More Brazilian meat scandal (Bloomberg): In the wake of Brazilian meat giant JBS’s ongoing fraud investigation, another Brazilian meat company is in the spotlight. Emails among emails at poultry company BSF suggest widespread food safety fraud.
Trouble for canola deal (Omaha World-Herald): The FTC on Monday filed a legal complaint against J.M. Smucker’s proposed acquisition of Wesson Oil from Conagra. The $285 million deal would unite Crisco and Wesson under one roof, meaning Smucker would have a 70 percent share of the vegetable oil market.
Good news in the Chesapeake Bay (NPR): New data shows that seagrass growth has risen dramatically in the Chesapeake Bay in the past 30 years, indicating that efforts to reduce farm runoff and nitrate pollution in the Bay are succeeding.
EPA aide’s secret clients (AP): John Konkus, a top aide to EPA head Scott Pruitt, has been approved to moonlight for clients whose identities have not been disclosed, presenting a possible financial conflict of interest.
Listeria outbreak in South Africa (Bloomberg): A listeria outbreak stemming from processed meats company Tiger Brands has sickened at least 948 and killed 180 people in South Africa. It is the largest food-related listeria outbreak ever.
U.S. beef beats Australia (KBS World Radio): For the first time in 14 years, South Korea imported more beef from the United States than from Australia, 177,000 tonnes vs 173,000 tonnes. South Korea banned U.S. beef from 2003-08 as a mad-cow precaution, opening the way to Australian dominance of the market.
The poorest U.S. lawmaker is a farmer (Los Angeles Times): Dairy farmer David Valadao, from California’s Central Valley and a member of the House Appropriations subcommittee overseeing USDA and FDA funding, has the lowest net worth of any U.S. representative.
Going organic in South Dakota (Associated Press): In a deal with General Mills, Gunsmoke Farms will become the largest organic farm in South Dakota with 34,000 acres, equal to 53 square miles, being converted to growing organic wheat.
A low-water plant (University of Illinois): Agriculture is the biggest user of fresh water worldwide, and for the first time, scientists have found a way to make plants use water more efficiently without significant yield losses. The research, reported in the journal Nature Communications, alters the expression of one gene that is found in all plants.