Possible poisoned meat recalled by USDA
The United States Department of Agriculture has announced a recall of some 300,000 p0unds of meat that may be contaminated with Listeria Bacteria. The Bacteria can cause foodborne illness marked by fever chills and gastric disturbance.
Affected products include Silver Lake Brand, Argentina Pride, Dirusso, Buona Vita and Mama Isabella brand prepared foods including meatballs, dinner loafs, burger patties and other prepackaged meats. A full list is available here on the USDA web site. Although there has been a warning issued, no illnesses have yet been reported. Lily Kuo of Reuters says that the bacteria is dangerous because it can grow in cool conditions, like refrigerators. “Listeria bacteria thrive in low temperatures. Outbreaks are usually associated with deli meats, unpasteurized cheeses and smoked refrigerated seafood products,” she said.
Feds should combat armyworm threat says Schumer
Senator Chuck Schumer has called upon the United States Department of Agriculture to fight against the armyworm pest that threatens crops across the region. Weather conditions this spring created a perfect storm that allowed the armyworm larval populations to explode.
The pest is a threat to crops because they eat the leaves of growing plants and can destroy an entire field of vegetation in a matter of days. The worm is the larval stage (caterpillar) of a moth. When prevailing conditions allow, the caterpillars will eat all food in a given area, after which they migrate to another area and repeat the process.
“Armyworms are one visitor that no family farmer in Upstate New York can afford to live with this summer,” said Schumer. “As this pest devours crop fields and lawns at an alarming pace across Western and Central New York, the Rochester Finger Lakes, and the North Country, I am urging the USDA to rank the armyworm a ‘high priority pest’ in their agricultural research and action docket.
