Extent of Hard Cooked Egg Recall

Feb 20, 2012

Reference to the CDC website <www.cdc.gov> confirms the extent of the recall of hard cooked peeled eggs and egg salad products.  To date, 30 food establishments have recalled product in 35 states following the recognition of contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. Fortunately there have been no reports of either morbidity or mortality as a result of the contamination from the product which was reportedly manufactured by the Wakefield NE plant operated by Michael Foods. 

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Help Sought for Haitian Egg Farms

Feb 20, 2012

EcoWorks International (EWI), a 501(c3) non-profit philanthropic organization is attempting to establish an egg production farm to house 20,000 layers in Ganthier in the vicinity of Port au Prince. EcoWorks International <www.ecoworksinternational.org> has been active in Haiti since 2009, designing and implementing projects contributing to improved education, health care, the environment and agriculture.  The mission of the organization is to break the cycle of poverty through integrated sustainable programs with socioeconomic benefits. 

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2012 IPE Attendance

Feb 20, 2012

USPOULTRY has announced that the 2012 International Poultry Expo drew 20,651 poultry and feed industry attendees.  The annual premier poultry-related event in the World is jointly sponsored by U.S. Poultry and Egg Association (USPOULTRY) and the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA).  In analyzing attendance figures USPOULTRY confirmed that there were 4,142 international visitors from 100 nations. 

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Midwest Conference Fast Approaching

Feb 20, 2012

The Midwest Poultry Federation convention is set for March 13^th-15^th in Saint Paul., MN.  Preregistration can be arranged by contacting the program director, Lara Durben <lara@midwestpoultry.com>.  Online registration is also available.

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Egg Exports

Feb 20, 2012

According to data released by the USDA, table egg exports for calendar 2011 attained 82.8 million dozen valued at $77 million, corresponding to a unit price of 92.9 cents per dozen.  The 20 cent per dozen increase compared to calendar 2010 represented a rise of 27.4%.  The corresponding volume and values for 2010 shell egg exports were 74.1 million dozen valued at $60.4 million.  During 2011 Hong Kong was the largest importer with 42% of total volume followed by Canada (27%), the U.A.E (9.4%) and Japan (4.1%).

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AAAP Supports H.R. 3798

Feb 17, 2012

The American Association of Avian Pathologist (AAAP) will support H.R. 3798 which will enforce the details of the agreement between the HSUS and UEP.  The welfare requirements mandated by the agreement and incorporated in legislation include policies on molting, housing systems including floor space and egg branding to indicate housing system.

“Ping-Pong” Eggs from China

Feb 17, 2012

Just when we thought nothing new could emanate from the Peoples Republic of China, media reports describe “rubber eggs” also referred to as “ping-pong eggs”.  The unlikely explanation according to the Xinhua News Agency is that inclusion of high levels of cottonseed meal containing gossypol is responsible for the change in the composition of the albumen.  Gossypol will result in discoloration of the yolk and at high levels will suppress egg production hence skepticism as to the stated “cause” of the problem.

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Animal Agriculture Alliance Security Recommendations

Feb 17, 2012

Kay Johnson of Animal Agriculture Alliance has reissued a 2008 review of security recommendations which relate directly to intrusion by animal activists resulting in either adverse publicity or vandalism.

The four-page document reviews necessary installations which will require capital investment, and expenditure for additional operational procedures and preemptive action.

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Controversy over Supermarket Purchases under the SNAP Program

Feb 13, 2012

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) administered by the USDA is undergoing scrutiny by a number of state legislatures which help fund and administer the program.  At issue is whether recipients of SNAP assistance can purchase sodas, snacks and other food products deemed “unhealthful junk”. 

Currently 46 million U.S. citizens are consuming groceries purchased with SNAP funds.  Attempts to restrict purchases have been introduced into the legislatures of Illinois, Oregon, California, Vermont and Texas although none of the bills have been passed.  A Bill sponsored by Ronda Storms which was approved 4 to 2 last week in the Florida State Senate by the Committee on Child and Elderly Affairs is being vigorously opposed. 

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HSUS Gain Publicity from NC "Puppy Mills"

Feb 13, 2012

Newspapers in the state of North Carolina have published reports on the “rescue” of dogs from so-called “puppy mills” in the State. Conditions at some of these operations in many cases border on willful neglect and exploitation.  Many of these unregulated enterprises are located in rural locations where they multiply popular breeds, frequently holding their breeders and progeny under appalling conditions of management and hygiene.

The HSUS has exploited this situation in a number of states including North Carolina by engendering publicity through “raids”.  A bill to license and regulate commercial-scale dog breeders was introduced into the North Carolina legislature in 2009 and was passed by the Senate.  Subsequently the House rejected S.B. 460 as being “too divisive”. 

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The Komen Controversy — A Parallel to the HSUS

Feb 13, 2012

Recent adverse publicity has drawn attention to the Susan G. Komen Foundation and its activities.  Although the avowed intent of this mega-charity has been to find the cause and the cure for breast cancer the organization has progressively diverted funding away from research.  According to their most recent financial statement, Komen raised $420 million in 2011 with an allocation of 15% to awards and grants to clinical research specialists and universities. Although 15% of income represents $63 million, the proportion of income spent on research is considerably less than the 29% allocated in 2008. 

In total Komen has reported funding of $685 million over 30 years for basic and applied research. By contrast Big-Pharma allocates 20% or more of revenue to research and development. In contrast to charities, these public corporations have to generate profit to provide shareholders with ever increasing dividends and long-term capital growth. To their credit Komen spend less than 20% of income on fund-raising and administration.  Their largest expenditure is on “education” which amounts to 43% of donations.

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