Terry D. Etherton
Protect consumer choice:In the marketplace it is important that consumers have the right to buy milk produced by the most efficient, safe and sanitary methods of dairy farm management practices and production technologies that are available,and priced to reflect these efficiencies. Read the rest of this entry »
William Henning, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus of Meat Science
The Pennsylvania State University
Consumer concerns have once again been raised after 143 million pounds of ground beef was recalled this week from a California firm that manufactures and distributes ground beef to retailers and schools. The problems initially surfaced when a member of a special interest group (The Humane Society of the United States; HSUS) filmed a case of brutal animal handling of a cow that was unable to get up and posted it on YouTube. Normally, this would have been a case of animal cruelty that would have been dealt with by the USDA and the plant in question. Since the USDA Food Safety Inspection Service is responsible for animal welfare in packing plants, this should have been all handled within the regulatory system for animal handling. However, it was apparently revealed later that this non-ambulatory cow was, in fact, harvested and entered the food supply that raised the food safety questions. Since non-ambulatory animals are not considered fit for processing due to the possible relationship with BSE (mad cow disease), it should been prevented from entering the food supply. Read the rest of this entry »
Terry D. Etherton
The Case Study
The following editorial on milk labeling, Truth is spilled over milk, was published in the January 3, 2008 issue of the Centre Daily Times (State College, Pennsylvania).
As an educator for almost 30 years, and having given countless quizzes and exams, I thought it would be informative for the readers of my blog for me to GRADE this editorial. Read the rest of this entry »
Dieter Krieg
Published in Farmshine (December 7, 2007 issue)
On the one hand, I agree and support Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff’s efforts to clear some issues regarding the labels on dairy products.
On the other hand, I understand and sympathize with those who aren’t exactly thrilled with what he is attempting to do.
There are valid reasons and good arguments on both sides of this issue. Nevertheless, there’s no denying that something needs to be done about the way many foods are labeled today — not just dairy products. Read the rest of this entry »
Story by 49 News staff; KTKA TV, Topeka, Kansas
Aired on December 4, 2007
Dozens of people in Kansas are getting sick from raw milk.
Two separate outbreaks of campylobacteriosis made at least 87 people sick. Read the rest of this entry »
SHERRY BUNTING
Published in Farmshine (November 16, 2007 issue)
YORK, Pa. – The milk labeling issue has been simmering in Pennsylvania, and now it’s come to a full rolling boil. Controversial headlines moved quickly from local to national this week, calling attention to the reaction of Rutter’s Dairy, based here in York, to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s ban on “absence labeling” of milk sold in the Commonwealth. Read the rest of this entry »
Daniel Brandt
Dairy Farmer, Annville, PA
PA Holstein Association State Director
Lebanon County Farm Bureau Director
In Todd Rutter’s little rant in the November 9th Harrisburg Patriot News, it is shameful that he had no scientific documents to back up his claims. It was a short story of propaganda. It contained no facts at all, only Todd’s hearsay. He holds the public ransom with his words and could care less about keeping the public safe. It is obvious his labeling practices are a money-making grab for him. Read the rest of this entry »
SHERRY BUNTING
Published in Farmshine (October 19, 2007 issue)
“Killer cow emissions” was the title of a Los Angeles Times editorial this week (Oct. 15), painting a big red bulls-eye on dairy and beef production.
It began on the subject of methane coming from both ends of the cow and from manure storage. It concluded with a scolding of USDA for it’s role in facilitating the beef and dairy check-offs, stating: “the government should not only get out of the business of promoting unhealthful and environmentally destructive foods, it should be actively discouraging them.” Read the rest of this entry »
Terry Etherton
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) has issued important new guidance for labeling of milk, milk products and manufactured dairy products in the Commonwealth. The press release and the guidance are presented below. Read the rest of this entry »
Mark Armfelt, DVM, DAVBP
By choosing technologies that increase productivity, the American Farmer has consistently provided an ever increasing number of American consumers with an abundant, economical, safe food supply. They have also been able to produce that food in a sustainable manner. Read the rest of this entry »
