More Foreign Ownership Of U.S. Beef Processors Raises Food Safety Concerns

National Beef Packing Company, the fourth-largest beef processor in the United States, is now approximately 80% owned by a company from another nation. That has some people worried, including cattle ranchers, according to an article by Chris Walljasper, Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting.

Brandon Jaeger and Michelle Ajamian tell Food Tank they were driven by existential anxiety to open Shagbark Seed & Mill in Athens, Ohio. The facility produces Ohio-grown, certified organic dry beans and freshly milled grains to help create a local staple food market.

The U.S. is on high alert to prevent African swine fever from entering the country and wreaking havoc on the nation’s hog populations and, thereby, its pork supplies. The House has approved an additional $19.6 million in funding for more agricultural inspectors at land, air and seaports to prevent that specific disease and other foreign animal diseases from entering U.S. borders.

The grocer will begin its pilot at 25 stores in Ohio and Pennsylvania, and will include items such as bags, bottled beverages, straws and single-serve fresh food containers.

From record-breaking pork belly stock to a potential ban on consumption in some arenas, bacon had its fair share of time in the headlines in 2019. Here are five of the most-read stories.