After banning U.S. pork imports from all but a handful of processing facilities, Russia has approved the resumption of imports from 11 pork plants, according to the U.S. Meat Export Federation.

"It is happening as we speak," U.S. Meat Export Federation spokesman Jim Herlihy told Reuters. The industry group also said more plants may be approved. Smithfield Foods Inc. also confirmed that Russia will resume imports from its Tar Heel, N.C., plant, which is the world’s largest pork plant.

Russia has been given assurance that the U.S. meat will be free of an antibiotic that violated the country’s food safety rules. The USDA has listed 10 slaughter plants that were eligible to export product to Russia, because they are participating in an “export verification program” to test for residues.

Source: Reuters

Processing without inspection leads to chicken parts recall

N.Y. Gourmet Salads, Inc., a Brooklyn, N.Y., establishment, is recalling an undetermined amount of various chicken products because the products were produced without the benefit of federal inspection, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced.

The products subject to recall include 5-pound tubs Of "Chicken Salad, Made With All White Meat" and "Grilled Chicken Pasta & Broccoli," 3-pound trays with six wraps of "Chicken W/Roasted Pepper & Mozzarella Wrap," and 5-pound trays of "Grilled Boneless Chicken Breast Cutlet" and "Teriyaki Chicken Breast."

The chicken products were produced intermittently between November 5, 2009, and March 10, 2010, and were distributed to retail establishments in the New York City metropolitan area. Each chicken product bears the establishment number "P-34440" inside the USDA mark of inspection. Consumers may have purchased these chicken products at delicatessen counters at supermarkets.

The problem was discovered by FSIS and is part of an ongoing investigation. FSIS has received no reports of illness due to consumption of these products.

Source: FSIS

Poultry plant cited for workplace safety violations

Federal workplace safety officials say a Harbeson poultry processing plant has been cited for workplace safety violations.
The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration said Thursday that is has cited the Allen Family Foods plant in Harbeson for a variety of workplace safety hazards. OSHA says proposed penalties total $182,200, reports Business Week.

Tracy Morris, vice president of human resources for the company, says most of the violations have already been corrected but the company is contesting some of the citations. Morris says the company is proud of its safety record and noted the plant last year passed a million man-hours worked without an accident that caused any employee to miss work.

Source: Business Week