Food and Farm News

Idaho Links Toddler’s Death to Spinach
It has been confirmed that the death of a 2-year-old Idaho boy was caused by exposure to E coli tainted spinach. The boy’s death was the second to be linked to the recent E coli outbreak.

Md. issues alert for missing pigs in states including Indiana
100 pigs that officials believe may be infected with the parasite trichinosis have gone missing from their Maryland farm. The farm has been under quarantine since April, when officials discovered that livestock on the premises were feeding on garbage and the rotting carcasses of other animals. Officials fear that the 100 missing pigs may have been taken to be slaughtered, which is important because trichinosis can infect humans.

Got milked? Robot puts cow in control of milking
A Swedish-made robotic cow milker, which apparently functions only when cows voluntarily approach it, is being marketed to dairy farms as a means to drastically reduce labor costs. The machine involves lasers, which locate the teats, as well as rubber cups that clean and dry them before milking, and costs $250,000. The Swedish company that makes the machines is targeting small farms with fewer than 250 cows with their marketing campaign.

Nanotechnology regulatory oversight inadequate, study finds
The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars has released a study that calls for increased government regulation of nanotechnology in food production. This new technology is considered a revolutionary new force in food manufacturing, however very little research has been done on the possible human health consequences of consuming foods produced with the use of nanotechnology.