Latest USDA Stories

Innovative and effective OTC treatment for itchy skin ready to hit store shelves. Bergen County, New Jersey (PRWEB) May 21, 2013 The first ever over-the-counter anti-itch ointment remedy to carry the USDA Organic Certified Seal, Anti Itchbalm, is ready to come to pharmacies and drug stores across the country. It's an innovative and effective product which will help attract more customers to independently owned pharmacies looking to better serve their community. US Organic Group Corp....

Quarterly Index Finds Foreign Objects Responsible for 28 Percent of USDA Recalls; Sports Equipment Recalls Rising INDIANAPOLIS, May 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the ExpertRECALL Index released today, nearly three out of four food recalls in the first quarter of this year were issued by companies facing two or more recalls during the 90-day period, a situation that is taxing the resources of food companies to successfully navigate the logistical challenges and regulatory...

Delivers agency guidance to remove obstacles to the growth of organic production WASHINGTON, May 14, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Speaking today to member-attendees of the Organic Trade Association's (OTA's) Policy Conference, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack officially recognized the unique production system covering U.S. organic agriculture, and announced guidance to remove agency obstacles to its continued growth. (Photo:...

redOrbit Staff & Wire Reports – Your Universe Online Stricter control of temperature while refrigerating food, keeping food contact surfaces clean and sanitary, and wearing gloves while serving customers could help prevent the spread of the bacterial disease listeria at delicatessens and other food-related businesses, US health officials claim in a new report. The report, released by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Friday,...

Lawrence LeBlond for redOrbit.com - Your Universe Online Less than a day after a Houston-area gardener spotted what was believed to be a giant African land snail, a USDA spokeswoman reported Thursday (May 9) the creature is actually a rosy wolfsnail (Euglandina rosea). The rosy wolfsnail, also known as the cannibal snail, is a native North American species and is commonly found in Texas. Tanya Espinosa of the USDA said there is no evidence that the giant African land snail is in Texas....

Outstanding Business Volume Up 11% Year Over Year WASHINGTON, May 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation (Farmer Mac; NYSE: AGM and AGM.A) today announced that it grew its total outstanding business volume to a new high of $13.4 billion as of March 31, 2013, compared to $13.0 billion as of December 31, 2012 and $12.1 billion as of March 31, 2012. New business volume for first quarter 2013 was $904.1 million, including the purchase of $425.0 million in...

Following an article published by Capital News, which details the USDA’s new program to reduce paperwork for organic farming, Colle Farmers Market says the initiative could increase the desire to get certified to become an organic farm. Bohemia, NY (PRWEB) May 06, 2013 On May 6, Colle Farmers Market responds to an article published by Capital News, which discusses the USDA’s efforts to make the National Organic Program more efficient. According to the article published by Capital...

Organic Soap and Spa has completely revamped its baby care line with new offerings and even "greener" formulas. Lavender Baby Powder contains only two ingredients and is so organic, it's actually edible. Boulder, CO (PRWEB) May 04, 2013 Baby skin care is an evolving area where organics are really gaining the attention and interest of parents concerned about their children's exposure to potentially harmful chemicals. "According to the FDA, chemicals are absorbed...

US Department of Agriculture deserves credit for its progress ATLANTA, April 26, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pigford consent decree on April 14, 1999 marked a productive first step toward compensating thousands of black farmers who faced decades of discrimination from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) over a 16-year period. Fourteen years later, as the commitments in the settlement are complete, the Network of Black Farm Groups and Advocates claim the lawsuit succeeded....

World Expert on Clean Rice Sourcing, David Janow, Sets Record Straight CULVER CITY, Calif., April 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- On April 11, 2013, Dr. Tsananagurayi Tongesayi of Monmouth University presented a study at the American Chemical Society announcing that "rice from Asia, Europe and South America had 20-60 times higher toxic levels of lead than is allowed by the Food & Drug Administration." The news caused an international uproar, as breaking news outlets from BBC to TIME...