FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Frozen, Raw Ground Beef Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination

The frozen, raw ground beef items were produced on December 10, 2024. The following product is subject to the public health alert: vacuum-sealed packages weighing approximately one pound containing “Turner Farm”, “STOCKYARDS PACKING COMPANY GROUND BEEF.”

USDA Announces 5 New Members to the National Organic Standards Board

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the appointment of five new members to the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). The NOSB is made up of 15 members from the organic sector. The new members announced will serve five-year terms, from January 2025 through January 2030.

APHIS Announces Updates to Indemnity Program for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza on Poultry Farms

Based on evidence that strong biosecurity measures remain the most effective strategy to combat HPAI, APHIS will now require that farmers undergo a biosecurity audit before restocking their poultry after an HPAI detection, and before receiving future indemnity payments.

USDA Appoints 11 Members to Potatoes USA’s Board of Directors

December 30, 2024 Potatoes USA 

The appointees include nine producer members and one public member, who will serve three-year terms that expire Feb. 28, 2028. One producer member will serve a two-year term that expires on February 28, 2027.

FSIS Announces Stronger Measures to Protect the Public from Listeria Monocytogenes

The changes FSIS is announcing fall into three categories: enhancing its science-based approach to mitigate foodborne pathogens, with a key focus on Listeria monocytogenes; improving training and tools for its inspection workforce; and evolving its oversight of regulated facilities, with an emphasis on data review and state inspection agreements.