Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins has a new plan to reduce foodborne illnesses. The latest initiative from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) outlines five key areas of focus for the Food Safety and Inspection Service, including enhanced testing, updated training for inspectors, a new approach to Salmonella in poultry, and expanding state partnerships.
Secretary Rollins made the announcement yesterday at the grand opening of a new food safety lab in Missouri, where researchers will do Listeria testing.
The USDA says the new facility will enable more in-person food safety assessments, with Rollins also indicating that the department will collaborate more closely with state safety programs to ensure expectations are met.
A report from the US PIRG Education Fund revealed a 25 percent increase in confirmed foodborne illnesses in 2024, accompanied by a significant rise in severe cases, including hospitalizations and deaths, many of which were associated with outbreaks involving Listeria, Salmonella, or E. coli.
Dr. Jeffrey Gold, president of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, joins us on Rural Health Matters to discuss winter safety reminders and preparedness.
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Richard Gupton of the Agricultural Retailers Association discusses the EPA’s new decision on over-the-top Dicamba and what it means for growers this year.
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Gretchen Kuck of the National Corn Growers Association joined us to discuss the Ag Coalition for USMCA’s report findings and expectations ahead of the upcoming USMCA review.
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The agreement formalizes coordination between the two departments to address security concerns affecting U.S. agriculture.
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Strong corn exports offer support, while soybeans and wheat remain weighed down by ample global supplies, according to the USDA’s latest WASDE report for February.
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Higher livestock prices reflect resilient demand, even as disease and herd shifts reshape 2026 supply expectations.
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