Poultry industry booming as Americans eat more chicken

The poultry industry is booming as Americans eat more chicken. The National Chicken Council reports that Americans ate an estimated 80.2 pounds of chicken per person in 2017, up from 78.5 pounds the year before.

The industry is worth billions of dollars, and it's growing fast. Companies are investing in new technology and expanding their operations to meet the rising demand.

One of the biggest players in the industry is Tyson Foods, which is the largest processor and marketer of chicken in the United States. The company has been diversifying its business in recent years to include other meats such as beef and pork.

Tyson Foods is also making a big bet on plant-based meat. The company recently announced plans to invest $300 million in alternative protein over the next five years. CEO Donnie Smith says that the company sees plant-based meat as a "huge opportunity" for growth.

Other companies are also looking to get into the plant-based meat market. Hormel Foods, the makers of Spam, announced plans to launch a plant-based meat product called "Hormel REV" this year. And Beyond Meat, maker of the popular Beyond Burger, just filed for an initial public offering valuing the company at $1 billion.

So why is the poultry industry booming? There are a few reasons:

First, chicken is a healthy food choice. It's low in fat and calories, and it's packed with protein.

Second, chicken is affordable. It's often cheaper than other types of meat, which makes it a popular choice for budget-minded consumers.

And finally, chicken tastes good! It can be prepared in many different ways, making it a versatile option for meals and snacks.

The poultry industry is expected to continue growing at a fast pace in the coming years. As Americans continue to become more health conscious and mindful of their budgets, chicken will likely remain one of their favorite foods.

Governor signs bill legalizing backyard poultry in California

Governor Jerry Brown of California has signed a bill into law legalizing backyard poultry in the state. The new law, which goes into effect on January 1st, 2018, allows residents of California to keep up to 10 hens and no roosters on their property.

Supporters of the bill said that it would provide a more sustainable and local source of food for residents of California. They also pointed out that backyard poultry can help reduce the number of pests like rodents and cockroaches that often plague urban areas.

Opponents of the bill said that it could lead to an increase in the spread of disease, particularly salmonella, among humans and animals. They also raised concerns about the impact that backyard poultry could have on local ecosystems.

Governor Brown ultimately decided to sign the bill into law, noting that it provided some important protections for both people and animals.

FDA issues warning about raw poultry products

On March 9, 2018, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning to consumers not to eat raw poultry products. The warning was in response to an increase in Salmonella infections linked to raw poultry products.

The FDA is advising consumers to cook poultry products thoroughly to prevent foodborne illnesses. They also suggest washing hands, counters, and utensils after contact with raw poultry products.

Symptoms of Salmonella infection include fever, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. The illness usually lasts 4-7 days, and most people recover without treatment. However, Salmonella infection can be serious for pregnant women, young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.

If you have symptoms of a foodborne illness, consult your doctor.

Tyson recalls over 36,000 pounds of chicken nuggets

BEAVERTON, Ore. – Tyson Foods Inc. said Tuesday it was recalling more than 36,000 pounds of its chicken nuggets because they may be contaminated with rubber.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said the 5-pound bags of frozen Tyson White Meat Panko Chicken Nuggets were produced at the company's plant in Clarendon, Arkansas, on Nov. 26, 2018, and bears the establishment number "P-13556" inside the USDA mark of inspection.

The product was shipped to retail locations in 14 states, including Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Texas.

The problem was discovered after the company received consumer complaints about soft or artificial rubber materials being found in the nuggets. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.

"We are disappointed that some customers may have been inconvenienced and we apologize for that," a Tyson spokesperson said in a statement provided to USA TODAY. "We take food safety very seriously and are working with our suppliers to get this issue corrected."

This is not the first time Tyson has had to recall its chicken nuggets over contamination fears: In March 2017, the company recalled nearly 2 million pounds of its chicken nuggets after customers reported finding small pieces of plastic inside the product.

Study finds that eating poultry may reduce the risk of heart disease

A study published in the journal Atherosclerosis has found that eating poultry may reduce the risk of heart disease.

For the study, researchers analyzed data from more than 82,000 participants who were followed for an average of 16 years. The participants were asked about their poultry consumption and whether they had developed heart disease during the study period.

The results of the analysis showed that those who ate poultry were 23% less likely to develop heart disease than those who didn't eat poultry.

The authors of the study say that the benefits of eating poultry may be due to its high content of unsaturated fats and other nutrients like vitamin B6 and selenium.

While this is a preliminary study, it provides further evidence that eating a healthy diet, including poultry, can help reduce the risk of heart disease.