U.S., South Korea sign trade pact; face Congress fight (Reuters via Yahoo! News) The United States and South Korea signed a free trade agreement on Saturday that will face tough opposition in the U.S. Congress because of Democratic Party concerns that it will cost auto industry jobs. [News Source]

Proteins behind mad cow disease may protect against Alzheimer’s (New Kerala) London, June 30 : A study conducted by University of Leeds researchers suggests that proteins that cause mad cow disease may be exploited to protect against Alzheimer's. [News Source]

US, SKorea set to sign free trade pact (AFP via Yahoo! News) The United States and South Korea are set to sign a landmark free trade agreement to be sent for Congressional approval, but US lawmakers are already saying they will not vote for it. [News Source]

Prions key in Alzheimer’s disease (BBC News) The proteins which cause mad cow disease may protect against Alzheimer's disease, say UK researchers. [News Source]

U.S. beef back on Ito-Yokado shelves (The Japan Times) Major supermarket chain Ito-Yokado Co. brought American beef back to its shelves Friday, about 3 1/2 years after sales were halted in the wake of the first U.S. case of mad cow disease, a parent... Read more ... [News Source]

Humane Society of US again scaring people away from good diets? (AG Weekly) The Humane Society of the U.S. has, for years, been trying to frighten people away from consuming meat, milk and eggs -- but its recent testimony before a congressional committee reached a new low when the HSUS president, Wayne Pacelle, made the unsupported claim that pigs could be harboring the infamous and deadly British ‘mad cow” disease. [News Source]

U.S. tries to sell beef to China amid food disputes. The United States has again requested access to the Chinese market for American beef, the quarantine administration said, despite a spate of safety and trade disputes over Chinese seafood and pet food and U.S. fruit. [News Source]

Major Japanese supermarket chain puts US beef back on its shelves. Major Japanese supermarket chain Ito-Yokado Co. brought American beef back to its shelves Friday, about 3 1/2 years after sales were halted in the wake of the first U.S. case of mad cow disease, a parent company spokesman said. [News Source]

China calls for reason as food safety fears mount . Under pressure after a U.S. move against Chinese seafood and a huge recall of Chinese toothpaste in Japan, Beijing urged trade partners on Friday to accept its products unless they violate contract terms or local regulations. [News Source]

US Beef Back in Japanese Chain Store (AP via Yahoo! Finance) Major Japanese supermarket chain Ito-Yokado Co. brought American beef back to its shelves Friday, about 3 1/2 years after sales were halted in the wake of the first U.S. case of mad cow disease, a parent company spokesman said. [News Source]