California Ag Network

Tag: USDA

  • The facts about food product dating – from the USDA

    Sacramento, Calif., (February 15, 2017) – This month the Planting Seeds blog is featuring stories on food security, nutrition, and efforts to reduce food waste. CDFA’s Office of Farm to Fork is committed to helping all Californians access healthy and nutritious California-grown food by connecting consumers, school districts, and others directly with California’s farmers and ranchers.

    The USDA estimates that 30 percent of the food supply is lost or wasted at the retail and consumer levels. One source is of this consumers or retailers throwing away wholesome food because of confusion about the meaning of dates displayed on the label.

    What is Food Product Dating? – Two types of product dating may be shown on a product label. “Open Dating” is a calendar date applied to a food product by the manufacturer or retailer. The calendar date provides consumers with information on the estimated period of time for which the product will be of best quality and to help the store determine how long to display the product for sale. “Closed Dating” is a code that consists of a series of letters and/or numbers applied by manufacturers to identify the date and time of production.

    Does Federal Law Require Dating? 
Except for infant formula, product dating is not required by federal regulations. For meat, poultry, and egg products under the jurisdiction of the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), dates may be voluntarily applied provided they are labeled in a manner that is truthful and not misleading and in compliance with FSIS regulations1. To comply, a calendar date must express both the month and day of the month. In the case of shelf-stable and frozen products, the year must also be displayed. Additionally, immediately adjacent to the date must be a phrase explaining the meaning of that date such as “Best if Used By.”

    Are Dates for Food Safety or Quality? – Manufacturers provide dating to help consumers and retailers decide when food is of best quality. Except for infant formula, dates are not an indicator of the product’s safety and are not required by Federal law.

    How do Manufacturers Determine Quality Dates?
Factors including the length of time and the temperature at which a food is held during distribution and offered for sale, the characteristics of the food, and the type of packaging will affect how long a product will be of optimum quality. Manufacturers and retailers will consider these factors when determining the date for which the product will be of best quality.

    For example, sausage formulated with certain ingredients used to preserve the quality of the product or fresh beef packaged in a modified atmosphere packaging system that helps ensure that the product will stay fresh for as long as possible. These products will typically maintain product quality for a longer period of time because of how the products are formulated or packaged.

    The quality of perishable products may deteriorate after the date passes, however, such products should still be safe if handled properly. Consumers must evaluate the quality of the product prior to its consumption to determine if the product shows signs of spoilage.

    What Date-Labeling Phrases are Used? – There are no uniform or universally accepted descriptions used on food labels for open dating in the United States. As a result, there are a wide variety of phrases used on labels to describe quality dates.

    Examples of commonly used phrases:

    • A “Best if Used By/Before” indicates when a product will be of best flavor or quality. It is not a purchase or safety date.
    • A “Sell-By” date tells the store how long to display the product for sale for inventory management. It is not a safety date.
    • A “Use-By” date is the last date recommended for the use of the product while at peak quality. It is not a safety date except for when used on infant formula as described below.

    What Date-Labeling Phrase does FSIS Recommend? – USDA estimates food loss and waste at 30 percent of the food supply lost or wasted at the retail and consumer levels. One source of food waste arises from consumers or retailers throwing away wholesome food because of confusion about the meaning of dates displayed on the label. To reduce consumer confusion and wasted food, FSIS recommends that food manufacturers and retailers that apply product dating use a “Best if Used By” date. Research shows that this phrase conveys to consumers that the product will be of best quality if used by the calendar date shown. Foods not exhibiting signs of spoilage should be wholesome and may be sold, purchased, donated and consumed beyond the labeled “Best if Used By” date.

    Safety After Date Passes – With an exception of infant formula (described below), if the date passes during home storage, a product should still be safe and wholesome if handled properly until the time spoilage is evident. Spoiled foods will develop an off odor, flavor or texture due to naturally occurring spoilage bacteria. If a food has developed such spoilage characteristics, it should not be eaten.

    Can Food be Donated After the Date Passes? – Yes. The quality of perishable products may deteriorate after the date passes but the products should still be wholesome if not exhibiting signs of spoilage. Food banks, other charitable organizations, and consumers should evaluate the quality of the product prior to its distribution and consumption to determine whether there are noticeable changes in wholesomeness (Food Donation Safety Tips).

     

  • USDA California Crop/Weather Report

    Sacramento, Calif., (February 14, 2017) – Another wet week across the State. Most days received widespread precipitation across a large portion of the State. Last week, the heaviest rains fell on the windward and southern slopes of the central/northern Sierras and northern mountains. Blue Canyon reported the largest precipitation of 14.16 inches. The northwestern mountains received four to six inches of rain, while the valley saw three to four inches across its northern half and one to two inches across its southern half. The immediate coast from San Francisco southward to Los Angeles received two to three inches. Despite warm temperatures, additional snow fell in the mountains through last week, the heaviest in the Tahoe region, where 12 to 18 inches fell. The northern Sierras saw eight to12 inches across the northern mountains, with the Southern Sierras reporting three to six inches. Despite the additional snowfalls, warm temperatures resulted in an overall reduction of four to eight inches in snowpack.

    Temperature highs were in the 30s to 50s in the mountains, 50s to 60s in the valley and along the coast, and 60s to 80s in the desert. The temperature lows were in the 20s to 40s in the mountains, 30s-50s in the desert, and 40s to 50s in the valley and along the coast.

    Growers continued to wait for fields to dry out sufficiently to resume planting winter grain and field crops. The planted grains and field crops continued to mature at an excellent rate, reaping the benefit from all the recent rains.

    Orchards in the San Joaquin Valley where conditions permitted, allowing for some orchard pruning, discing, weed control and pre-bloom spraying. Pruning, tying, berm sanitation, and brush shredding started up again in the drier vineyards. Where field conditions permitted the removal of older orchards and vineyards continued in preparation for replanting with new varieties. The standing water in vineyards and orchards caused for concern the health of the trees and vines. Early varieties of nectarines and peaches began to bloom in Fresno County. Navel orange harvest continued as weather permitted. Second treatment spraying for citrus fungal diseases was drawing to a close. Tangerines continued to be harvested.

    As field conditions permitted orchards continued to be pruned and brush. Some late dormant sprays were applied. Almond buds were swelling and a few early blossoms reported in the southern San Joaquin Valley.

    In Monterey County, frequent rain continued throughout the week.  The rain was welcomed as it cleaned salts from the soil profile, but it slowed field activities.  Very few fields were planted, but as the skies began to clear, work resumed on cole crops, lettuces, celery, and spinach.  In Fresno County, the carrot harvest was ongoing when the weather permitted.  Weed control was ongoing for tomatoes.  Garlic and onion plantings had emerged and showed good growth.  Broccoli was growing steadily.  In Imperial County, harvest continued for broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and lettuce.  Fields were planted with melon and sweet corn as weather permitted.

    Non-irrigated pasture and rangeland continued to improve due to the winter’s precipitation and warming temperatures. Range was reported to be in excellent to good condition. Sheep grazed idle fields and dormant alfalfa fields. Supplemental feeding of livestock was on the decline as range conditions improved. Bee hives were staged in preparation for the pending bloom season, though muddy conditions forced many hives to be left on drier ground outside almond orchards.

  • Recommended Decision to Establish a California Federal Milk Order Published

    Modesto, Calif., (February 13, 2017) – On February 14, 2017 the USDA will published in the Federal Register a Recommended Decision proposing that a California Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) be established. An unpublished copy of the Recommended Decision is now available here.

    AMS will hold a public meeting on February 22, 2017, in Clovis, to explain how the proposed California FMMO would operate and how the public can submit comments for USDA consideration. For those unable to attend the meeting in person, questions can be submitted until February 16 by emailing Californiainfo@ams.usda.gov.

    Interested parties will have the opportunity to watch the meeting live via webcast and a recording will be posted to the AMS website. A transcript of the meeting will be made part of the record of the proceeding.

  • USDA California Crop/Weather Report

    Sacramento, Calif., (February 1, 2017) – The stopping of the Pineapple Express coupled with a retreat of the persistent upper-level trough that has been present over the western region for the last couple of months produced a week of warmer and drier conditions.

    Temperature highs were in the 10s to 40s in the mountains, 40s to 50s in the valley, 40s to 60s along the northern coast and deserts, and 70s to 80s along the southern coast. The temperature lows were in the -10s to 20s in the mountains, 20s to 30s in the valley, 20s to 40s in the desert, and 30s along the northern coast and 40s along the southern coast.

    Widespread showers fell on most of the state on Monday, with the heaviest rains seen in the San Diego area, where over one inch fell. Most other areas received less than a quarter of an inch of rain. Snow fell in the mountains, with the greatest accumulations in the 4-8 inch range in the area just southwest of Tahoe and also in parts of the southern Sierras. Tuesday and Wednesday continued to bring limited showers in certain areas, particularly the northern mountains and southern coasts. Thursday through Sunday saw no measurable precipitation at any reliable sites. Snow packs in the mountains continue to be in very good shape, maintaining cover through the week and likely increasing by 4-6 inches in the area around Tahoe.

    Continued rains have benefited the growth of already planted grains and field crops, but the rain has hindered ground preparations for continued planting. Low spots in some fields were showing stress from repeated standing water. Farmers in some areas have been encouraged to report crop losses due to flooding.

    Standing water and muddy conditions continued to hinder fieldwork for much of the state. Winter field work continued when conditions permitted. Deciduous fruit orchards continued to be pruned and brush shredded. Removal of orchards and vineyards continued in preparation for replanting with new varieties. Rain continued to slow navel orange and Satsuma mandarin harvest. Fungicide applications to citrus were made as conditions allowed.

    Some almond and walnut orchards were impacted by falling trees due to strong winds and saturated ground. Nut orchards continued to be pruned and brush shredded as weather conditions permitted.

    In San Joaquin County, conditions were drying out, which helped with standing water in the fields.  In Monterey County, heavy rains were welcomed, though the saturated ground restricted field access.  Growers began planting cole crops, as well as lettuces and greens.  In San Mateo County, the fields were still very wet and unworkable.  In Fresno County, the onions and garlic have germinated.

    Non-irrigated pasture and rangeland continued to green up due to this winter’s rain. Range was reported to be in excellent to good condition. Standing water and flooding continued to impact some valley pasture and dairies. Sheep grazed idle fields and dormant alfalfa fields. Where field conditions permitted bees were staged in preparation for the bloom season. Bee keepers continued to feed their hives to compensate for the lack of blooming vegetation.

  • California Lands More than $5 Million in USDA Grants for Citrus Greening Research

    Sacramento, Calif., (January 25, 2017) – The USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has announced four grants totaling more than $13.6 million to combat a scourge on the nation’s citrus industry, citrus greening disease, also known as Huanglongbing (HLB). UC Riverside will receive $5,112,000 of that funding for a program to design and identify bactericides that can cure or suppress HLB.

    “The economic impact of citrus greening disease is measured in the billions,” said NIFA Director Sonny Ramaswamy. “NIFA investments in research are critical measures to help the citrus industry survive and thrive, and to encourage growers to replant with confidence.”

    HLB is currently the most devastating citrus disease worldwide. It was first detected in Florida in 2005 and has since affected all of Florida’s citrus-producing areas leading to a 75 percent decline in Florida’s $9 billion citrus industry. HLB has also been detected in Georgia, Louisiana, South Carolina and Texas, as well as three residential communities in Southern California. Fifteen U.S. States or territories, including California, are under full or partial quarantine due to the presence of the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), a vector for HLB.

    Since 2009, USDA has invested more than $400 million to address citrus greening, including more than $57 million through the Citrus Disease Research and Extension Program since 2014.  Other projects in the current grant award include:

    • Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, $4,274,523
    • Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, $2,476,099
    • USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Athens, Georgia, $1,821,197

    More information on these projects is available on the NIFA website.

    Information on efforts to control the Asian citrus psyllid and stop HLB in California is available on CDFA’s web site and the California Citrus Threat web site.

  • Test Uses Novel Antibodies to Detect Shiga Toxins

     

    ARS molecular biologist Xiaohua He (right) and technician Stephanie Patfield observe results of a new test that can detect Shiga toxins from E. coli bacteria.

    Albany, Calif., (January 23, 2017) – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists have developed a highly sensitive test that for the first time is able to detect all known Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC).

    According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, STEC bacteria are responsible for more than 265,000 cases of illness and 3,600 hospitalizations each year in the United States. Nearly 8 percent of patients hospitalized from these infections develop hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a life-threatening disease.

    Developed by scientists at the Agricultural Research Service’s (ARS) Western Regional Research Center (WRRC) in Albany, California, the new test relies on ARS-patented antibodies.

    Most people have heard of E. coli O157:H7, which is often the cause of publicized foodborne outbreaks. However, many other kinds of E. coli can cause disease.

    Several commercial tests are used to detect these bacteria, but none are capable of recognizing all STEC. Antibodies used in current tests only recognize a subset of Shiga toxins but not all Shiga toxins.

    Tests using the newly developed antibodies are very sensitive. They can identify all known subtypes of STEC and rapidly detect new and emerging serotypes, according to molecular biologist Xiaohua He. They also can be used to screen foods early on for contamination.

    Additional studies have shown that these antibodies also can detect Shiga toxins in blood, an indication that they can potentially be adapted as therapeutics for human diseases caused by Shiga toxins, according to research leader Luisa Cheng.

    The new antibodies have been licensed to Abraxis LLC, TechLab, Inc., and List Biological Laboratories Inc.

    Read more about this research in the January 2017 issue of AgResearch magazine.

  • USDA Offers Grants To Help Local Food Sector

    Washington, D. C., (January 20, 2017) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has announced the availability of $27 million in grants to fund innovative projects designed to strengthen market opportunities for local and regional food producers and businesses.

    “These grants will continue USDA’s support for the local food sector as an important strategy for keeping wealth in rural communities,” said AMS Administrator Elanor Starmer.  “Entrepreneurs around the country are creating jobs and new economic opportunities in response to growing consumer demand for local food.  AMS is excited to partner with local food stakeholders to strengthen local economies and improve access to fresh, healthy food for their communities.”

    AMS has announced the request for applications for the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program, which includes Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) and Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP) grants, and theFederal-State Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP).  These programs and other resources across USDA are helping to revitalize rural America by supporting local and regional food stakeholders.

    The FMPP provides funds for direct farmer-to-consumer marketing projects such as farmers markets, community-supported agriculture programs, roadside stands, and agritourism.  Over the past 10 years, the FMPP has awarded more than 870 grants totaling over $58 million.  The successful results of these investments are summarized in the Farmers Market Promotion Program 2016 Report. (Add link). The LFPP supports projects focused on intermediary supply chain activities for local food businesses. LFPP was established in the 2014 Farm Bill to increase funding for marketing activities such as aggregation, processing, storage, and distribution of local foods.

    The FSMIP provides about $1 million in matching funds to state departments of agriculture, state colleges and universities, and other appropriate state agencies. Funds will support research projects to address challenges and opportunities in marketing, transporting, and distributing U.S. agricultural products domestically and internationally.

    AMS will host a webinar for potential FMPP and LFPP grant applicants on Wednesday, February 15, 2017, at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time, and a teleconference for potential FSMIP grant applicants on Thursday, February 16, 2017, at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time.  For more information about FSMIP, FMPP and LFPP, visit: www.ams.usda.gov/AMSgrants.  The website also contains a link to a grants decision tree, “What AMS Grant is Right for ME?”, to help applicants determine which AMS grant fits their project best.

    The grant applications for FSMIP, FMPP and LFPP must be submitted electronically through www.grants.gov/  by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, March 27, 2017.

    AMS will also host a webinar to introduce potential applicants to Grants.gov on Wednesday, February 8, 2017, at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time.  Applicants are urged to start the Grants.gov registration process as soon as possible to ensure that they meet the deadline and encouraged to submit their applications well in advance of the posted due date.  Any grant application submitted after the due date will not be considered unless the applicant provides documentation of an extenuating circumstance that prevented their timely submission of the grant application, read more on AMS Late and Non-Responsive Application Policy.

  • USDA California Crop/Weather Report

    Sacramento, Calif., (January 17, 2017) – A continued abundance of moisture across the State for the entire week tapered off over the weekend as the upper-level trough pulled away to the east with surface high pressure building over the western United States.

    Temperatures were fairly consistent, but cooled slightly late last week as a drier airmass settled over the State.

    Nearly all locations in the State saw precipitation last week, with the heaviest rainfall impacting the northern and central Sierras from Tahoe northward to the Lassen Volcanoes area, where precipitation totals reached near 12 inches. Specifically, the area around Blue Canyon received a total of 9.99 inches of rain. The coastal mountains received heavy rainfall with 4 to 8 inches falling, while most of the valley received rainfall totals between 3 to 4 inches. Even the deserts, received up to 1 inch of rainfall over the weekend. The mountains once again received very heavy snow this week, with some areas receiving 2 feet of snowfall in a single day. Lodgepole reported a total of 23 inches of new snow on Thursday. The heaviest snow fell in the Tahoe region and in the mountains just to the north, where up to 5 feet of snow fell. Elsewhere in the mountains, 2 to 4 feet was the norm in the Southern Sierras, with coastal ranges seeing up to a foot of new snow.

    Temperature highs were in the 20s to 40s in the mountains, 40s to 60s valley, 50s to 60s along the coast and, 50s to 70s in the desert. The temperature lows were in the 20s to 30s in the mountains, 30s to 50s in the desert and the valley, and 40s to 50s along the coast.

    Recent rains benefited the growth of already planted grains and field crops, but the rain hindered ground preparations for continued planting. The forecast for optimal returns continued to look positive. Sorghum seed continued to be received for future planting. Hay alfalfa remained dormant.

    Some pomegranates were harvested. Deciduous fruit orchard continued to be pruned and brush shredded as weather conditions permitted. Most post-harvest field activities were halted due to the heavy rains and standing water. In drier locations the removal of orchard and vineyards continued in preparation for replanting with new varieties. Blueberry planting continued, as weather permitting. Rains continued to slow navel orange and mandarin harvest. Fungicide applications to citrus were made as conditions allowed.

    Nut orchards continued to be pruned and brush shredded as weather conditions permitted.  Most post-harvest filed activities were halted due to the heavy rains and standing water.

    In San Joaquin County, winter Farmer’s Market vegetables were harvested.  Commercial basil fields were cut and packaged when weather permitted.  In Madera County, tomato fields were being prepped for planting.  In San Luis Obispo County, winter vegetables such as Chinese Napa cabbage, bock choy, parsley, cilantro and spinach were harvested.  Spring vegetables were planted.  In Fresno County, there were heavy rains, but winter vegetables remained in good condition.  In Tulare County, the growth of the winter vegetables benefitted from favorable weather conditions.

    Non-irrigated pasture and rangeland greened up considerably due to recent rains. Range was reported to be primarily in fair to good condition. Snow and ice covered some grazing land in Modoc and Siskiyou Counties. Some dairies were impacted by standing water and sloppy conditions from the week’s precipitation. Sheep grazed idle fields and dormant alfalfa fields. Bees continued to be brought into the state in preparation for the bloom season. Bee keepers continued to feed their hives to compensate for the lack of blooming vegetation.

  • Cost of Raising a Child Born In 2015: $233,610

    The USDA has released the 2015 Expenditures on Children by Families report, also known as “The Cost of Raising a Child.” The report, developed by economists at USDA’s Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion (CNPP), estimates that for a child born in 2015, a middle-income* married-couple family will spend between $12,350 and $13,900 annually (in 2015 dollars) – or $233,610 from birth through age 17 – on child-rearing expenses. Families with lower incomes are expected to spend $174,690 and families with higher incomes are expected to spend $372,210 from birth through age 17. Many state governments use this annual report, first issued in 1960, as a resource in determining child support and foster care guidelines.

    The report details spending by married-couple and single-parent households; for married-couple households, spending in various regions of the country are examined. Housing (29 percent) and food (18 percent) account for the largest share of child-rearing expenses for middle-income, married-couple families, followed by childcare/education (16 percent), transportation (15 percent), and health care (9 percent). Clothing was the smallest expense, at 6 percent, and other miscellaneous child-rearing necessities from birth to age 18 accounted for 7 percent. This report does not include costs related to pregnancy or college costs.

    “When CNPP first issued this report in 1960, housing and food were the two highest expenses, just as they are today,” said CNPP Executive Director Angie Tagtow. “But while housing costs have increased over time, changes in American agriculture have resulted in lower food costs, and family food budgets now represent a lower percentage of household income.”

    Across the country, costs were highest in the urban Northeast, urban West, and urban South; while lowest in the urban Midwest and rural areas. Much of the regional variation in expenses was related to housing. Differences in child care and education expenses also contributed to regional variation. Overall, child-rearing expenses in rural areas were 24 percent lower than those in the region with the highest expenses, the urban Northeast.

    It is important to note that child-rearing costs vary greatly depending on the number and ages of children in a household. As family size increases, costs per child generally decrease.