USDA Press Release

Fill Your Picnic Basket with Food Safety to Avoid Getting Sick this Memorial Day

May 22, 2019 — Memorial Day kicks off the official start of summer. The U.S. Department of Agriculture wants to remind you to prevent foodborne illness before you light up that grill and pack up the cooler. Hot and humid weather combined with outdoor activities, provide the perfect environment for harmful bacteria to multiply on food and make people sick.

Fill your picnic basket with these items that will help keep your summer fun while handling food at your Memorial Day gathering:

Nacogdoches USDA Farm Service Agency Accepting Emergency Conservation Program Applications

May 22, 2019 Nacogdoches – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director Lance Jacobs today announced the Nacogdoches USDA Service Center is accepting applications for the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP). This program addresses damages from Tornadic Activity on Saturday, April 13, 2019 in Nacogdoches County and Wednesday, April 24, 2019 in San Augustine County. ECP signup will begin on May 13, 2019, and end on June 11, 2019.

The approved ECP practices under this authorization include:

Tyson Foods, Inc. Recalls Chicken Strip Products

May 5, 2019 - Tyson Foods, Inc., a Rogers, Ark. establishment, is recalling approximately 11,829,517 million pounds of frozen, ready-to-eat chicken strip products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically pieces of metal, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

Conagra Brands, Inc. Recalls Chicken Pad Thai, Chicken Fried Rice Products

May 5, 2019 - Conagra Brands, Inc., a Russellville, Ark. establishment, is recalling approximately 2,094,186 pounds of frozen entrees due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The product contains milk, a known allergen, which is not declared on the product label.

USDA Extends Deadline to May 17 for Producers to Certify 2018 Crop Production for Market Facilitation Program Payments

April 29, 2019 – USDA extended the deadline to May 17 from May 1 for agricultural producers to certify 2018 crop production for payments through the Market Facilitation Program (MFP), which helps producers who have been significantly affected by foreign tariffs, resulting in the loss of traditional exports. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) extended the deadline because heavy rainfall and snowfall have delayed harvests in many parts of the country, preventing producers from certifying acres.

Letter to the Editor: On Farms and Ranches, Every Day Is Earth Day

By: Gary Six, State Executive Director, Texas Farm Service Agency and Salvador Salinas Texas, State Conservationist, Natural Resources Conservation Service

USDA Announces Buy-Up Coverage Availability, New Service Fees for Noninsured Crop Coverage Policies

Changes apply Beginning April 8, 2019

April 9, 2019 Washington – USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) today announced that higher levels of coverage will be offered through the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP), a popular safety net program, beginning April 8, 2019. The 2018 Farm Bill also increased service fees and made other changes to the program, including service fee waivers for qualified military veterans interested in obtaining NAP coverage.

USDA to Host 2018 Farm Bill Implementation Listening Session

February 13, 2019 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Bill Northey announced that USDA is hosting a listening session for initial input on the 2018 Farm Bill. USDA is seeking public input on the changes to existing programs implemented by the Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Risk Management Agency. Each agency will take into account stakeholder input when making discretionary decisions on program implementation.

Panola County Processing, LLC Recalls Sausage Products Due to Possible Processing Deviation

February 11, 2019 - Panola County Processing, LLC, a Carthage, Texas establishment, is voluntarily recalling approximately 59 pounds of smoked sausage products due to a processing deviation that may have led to underprocessing of products, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The pork smoked sausage links and venison and pork sausage links items were produced on Jan. 29, 2019. The following products are subject to recall:

Spread Holiday Cheer, Not Foodborne Illnesses, This Season

December 11, 2018 Washington – If you’re cooking for friends and family this holiday season, it’s important to make sure you’re not spreading bacteria that can cause harmful foodborne illnesses.

A recent study by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and North Carolina State University found that Americans are practicing some disturbing food handling behaviors when it comes to preparing food at home.

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