AG Headlines, Wednesday September 2, 2015

Lawsuit Filed Against Chipotle’s GMO-Free Claims

A class action lawsuit filed on behalf of California consumer’s targets Chipotle’s claim of being GMO-free. The lawsuit, announced this week, alleges that Chipotles claim its menu does not contain genetically modified organisms is deceptive and misleading to consumers because many of Chipotle's menu items do contain GMO’s. The complaint alleges that Chipotle serves meat products that come from animals fed genetically engineered feed, that its sour cream and cheese ingredients come from dairy farms that feed animals with genetically engineered feed, and that Chipotle sells soft drinks that are made with corn syrup that includes GMO’s. The complaint goes on to say that Chipotle's claims are false and misleading to customers because Chipotle's menu was never free of GMO’s at any time.

USDA: Schools Serving Healthier Meals Thanks to Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act

USDA said on Tuesday children are eating healthier meals at school thanks to the bipartisan Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act. The announcement comes as Congress is set to return from recess after Labor Day and turn attention to reauthorizing spending measures. USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack spoke Tuesday at the Center for American Progress in Washington D.C. urging Congress to reauthorize the Act. USDA says the action has improved the quality of school meals and the health of children, garnering support from parents, teacher’s doctors and kids themselves. Further, USDA claims more than 95 percent of schools report they are meeting the updated nutrition standards.

NPB Announces America’s Pig Farmer of the Year Finalist

The National Pork Board has announced four finalists who are vying for the title of its new America’s Pig Farmer of the YearSM award program. The four finalists met Tuesday in Chicago with an expert panel of judges as the judges viewed on-farm videos produced at the finalists’ farms and conducted interviews. The goal of the program is to honor the U.S. pig farmer who best excels at raising pigs using the We CareSM ethical principles and is best able to share his or her farming story with the American public. The 2015 finalists are Steve Kerns of Clearfield, Iowa, Marti Knoblock of Rock Rapids, Iowa, Keith Schoettmer of Tipton, Indiana and Lauren Schwab of Somerville, Ohio. The winner will be announced October 7th. The public can vote online through September 10th for their favorite finalist at Americas pig farmer dot com. (www.americaspigfarmer.com).