USDA

U.S. Per Capita Availability of Red Meat, Poultry, and Seafood on the Rise

December 4, 2019 Jeanine Bentley, USDA / Amber Waves

After falling from 148.6 pounds in 2004 to 133.5 pounds in 2014, the per capita supply of red meat, poultry, and fish/shellfish available for Americans to eat after adjusting for losses rose to 143.9 pounds in 2017. Red meat (beef, pork, veal, and lamb) accounted for 51 percent of 2017’s 143.9-pound total, compared with 42 percent for poultry (chicken and turkey) and 7 percent for fish and shellfish. …

USDA to Implement Alternative Method Program for AMS-Designated Laboratories that Conduct Microbiological Testing of Boneless and Ground Beef

October 14, 2019 U.S. Department of Agriculture

beginning November 1, 2019, AMS will evaluate requests from AMS-designated laboratories to use methods different from those specified in the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) Microbiology Laboratory Guidebook (MLG) to test beef that AMS intends to purchase. …

USDA Revises Apple Standards

October 3, 2019 USDA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) amended the U.S. Standards for Grades of Apples to remove smooth net-like russeting as a grade-determining factor for Fuji apples in the U.S. Extra Fancy, U.S. Fancy and U.S. No. 1 grades. …

U.S. Department of Agriculture Designates September National Mushroom Month

September 5, 2019 American Mushroom Institute

By Proclamation, signed by Agriculture Secretary Sonny Purdue, mushrooms are recognized for their “nutritional value and other outstanding attributes.” The Proclamation also encourages “greater appreciation and use of mushrooms.” …

Grimmway Farms Hosts USDA Deputy Secretary Censky

September 4, 2019 Grimmway Farms

Conducted under the leadership of Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, the visit to Grimmway signified one of many listening sessions the Deputy Secretary is pursuing to learn more about key issues facing California farmers. …