Smithfield Foods Inc., the world's largest pork processor and hog producer, said Friday that it completed the sale of its Texhoma, Okla., hog production operations to Prestage Farms Inc. for an undisclosed amount.

Smithfield said in a statement that the farms do not supply any of the company's pork processing plants. The sale is part of its commitment to sell non-core businesses.

Source: Associated Press

Mislabled frozen veal ravioli recalled

Nina Mia, Inc., a Fullerton, Calif., establishment is recalling approximately 654 pounds of frozen veal ravioli products because they contain an undeclared allergen, soy, which is not declared on the label. Soy is a known allergen.

The products subject to recall include 6-pound cases of "Pasta Mia Veal Ravioli Gastronomica." Each case is labeled "Pasta Mia Veal Ravioli Lrg Rnd Gastronomica" and indicates the manufacturer item number V16LR01. Each case contains two individual 3-lb. packages. The individual packages bear the establishment number "20314" inside the USDA mark of inspection.

The products were produced from Feb. 11, 2010, to Sept. 24, 2010, and shipped to food service establishments in California. The problem was discovered by FSIS during a label review at the establishment. FSIS and the company have received no reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.

Source: FSIS

More than 260 companies to exhibit at 2011 NCBA trade show

Cattle Industry Convention-goers will not want to miss the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Trade Show in Denver, Feb. 2-5. With 265 companies in attendance, this is the largest, most advanced trade show for the cattle industry. Every year groundbreaking technologies and ideas are introduced at the event, in addition to expert demonstrations on topics such as low stress cattle handling, fundamentals of horsemanship and animal processing techniques.

“We’re proud to offer the largest and most advanced trade show of its kind,” said Steve Foglesong, NCBA president. “It’s critical for cattlemen and women to stay apprised of current industry technology and innovative concepts to help optimize their operations. Plus, who would want to miss all the fun event offerings in the trade show as well?”

Highlights of the Trade Show include:
Wednesday, Feb. 2: The Rocky Mountain Winterfest Welcome Reception – sponsored by Micro Beef Technologies, Certified Angus Beef, RFD-TV and John Deere – will kick-off the NCBA Trade Show on Wednesday, Feb. 2 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. MST. Attendees will be treated to some of their favorite comfort foods while enjoying a Winterfest right on the Trade Show floor. Some highlights of the Welcome Reception include live entertainment by Roy Rogers Junior and the High Riders band in the Chuck Wagon Café, free beer in the Micro Beef Technologies booth, free food throughout the exhibit hall, live demonstrations in the Cattle Learning Demonstration Arena, cooking demonstrations and new products, and beef samplings in the NCBA booth.
Thursday, Feb. 3: Curt Pate and Ron Gill will demonstrate live cattle handling in the Cattle Learning Demonstration Arena. And, from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m., convention-goers can join their fellow attendees at the Colorful Colorado Wine Tasting Reception, sponsored by Novus International, where some of Colorado’s top wineries will showcase their wine selections and spotlight today’s winemakers who are revitalizing a Colorado tradition.
Friday, Feb. 4: Convention attendees will not only get the chance to sample top Colorado wines, but they can also sample unique, quality, Colorado brewed beers as well at the Colorado Micro Brew and Beef Reception, sponsored by Alltech & Certified Angus Beef, from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.

For more information on the 2011 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show, visit http://www.beefusa.org/convregistration.aspx.

Source: NCBA

Industry associations sponsor meat and poultry research conference

A new conference that will bring together trade associations and professional societies whose members fund and conduct meat and poultry research on behalf of the industry is slated for November 1-2, 2011, in Kansas City, Mo. to Attendees will discuss research priorities, share research results and look at future needs in an effort to improve the industry’s overall research program.

The Meat and Poultry Research Conference, co-sponsored by the American Meat Institute Foundation, U.S. Poultry and Egg Association, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the National Pork Board, will be open to all industry, government and academia that wish to participate.  Also sponsoring the event is the American Meat Science Association, Poultry Science Association and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agriculture Research Service (ARS) and National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).

The conference will feature educational sessions and guest speakers addressing a number of important and timely topics such as how production and processing practices may affect meat quality and food safety, and other pertinent industry issues. Additional information on educational sessions and registration will be provided in the coming months at www.meatami.com in the Events/Education section of the site.

For more information about this new educational opportunity, contact AMI's Vice President of Education and Professional Development Marie Ternieden, Ed.D., at mdelucia@meatami.com.

Source: AMI

T.G.I. Friday's adds 14 new menu items

With a focus on fresh, quality ingredients, T.G.I. Friday's is introducing bold, new flavors in 2011 with any one of Friday's 14 new menu additions including Hibachi and Mediterranean Style Skewers, Black Angus Burgers and Skinny Margaritas.

"At Friday's, we constantly work with our chefs and mixologists to create great tasting menu items that appeal to our guests and capture emerging food and drink trends," said Ricky Richardson, executive vice president and chief concept officer, T.G.I. Friday's. "Much like our new Caribbean menu additions last year, we know that our guests will find something fun and unexpected from the revamped Friday's line-up."

Appetizers include Tapa-tizer Skewers with Black Angus sirloin or grilled chicken. New burgers include Black Angus Burgers, Jack Daniel’s Burger. Southwest Burger, New York Cheddar & Bacon Burger, Kansas City BBQ Burger and Turkey Burger. Entrees include Friday’s Fusion Skewers with sirloin or chicken and Chicken Piccata Pasta.

Source: T.G.I. Friday’s

USDA committee to develop proposed rule on mandatory pork price reporting

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the establishment of the Wholesale Pork Reporting Negotiated Rulemaking Committee to develop proposed language to amend the Livestock Mandatory Reporting regulations to implement mandatory pork price reporting.

An AMI representative will serve on the committee working for the interests of the meat and poultry industry and will provide input in the development of the proposed rule.

The first meeting will be held February 8-10, 2011, at the Sheraton Clayton Plaza Hotel, St. Louis, Missouri.  The meeting will begin daily at 8:30 a.m. and end at 5 p.m. The meeting agenda includes the discussion of protocols, timeframes, scope of the rulemaking process, and identification of key issues for a mandatory program of wholesale pork reporting.

The meeting will be open to the public without advance registration. Public attendance may be limited to the space available. Members of the public may be allowed to make statements during the meeting, to the extent time permits, and to file written statements with the committee for its consideration. Written statements may be submitted in advance to Michael Lynch, Chief; USDA, AMS, LS, LGMN Branch; 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Room 2619-S; Washington, D.C. 20250; Phone (202) 720-6231; Fax (202) 690-3732; or email at Michael.Lynch@ams.usda.gov. Notice of future meetings will be announced in the Federal Register.

Source: AMI