Beef Recall & New Study

Beef Recall & New Study

Beef Recall & New Study plus Food Forethought. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Northwest Report.

USDA is doing a three year, 38 state study to verify if high tunnels or hoop houses are effective in reducing pesticide use, keeping vital nutrients in the soil, extending the growing season and increasing yields. High tunnels are basically lower end greenhouses. Dave White is Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

WHITE: Inside you are making better use of your nutrients, you’re using less pesticides, less chemicals, you’re seeing better soil quality as a result.

A beef recall is under way in a half-dozen states involving possibly contaminated products from the Oklahoma company National Steak and Poultry, according to the firm and federal inspectors. USDA officials said a cluster of illnesses involving the E. coli bacteria was reported in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, South Dakota and Washington state. A consumer hotline at the company carries a recorded message noting "this is the first recall in our company's nearly 30-year history." The company did not acknowledge any contamination in its beef processing or packaging facilities, but the recording said the firm "will err on the side of being cautious" with the recall.

Now with today’s Food Forethought, here’s Lacy Gray.

One bad apple won’t spoil the whole bunch girl, but I guess that all depends on how big and bad the apple might be. New York Cities Department of Health or as I like to refer to them, the NY food nannies, are still on the rampage  over soft drinks. The Big Apple is spending thousands of dollars in advertising in order to attack the sweetened drink industry. Their latest ad campaign features a man pouring supposed “fat” from a soda can into a glass, which he then proceeds to chug. It would be interesting to interview the average New Yorker and ask them what they feel is the biggest threat to their safety, health and well being. Is it the cities gang activity, illegal drug trade, over population, traffic congestion and air pollution, or is it that number one “evil” that’s always ready to strike, soda pop? Hey, New York food police, how about focusing on something that your city’s population could really benefit from such as promoting agricultural environmental stewardship or supporting those school programs that provide and inform students on healthy food choices and introduces and connects them to local farmers and food producers.

Thanks Lacy. That’s today’s Northwest Report. I’m Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.

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