H1N1 influenza outbreak, which the media misnamed “swine” flu.
“USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service is working with Chinese officials to adjust the product eligibility date to March 24, 2010 — the date specified in the original agreement to reopen China’s market to U.S. pork and pork products,” an FSIS spokesman told Meatingplace.
Shipments must be accompanied by an H1N1 addendum certificate, available on the FSIS Export Library.
“This is tremendous news for U.S. pork producers,” said National Pork Producers Council President Sam Carney in news release. “China is one of our biggest markets, so being able to ship pork there is extremely important to the U.S. pork industry.
NPPC said it is continuing to urge the Obama administration to press China to address a number of other trade-related issues that limit U.S. pork imports. Among those issues are China’s ban on U.S. pork produced with ractopamine, subsidies China provides its domestic pork producers and a value-added tax it imposes on imports.
The U.S. pork industry exported nearly 400,000 metric tons of pork worth nearly $690 million to China and Hong Kong in 2008, making it the No. 3 destination for U.S. pork. Last year, U.S. pork exports to China and Hong Kong were down by 38 percent, falling to just under $427 million, according to NPPC.
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E. coli fears prompt ground beef recall
By Lisa M. Keefe on 5/17/2010
Montclair Meat Co. Inc. in Montclair, Calif., is recalling about 53,000 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.
The products subject to recall include various pound packages of “Montclair Meat Co. Ground Beef” and various pound packages of “Montclair Meat Co. All Beef Patties”.
Each package bears establishment number “Est. 6116” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These ground beef products were produced between the dates of May 3 through May 13, 2010, and were shipped to retailers and federal establishments for further processing in the Los Angeles metropolitan area.
The problem was discovered through FSIS microbiological sampling. FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products.
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Mayo Clinic suggests meatless alternatives
By Rita Jane Gabbett on 5/17/2010
The Mayo Clinic issued a news release last week highlighting the May issue of Mayo Clinic Women’s HealthSource, which offered options “to expand the repertoire of meatless meals.”
“Sure, a healthy diet can include an occasional steak or chop,” the release stated. “But people who eat mainly plant-based diets generally have lower blood cholesterol and blood pressure levels and a reduced risk of heart disease, obesity and type 2 diabetes.”
The release went on to suggest meatless alternatives including: beans and legumes, tofu, tempeh, textured vegetable protein, seitan, quinoa and nuts and seeds.
“Cutting back on meat doesn’t mean worries about adequate protein,” the Clinic advised. “It’s not difficult to reach a woman’s daily recommendation for protein — about 45 grams — by eating a variety of vegetables, beans, legumes, grains and nuts. Eggs and dairy products are good sources of protein, too.”
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