There have been multiple E. coli outbreaks linked to fresh produce, especially leafy greens such as romaine lettuce, in the past few years. In several of those outbreaks, agricultural water has been implicated as the source of that pathogen. So the FDA has proposed a new agricultural water safety rule for use on produce. The rule would require farms to conduct comprehensive assessments that will help them identify and mitigate hazards in water that is used to grow produce. This is the latest step in the implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) of 2011. This proposed rule will replace some of the existing requirements for agricultural water in the Produce Safety Rule. Frank Yiannas, FDA Deputy Commissioner for Food Policy and Response said in a statement, "There … [Read more...]
Public Interest Groups Join International Chorus: No Ractopamine In US Meat
Two public interest groups are the latest to add their voices to an international chorus of concern about the feed additive ractopamine. The Center for Food Safety and the Animal Legal Defense Fund have filed a petition with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) calling for the agency to reduce allowable levels of the drug and to conduct a comprehensive study of its effects on human and animal health. The petition comes on the heels of Russia’s December announcement that will add its name to the list of roughly 160 countries that ban or restrict ractopamine, including China, Taiwan and every member nation in the European Union. Manufactured by Elanco, a division of Eli Lilly, ractopamine goes by different names for different animals applications: Paylean for pigs, Optaflexx for … [Read more...]
For Aspiring Vets It’s All About Pets, Not Public, Food or Research Jobs
It's all about pets for aspiring vets these days. There aren't enough veterinary students interested in public sector, food or research jobs, according to a new study published by the National Academies of Science. Over 50 percent of veterinary students are interested in companion animal care. And, of those students, a significant percentage is interested in specialty areas such as surgery, oncology, and orthopedic medicine, according to the report. As a result, many veterinary schools have focused their curricula on companion animal care, while other important subjects such as infectious diseases, public health, and environmental toxicology have taken a back seat. Already, veterinary positions in the public sector are unfilled in important areas such as epidemiology, food safety, … [Read more...]
