WASHINGTON – John Soules Foods Inc. of Tyler, Texas has recalled about 8,496 of cooked chicken strips because they contain wheat, an undeclared allergen.

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) said the follow products are subject to the recall:

•           24-ounce bags of "John Soules Foods FULLY COOKED CHICKEN BREAST STRIPS WITH RIB MEAT, Italian Style, GLUTEN FREE." Each bag bears the establishment number "P-2128" inside the USDA mark of inspection. Additionally, the UPC code "034695 123973" as well as the "USE BY" date of "Dec 27 08" or "Jan 2 09" are included on the back of the bag.

•           24-ounce bags of "John Soules Foods FULLY COOKED CHICKEN BREAST STRIPS WITH RIB MEAT, Rotisserie Style, GLUTEN FREE." Each bag bears the establishment number "P-2128" inside the USDA mark of inspection. Additionally, the UPC code "034695 123980" as well as the "USE BY" date of "Dec 27 08" or "Jan 2 09" are included on the back of the bag.

The chicken products were reportedly produced on Nov. 7 and 13, 2008, and were distributed to retail establishments in Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Missouri, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.

The FSIS said the issue was found in routine testing and no reports of illness have been reported.

Source: Food Safety and Inspection Service

PITTSBURG, Texas – Pilgrim’s Pride Corp. on Thursday announced it reached an agreement with lenders to extend the temporary waiver under its credit facilities.

The company said it has been extended through noon Central Time on Dec. 1. Pilgrim’s Pride will reportedly continue to pursue opportunities to refinance and recapitalize its business and position it to take on its strategic advantages.

The company has struggled since high grain prices forced production costs up over the summer. Pilgrim’s Pride’s stock price rose to $1.22 on Friday trading after the announcement.

Source: Pilgrim’s Pride Corp.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced Friday that its semi-annual regulatory agenda is available.

The USDA said the agenda provides a summary of significant and other regulations that are being developed by agencies in line with Executive Order 12866, “Regulatory Planning and Review.”

The agenda also reportedly describes regulations affecting small entities as required by section 602 of Public Law 96-354, the Regulatory Flexibility Act and identifies regulatory actions that are being reviewed in compliance with section 610(c).

USDA has attempted to list all regulations and regulatory reviews pending at the time of publication except for minor and routine or repetitive actions. The department said there is no legal significance to the omission of an item from this listing. Also, the dates shown for the steps of each action are estimated and are not commitments to act on or by the date shown.

To view this agenda, go to http://www.reginfo.gov/.

Source: American Meat Institute