Officials at Tyson Foods released the following statement regarding Beef Products Inc. suspending operation at three plants: "We believe it's extremely unfortunate BPI has been forced to reduce operations, given its long history for producing safe, nutritious lean beef."

BEIRUT -- At least 20 people, including a Chinese national, are in police custody and being investigated for violating food safety laws, Justice Minister Shakib Qortbawi said Monday.

I’m Eldon Roth. I’ve spent my life committed to making food safe for millions of people. For me, my wife, my kids, my grandkids, and millions of school kids across the U.S. If I’m at a family BBQ, or meeting with government inspectors, I say the same thing: we provide safe, sustainable meat, at an affordable price.

Last week nearly every major retail grocery chain announced it would stop selling ground beef that contains lean finely textured beef (LFTB) or finely textured beef (FTB).

The Portland Press Herald ran a two-part series on the Salmonella Typhimurium in ground beef outbreak linked to Hannaford grocery stores in Maine that sickened at least 20 people. Excerpts below:

The California Strawberry Commission is in the midst of its second food safety risk assessment. The Packer reports the commission itself — not third-party auditors — is doing the assessment, following the harvest gradually from south to north. The work began in late 2011, and should be completed sometime this year.

Calgary, Alta. -- A new culture of care is emerging around farm animal welfare that demands fresh thinking, partnerships, expectations and strategies for the livestock industry to define a successful future. And it's coming fast, say speakers at the Livestock Care Conference, March 21-22 in Red Deer, Alberta.

The Associated Press is reporting that the company that makes "pink slime" is suspending operations at three of four plants where the low-cost beef filler amid a public outcry over concern about the ingredient.

China Daily reports tough penalties will be used to end entrenched abuses in the catering industry, such as the use of poppy capsules, a major source of many opiates, and industrial coloring agents, according to the top food administrator. The State Food and Drug Administration will urge in its 2012 food regulation plan a crack down on the illegal use of additives.