Under pressure, USDA extends flexible free school meals program

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue had previously said extending the full program into the fall was "beyond" what the USDA could do, but lawmakers disagreed.

• Sep 1, 2020

Some mystery seeds illegally sent from China identified

At least 14 of the seed species had been identified, according to the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

• Aug 4, 2020

Mystery seeds from China are landing in Americans' mailboxes

U.S. agriculture officials are warning residents not to plant or even touch the unsolicited seeds, which have now been found in all 50 states.

• Jul 29, 2020

USDA warns Americans about suspicious seeds

Federal authorities are on alert for suspicious foreign packages containing seeds, sent to Americans in states across the country. The USDA has now put out a warning urging those who have received the packages not to open them.

• Jul 29, 2020
• 01:20

Mystery seeds from China raise alarm

The U.S. Department of Agriculture and officials in multiple states have issued warnings about unsolicited packets of seeds apparently sent from China, and are advising people not to plant them. CBS Los Angeles reports.

• Jul 28, 2020
• 00:32

Dole recalls baby spinach over salmonella

Dole Fresh Vegetables is recalling baby spinach sold in 10 states after a random sample tested positive for salmonella. Consumers with the spinach being recalled were urged not to consume the product, but to discard it, according to a company notice posted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Anyone with questions can call 1-800-356-3111.

• Aug 13, 2019
• 00:48

Exposing injustice against black farmers

A black farmer sent to jail in what he calls a wrongful animal cruelty conviction is set to have a hearing next week. Michael Stovall will try to clear his name and also find out why the USDA denied him the same grant loans and other aid white farmers in similar financial situations received. Katti Gray, a fellow at the Fund for Investigative Journalism, looked into the injustices black farmers are facing and joined CBSN AM with her reporting.

• Oct 24, 2019
• 07:33

A new deadly virus could decimate the rabbit population

Rabbits are currently battling a viral disease of their own, and it could wipe out entire populations.

• May 19, 2020

Impact of proposed changes to food stamps

For more than 34 million Americans, food stamps help them survive. Now there's concern proposed changes in the USDA's SNAP program could drastically cut those benefits, as the Trump administration says it wants to reduce waste. Adriana Diaz reports.

• Dec 18, 2019
• 04:22

Trump administration still wants to cut food stamps

USDA says curbing benefits access is "right approach," but experts warn that millions of Americans can't afford food.

• May 15, 2020

3 USDA meat inspectors dead, about 145 diagnosed with COVID-19

Hundreds of federal meat inspectors have been exposed to COVID-19, as coronavirus outbreaks spread to thousands of workers at processing plants across the country.

• May 5, 2020

Ground beef recalled in nine states

The beef was sent to retailers in: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

• Jan 25, 2020

The U.S. was briefly a trade partner with Wakanda

The USDA added the fictional east African nation during a software test. Wakanda has since then been removed.

• Dec 19, 2019

Why proposed food stamp changes could make "the poor more poor"

An estimated 3.7 million Americans could lose their SNAP benefits next year if the government implements the changes

• Dec 18, 2019

Trump's food-stamp cuts could increase "deaths of despair"

Experts say USDA proposals to curb access to food aid would likely boost hunger and increase "deaths of despair"

• Dec 10, 2019

More than two million pounds of chicken recalled

Simmons Prepared Foods, Inc. issued a voluntary recall after discovering the contamination during a routine safety check

• Nov 7, 2019

Perdue recalls nearly 16 tons of organic chicken products

Consumers complained about finding pieces of bone in the "Simply Smart" line of tenders, breast strips and nuggets

• Jun 3, 2019

Recalled Vienna Beef hot dogs might contain metal fragments

Maker of Chicago-style hot dogs says 2,000 pounds of beef frank links may be contaminated with "extraneous material"

• May 20, 2019

Tyson recalls nearly 12M pounds of chicken

The USDA said the products may contain "extraneous materials, specifically pieces of metal"

• May 6, 2019

Housing's hidden crisis: Rural Americans struggle to pay rent

Low wages and a lack of affordability are landing a one-two punch on rural regions from Maine to Oregon

• Apr 10, 2019

USDA says cats will no longer be used in deadly research tests

USDA officials have discontinued a controversial animal testing procedure that has killed kittens

• Apr 3, 2019

Sausage products recalled over possible metal contamination

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the recall for North Country Smokehouse, of Claremont

• Mar 26, 2019

Kale added to list of fruits and veggies with most pesticides

Consumer advocacy group finds chemical residues on nearly 70 percent of conventionally grown produce in the U.S.

• Mar 21, 2019

Pork patties sold at Kroger, Walmart and other stores may contain rubber

Wisconsin sausage producer shipped more than 48,000 pounds of possibly tainted meat to retailers nationwide

• Jan 21, 2019

Perdue recalls chicken nuggets for possible wood contamination

Company reports customer complaints that wood was found in its gluten-free Organics Breaded Chicken Breast Nuggets

• Jan 18, 2019

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