Asia Pacific | China intensifies regulation on food safety China's State Coun...

Asia Pacific

 

China intensifies regulation on food safety
China's State Council has published a circular calling for government departments to ensure food safety and safeguard people's health.

 

Top bosses step down at Nippon Meat Packers over meat mislabeling scandal
The top two bosses at Japan's leading meat packer stepped down Tuesday to take responsibility for a beef mislabeling scandal that has raised new concerns about Japanese corporate ethics and food safety.

 

Nippon Meat bosses to step down over beef scam

TOKYO, Aug. 20 Kyodo - Nippon Meat Packers Inc. President Hiroji Okoso said Tuesday he will step down by the end of August to take responsibility for a scandal in which the firm's unit falsely labeled beef to obtain state subsidies for mad cow disease.

 

Europe

 

BSE Strikes Again
Poland reports its second case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy.

 

USA

 

Farmland Industries Seeks Approval For Asset Sales
Farmland Industries Inc. (X.FRM) is seeking bankruptcy court approval to sell some of its assets under seven purchase agreements, according to court papers.

 

Trade Gap Narrows, Still Ahead for Year
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. trade deficit increased 8.1 percent in the first six months of 2002, while the total for June narrowed only slightly from the record level set in May, the Commerce Department said on Tuesday.

 

Democrats urge USDA to adjust US corn yield rules
WASHINGTON, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Senate Democrats on Monday urged the Bush administration to adjust its rules so farmers who feed grain to livestock will be able to update their yield data and qualify for larger U.S. subsidies.

 

No bids in U.S. Plains fed cattle markets-trade
CHICAGO, Aug 19 (Reuters) - U.S. Plains fed cattle markets were quiet on Monday as buyers visited feedlots to inspect this week's cattle but left without bidding, feedlot sources said.

 

Cold Storage Report: Red Meat Stocks Up

USDA reports frozen food stocks in refrigerated warehouses on July 31, 2002, were greater than year earlier levels for pork, poultry, red meat and beef.

 

USA: USDA launches nutrition reference tool on website
The US Department of Agriculture has launched an online reference tool for consumers wanting to know more about the nutritional content of foodstuffs than is printed on packaging.

 

Tyson Foods to restructure live swine operation\

Springdale, Ark.-based Tyson Foods Inc. announced plans Monday to restructure the company's live swine operation to more effectively position operations for the future, according to a news release.

 

Pork Producer Goes to the Pen
Former pork company employee receives a five-month prison sentence for illegally dumping pig manure.