Perk-Up Inc. is recalling these products because the chicken base products do not meet poultry products inspection or poultry exemption requirements. Specifically, it could not be determined that the poultry ingredients used in the chicken base products were prepared under inspection as required by federal regulations or under an eligible foreign inspection system determined to be equivalent. The poultry ingredient is determined to be ineligible when the source of the ingredients cannot be determined.

The products subject to recall include: 5-pound pails of “Panda Brand Chicken Base Concentrado De Caldo De Pollo” (each container also bears the case code "2700031") and 5-pound bags of "Panda Brand Chicken Base Concentrado De Caldo De Pollo" (each package also bears the case code "2700200").

The chicken base products were imported from China on various dates from May 2008 to September 2008. The chicken base products were sent to distribution establishments nationwide. The problem was discovered after FSIS personnel identified the chicken base products in the marketplace. FSIS has received no reports of illness as a result of consuming this product.

Source: Food Safety and Inspection Service

Chicken products recalled over spice Salmonella concern

The following products are subject to recall: 9.38 lb. packages of EDS Wrap and Roll Foods LLC "Chicken Egg Roll" which contains 100 pieces of 1.5 ounce chicken egg rolls; and 18.75 lb. packages of EDS Wrap and Roll Foods LLC "Chicken Egg Roll" which contains 100 pieces of 3.0 ounce chicken egg rolls.

The frozen chicken egg rolls were produced between July 28, 2008 and March 27, 2009 and bear case codes "80210 through 80365" or "90001 through 90089." The packages bear the establishment number "P-20350" within the USDA Mark of Inspection printed on the side of the packages.

FSIS learned of the problem from the California Department of Public Health as a result of an ongoing investigation into the dry spice recall announced by FDA. FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with the consumption of these frozen chicken egg rolls. The chicken egg roll products were distributed to restaurants and institutions in California.

Source: Food Safety and Inspection Service

Study touts successes with pea-fed beef

The idea for the study began, AgWeek reports, when animal scientist Vern Anderson was approached by some North Dakota pea growers about the results they’d found when they added peas into cattle diets. Anderson, who works at the North Dakota State University’s Carrington Research Extension Center, has since performed two studies involving pea feed, with positive results.

NDSU’s Beef Systems Center of Excellence has joined the testing. “We’ve got research on the front burner with grants that are being considered as we speak, to fund testing multiple muscles, and to test components of the pea,” Anderson says. He says the study is getting cooperation from the North Dakota Beef Commission and area pea growers, but he would like to see more support from the cattle industry.

One area that may stand to benefit from the study is Canadian beef, as peas are more widely grown in Canada, and the country already has a pea-feeding network in place for swine and poultry.

Source: AgWeek

NCBA hails Senate vote on Death Tax

“This is a huge victory for America’s farmers and ranchers,” said Gary Voogt, NCBA President and rancher from Marne, Mich. “Nearly half of NCBA’s members have operations that have been in their families for more than one generation, and they should have the right and the ability to pass these operations on to their children and grandchildren.”

The Lincoln-Kyl amendment would raise the death tax exemption to $5 million per individual and $10 million per couple, indexed for inflation. Under this amendment, the maximum tax rate is reduced to 35 percent. Currently, estates valued at more than $3.5 million, or $7 million for a couple, are taxed at a 45 percent rate. President Obama has proposed freezing it at this level so it can be dealt with at a later date. But if Congress doesn’t act to freeze or reduce the estate tax, in 2011, it will revert to a staggering 55 percent tax on estates worth only $1 million or more.

“This vote was a recognition of the extraordinary burden the death tax places on average Americans trying to pass on family cattle operations,” said NCBA Manager of Legislative Affairs Jill Davidsaver. “The amendments don’t have the force of law, but they are important guidelines for committees that have jurisdiction over the policies in the amendments.”

“Many farmers and ranchers are what we call ‘land rich and cash poor,’” explained Voogt. “This is not a tax cut for the rich. Cattle producers are often forced to sell off land, farm equipment, parts of the operation, or the entire ranch just to pay off liabilities under the death tax. This vote was a strong show of support for our producers, and we appreciate the Senators who stood up for their rights.”

“We’ll continue to push for a full repeal of the estate tax, but we realize that may not be viable right now in the current political and economic climate. The Lincoln-Kyl amendment is the best option to provide relief in the meantime,” Voogt stated.

Source: National Cattlemen’s Beef Association