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.
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Justin Wheeler with the American Society of Farm Managers & Rural Appraisers joined us with insight into current farmland values and what to watch in the year ahead.
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Strong White House backing supports ethanol demand, but timing now hinges on Congress resolving procedural — at the same time as they push toward a spending bill to avert another federal government shutdown.
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Mixed product pricing and rising milk supplies suggest margin management will remain critical as 2026 unfolds.
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