Feedstuffs / Monday, Sept. 18, 2000
A coalition of environmental, organic and consumer groups is asking the Food & Drug Administration to test all food containing conventional yellow corn in the wake of the discovery of Cry9c protein in a sample of Taco Bell grocery store taco shells. That was the only problematic product of 23 that were tested by Friends of the Earth. The opponents of genetically modified (GM) food have traces of a Bt corn, Aventis' StarLink, in taco shells bought at a grocery store. StarLink corn, which contains the Cry9c protein, is approved for livestock feed, but not for human consumption, according to an FDA spokesperson. Friends of the Earth has campaigned for mandatory labeling of food made from GM ingredients. Testing was done by Genetic ID of Fairfield, Iowa. Dr. Jane Rissler, a scientist with the Union of Concerned Scientists, said the discovery of the protein "is not an eminent health hazard," although it does not break down in gastric acid and as such presents an unknown risk for allergic reactions. Noting that the corn has only been approved for livestock feed, Rissler said the Cry9c protein is "a potential allergy risk and is on the market illegally." The Union of Concerned Scientists, a group that has called for stepped up testing and regulation of GM crops, has openly opposed Bt corn for several years.
Nutritional status important to optimize immune competence
The nutritional support of growth and reproduction in livestock has been realized, practiced and improved upon during most of this past century, said Dr. John Arthington, assistant professor at the University of Florida's Range Cattle Research & Education center, Ona. Optimization of immune function through improved nutrition will be an essential component of our livestock management strategies, he said. Several nutrients, including energy, protein, vitamin E, selenium, copper and chromium, have been shown to affect immune competence.
White House stiffs Congress on tariff carousel
So far, the Clinton Administration has stiffed Congress on the mandate it sent to the White House in May to implement a punitive tariff feature against Europe. Agricultural groups and members of Congress have been pressing the White House and U.S. Trade Representative since June 19, the date Congress specified for implementation. In May, Congress mandated the U.S. government to impose a "carousel" of import tariffs on a selection of products from the European Union because of the EU's refusal to accept shipments of American beef produced from hormone-enhanced cattle or to correct its banana imports restrictions. The punitive tariffs were imposed last year with the blessing of the World Trade Organization. However, the carousel goes a step further and apply tariffs on a different selection of products every six months.
Wonder corn developed for world's malnourished
Scientists at the International Maize & Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) announced in early September that they have developed varieties of high-protein corn that could prevent malnutrition among millions of people worldwide. Almost 1 billion people living in developing countries are malnourished, and most do not consume enough protein for good health. The new corn contains nearly twice as much usable protein as other corn grown in the tropics and yields 10% more grain. The corn resulted from traditional breeding techniques. "Maize means survival for hundreds of millions of people in Africa, Asia and Latin America," said Dr. Timothy Reeves, director general of CIMMYT. Dr. Surinder K. Vasal, a plant breeder, and Dr. Evangelina Villegas, a cereal chemist, are the two plant scientists who developed the high-protein corn. They will be honored with the World Food Prize in ceremonies in Des Moines, Iowa, Oct. 12.
Dow to buy Cargill seed unit
The Dow Chemical Co. and Cargill Inc. announced today that Dow's wholly owned subsidiary, Mycogen Seeds, will acquire the assets of Cargill Hybrid Seeds. Cargill Hybrid Seeds' assets will be merged with Mycogen, which is affiliated with Dow's wholly owned subsidiary Dow AgroSciences LLC. Dow said the acquisition will result in a "larger and more efficient platform from which to launch biotechnology products." The purchase includes all seed research, production and distribution assets of Cargill Hybrid Seeds in the U.S. and Canada, except Cargill's InterMountain Canola, Goertzen Seed Research and the western Canadian seed distribution business. The companies said they expect the deal to close by Oct. 31. Financial terms were not disclosed. Cargill had initially sold its seed unit to AgrEvo in 1998, but that sale was terminated in February 1999 after it was discovered that some of Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc. germplasm was being used in certain Cargill seed lines.
Outlook for pork production 'strong'
The industry outlook for pork producers "in the first decade of the new century is strong" if producers can control enthusiasm in profitable years and expand more patiently than they did in 1998, according to Len Steiner, head of Steiner & Co. in Manchester, N.H. Prices and profitability have improved significantly this year on only slightly decreased pork production, reflecting both domestic and export increases in demand, he said, speaking to a media session at the World Pork Expo in June. The outlook points to a number of positives, he said, but there also are risks.
Pork is the most consumed meat in the world, and China, with a market that's just now opening up, is the largest pork consumer in the world, he said. Furthermore, consumers in the U.S. are "losing interest" in chicken because it lacks the taste of other meat, he said. At the same time, the industry must recognize some inherent problems, Steiner said, including pork production that decreases and increases with jagged inconsistency that leaves industry infrastructure, such as packing capacity, out of sync with production and creates large changes in price relative to changes in production.
Researchers see benefits for humans in feed product
Researchers at Kansas State University are hoping to begin human studies to determine if a product tested at the university that has reduced fat in hogs and pork products can do something like that in people, according to animal scientists and human nutrition specialists at the university. If laboratory models are correct, diets including modified tall oil can decrease body fat as much as 21% in males and post-menopausal women, the university workers said.
A 'bewildering array' of functional foods
Food and pharmaceutical producers are perhaps rushing too fast to launch products in the functional and nutraceutical foods market, compromising credibility with consumers, according to new research at Promar International, a food and healthcare consulting firm. All too often, companies don't have the concrete evidence to back extravagant health-promotion claims, and the consequence may be to bloat the functional food sector with products that could leave it sick, the consulting firm said. An expanding line-up of beverages, foods and pharmaceuticals that make bone, cardial and gastro health claims has lead to "a bewildering array of colorful brands and healthcare claims," according to Promar, which suggested a more reasoned strategy, including food and pharmaceutical producer-partnerships.
Copyright 2000, The Miller Publishing Company, a company of Rural Press Ltd.
