“However, while today marks a great step forward, there are important food safety issues not covered by this law that Congress must address, including the impact of line speed and worker protection on the safety of our food supply.

“By guaranteeing worker rights and safety, and by strengthening whistleblower protections, Congress can make our country’s food even safer.”

The UFCW is working to raise awareness in Congress and among consumers about the relationship between line speed and microbiological contamination in food processing plants.

The Union is advocating for line speed regulations that will keep workers, and the food they produce, safe.

Calif. company settles ammonia leak lawsuit

A California sausage maker has agreed to pay $850,000 to settle a lawsuit in connection with a 2009 ammonia leak. Seventeen employees who worked at Columbus Manufacturing of San Mateo County were affected by the leak and required treatment at a hospital.

The suit alleged the company failed to properly train employees, update safety information and perform a proper safety review of new equipment.

The settlement included no admission of wrongdoing by the company. However, it is required to install ammonia-leak sensors outside the facility and set up a system to notify neighbors and employees by phone in the event of a release.

More beef and poultry, but less pork, in 2011

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) said that beef and poultry production in 2010 exceeded expectations. The agency also predicted increased beef and poultry production in 2011.