• U.S. Potato exports to Mexico have stopped in response to a lawsuit by the Mexican Potato Growers Association against the Mexican government seeking to block a new rule allowing U.S. potato exports to all parts of Mexico.

    Mexico closed all border crossings to potato exports so USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service stopped issuing phytosanitary certificates. The National Potato Council and U.S. Potato Board confirmed the border closing on Monday the same day the lawsuit was filed.

    Officials say it is no surprise the implementation of this rule is facing challenges and the value of annual fresh potato exports from the U.S. to Mexico could jump from $30 million to $100 million.

  • USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has announced it will proceed with its salmonella verification sampling program.

    The program was proposed in August 2013 and after reviewing comments, FSIS has determined it will move forward with the program without any changes.

    FSIS will discontinue salmonella sampling set procedures in ground beef products on June 29th except in establishments with results that exceeded the standard for salmonella in its most recently completed set.

More From 107.3 KFFM