Do You Have Hot Pockets? The Product Is Under Recall

Csrees (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

York, PA – Giant has pulled from its shelves packages of Hot Pockets Philly Steak & Cheese as a result of a recent recall of meat products.

Rancho Feeding Corp. recalled millions of pounds of meat products after the U.S. Department of Agriculture found that the roducts were produced without all required inspections.

To date, Giant has not received any reports of illness associated with the recall.

To see a list of the recalled products, click here: http://www.ydr.com/business/ci_25163369/giant-recalls-hot-pockets

As Honey Bee Numbers Drop, U.S. Sees Threat To Food Supply

A European honey bee (Apis mellifera) extracts nectar from an Aster flower using its proboscis. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Honey bees, which play a key role in pollinating a wide variety of food crops, are in sharp decline in the United States, due to parasites, disease and pesticides, said a federal report released on Thursday.

Genetics and poor nutrition are also hurting the species, which help farmers produce crops worth some $20 billion to $30 billion a year.

Honey bee colonies have been dying and the number of colonies has more than halved since 1947, said the report by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Agriculture Department.

The decline raises doubt about whether honey bees can fulfill their crucial role in pollinating crops that play a role in about one-third of all food and beverages sold in the United States, the report said.

Read more: http://www.mcall.com/news/nationworld/sns-rt-us-usa-beesbre941139-20130502,0,2103948.story

U.S. Farmers Expect Poorest Corn Crop In A Decade

ST. LOUIS – A deepening drought in the nation’s farm states has cut further into this fall’s harvest, with farmers now expected to pull from their fields the lowest corn yield in more than a decade.

But American farmers are still expected to produce their eighth-largest harvest ever, and while there’s sure to be a rise in prices at the grocery stores, there’s little risk of a failed harvest that would lead to shortages on the shelves.

The U.S. Agriculture Department predicted the nation’s biggest harvest ever in the spring, when farmers planted 96.4 million acres of corn – the most since 1937. But it cut its estimate a month ago and again Friday, saying it now expects the nation to produce 10.8 billion bushels, the least since 2006.

Read more: http://business-news.thestreet.com/the-mercury/story/us-farmers-expect-poorest-corn-crop-decade-0/1

Taco Bell Fights Back Against Claims They Serve “Mystery Meat”

Here is Taco Bell‘s official response to the lawsuit that claims their beef does not meet the USDA requirements to be called BEEF.  AKA “beefgate”.

http://www.pwrnewmedia.com/2011/taco_bell/beef_grade/downloads/TB_Beef_ad_FINAL_BW.pdf

Sounds like a counter suit is in the works!

Taco Bell “Beefgate” – Where Is Clara Peller When We Need Her?

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Anybody of a certain age must remember Clara Peller in those hysterical “Where’s The Beef” commercials for Wendy’s.  Now it seems Ms. Peller’s services could once again be used.

Taco Bell‘s “beef” was found to contain less than 35% beef!  It does not meet the USDA‘s requirements to be called beef.  An Alabama law firm is suing, not for monetary gain, but to have the word beef removed from Taco Bell’s advertising.  The “mystery meat” is full of binders and fillers.  Taco Bell vigorously defends their advertising.

So I leave you with one of Clara Peller’s iconic Wendy’s commercials: