Meat & Poultry

The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is alerting the public that, in conducting standard recall effectiveness checks of U.S. domestic establishments receiving beef from XL Foods, Inc. (Canadian Establishment 038), the Agency discovered that whole muscle beef cuts produced on the same production dates as beef subject to recall in Canada were being used to produce raw ground products. Specifically, FSIS discovered that sub-primal materials (i.e., beef short ribs) produced on the same production dates as beef subject to recall in Canada were being used by a U.S. facility to manufacture other products and that the beef short ribs were being trimmed in order for the trim to be used to make ground beef. …

U.S. hog farmers are slaughtering animals at the fastest pace since 2009 as a surge in feed costs spurs the biggest losses in 14 years, signaling smaller herds next year and a rebound in pork prices. …

Jackson State University, the National Urban League and Tyson Foods, Inc., donated a truckload of food to the Mississippi Food Network this week as part of an effort to feed people in need and promote public awareness of hunger in Mississippi. …

The Cattlemen’s Beef Board will invest about $40.3 million into programs of beef promotion, research, consumer information, industry information, foreign marketing and producer communications in Fiscal Year 2013, if today’s recommendation of the Beef Promotion Operating Committee is approved by USDA, following review by the full Beef Board. …

"How big is too big?" is the question on the minds of cattle feeders. Shawn Walter, owner and president of Professional Cattle Consultants in Hydro, Okla., said carcass weights continue to climb. Retail and food service don't mind the larger carcasses because they give them more product to sell and more pounds of ground beef. However, they also are then challenged with larger cuts to deal with and how to serve them. …