Guinea Pigs On The Plate & Food Safety plus Blaming Phil

Guinea Pigs On The Plate & Food Safety plus Blaming Phil. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Northwest Report.

The Food Safety Modernization Act is the first significant upgrade in 75 years and generally emphasizes prevention of foodborne illness instead of just reacting to an outbreak. ODA Director Katy Coba wants to make sure everyone is aware of the two proposed rules drafted so far by FDA.

COBA:  We’re really at the stage where the rules are being drafted and we are looking at comments from those affected on the rules. Now is the time that it is finally hitting producers in particular, maybe more so than processors, wow– we had no idea this was as big as it is.

Usually the word rodent and restaurant don’t go together but while some places are contemplating processing and using horse meat others are serving Guinea Pigs. Doubtful that this will take the country by storm but some are saying it’s a lot more environmentally conscious than raising cattle with a smaller carbon footprint and less impact on the land can rodent ranchers be far behind? Fans of the roast Guinea Pig say they're tasty, tender, and oily.

Now, speaking of rodents, Gary Crawford has a report all about blaming Phil.

(USDA Report)

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