FDA report shows Dole officials knew about Listeria in facility

Company officials knew a Dole salad plant was contaminated with Listeria for a year and a half before they shut it down. They acted only after the U.S. and Canadian governments traced a deadly outbreak to the facility — and four people had died. Read more at Food Safety News ...

Sen. Pat Roberts thinks chicken welfare is 'absolutely ridiculous'

The USDA’s new proposed rules for treatment of chickens that produce organic eggs include some basic changes for density and treatment of hens. Kansas Sen. Pat Roberts, though, wonders if chicken enrichment includes yoga and video games. Read more at Modern Farmer ...

Lawsuit accuses Jessica Alba's Honest Co. of falsely labeling infant formula

The Organic Consumers Association alleges that the Honest Co.'s infant formula “contains 11 substances prohibited by federal law from organics.” Company representatives say the lawsuit will be dismissed, but it's not Honest's only troubles. Read more at Los Angeles Times ...

Keeping bees safe: It's a ruff job, but this doggy detective gets it done

The Maryland Department of Agriculture's newest apiary inspector is 2 years old and has four legs, yellow fur and quite the nose. Meet Mack, a Lab who sniffs beehives in search of American foulbrood, a bacterial disease that can kill bee colonies. Read more at NPR ...

Big Ag fights to keep pesticide that's linked to brain problems in kids

The Environmental Protection Agency is finally poised to revoke all uses of the pesticide chlorpyrifos, which first came on line as a pest control technology in 1965. During a House subcommittee meeting this week, Big Ag continued to fight the move. Read more at EWG.org ...