Voluntary FDA guidelines would cut salt intake by 12 percent
With Americans consuming 50 percent more salt than recommended, the FDA issued voluntary guidelines on Wednesday that would reduce sodium content in packaged and restaurant food, the major source of salt in the diet. The FDA said guidelines might “become one of the most significant public health nutrition interventions in a generation.”
Food prices rise, outpaced by U.S. inflation rate
Pulled by strong meat prices, September food prices were 4.6 percent higher than a year ago, said the Labor Department on Wednesday. The rise was below the annual U.S. inflation rate of 5.4 percent in September.
Report finds Trump’s food box suffered from price gouging, poor-quality
The Farmers to Families Food Box giveaway program – the Trump administration’s answer to hunger during the pandemic – was undermined by mismanagement and abuse of the $5.5 billion program, said a report released by the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis on Wednesday.
Today’s Quick Hits
USDA vaccination deadline: All USDA employees must be fully vaccinated by Nov. 22 or seek a medical or religious exemption, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a memo to employees. (USDA)
Deere strike possible: More than 10,000 workers at Deere and Co., the world’s largest manufacturer of farm equipment, could go on strike on Thursday in a contract dispute that includes union requests for post-retirement healthcare. (WQAD-TV)
Northeast dairy aid: Stonyfield Organic said it would invite into its direct supply program “a number” of the 89 organic dairies in the Northeast that are losing contracts with Danone North America. (Vermont Business Magazine)
‘Damage and loss’: Drought is the largest culprit in agricultural losses in least-developed nations and low-to-middle-income countries, followed by floods, storms, and crop and livestock pests and disease. (Food and Agriculture Organization)
Vilsack, Villalobos to meet: Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Mexico’s minister of agriculture and rural development, Victor Manuel Villalobos Arambula, will hold bilateral meetings and participate in the World Food Prize symposium next week in Iowa. (Ag Insider)
