No joke for vulnerable consumers. Canadian Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz's listeriosis "joke" is unnerving because it is far too indicative of the Conservative government's casual attitude toward an epidemic that has already killed 18. [News Source]

Japan lifts beef import ban on Smithfield. Japan said Friday it has lifted a ban on beef imports from two U.S. meat packers after reviewing the companies' steps to improve safety measures following unauthorized shipments that contained parts believed to pose a risk of mad cow disease. [News Source]

FDA issues rules for genetically modified animals. Genetically engineered animals moved closer to the dinner table on Thursday as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration made the process it will use to review new proposals public. [News Source]

Using modern laws to keep Amish ways. In Michigan and other states, the insular, Old World ways of the Amish are clashing with the technology-driven New World desire to track the movement of livestock in hopes of assuring the safety of the food chain. [News Source]

Japan lifts beef import ban on Smithfield (The Reporter) Japan said Friday it has lifted a ban on beef imports from two U.S. meat packers after reviewing the companies' steps to improve safety measures following unauthorized shipments that contained parts believed to pose a risk of mad cow disease. [News Source]

Japan lifts beef imports from local packer (The Reporter) Japan said Friday it has lifted a ban on beef imports from two U.S. meat packers after reviewing the companies' steps to improve safety measures following unauthorized shipments that contained parts believed to pose a risk of mad cow disease. [News Source]