Last week, Minnesota Safe Food Link, a coalition of farmer and consumer groups, made an appearance at a Minnesota Twins game. The ADA has been a supporter of rBGH and was on hand to pass out free cheese graters. Minnesota Safe Food Link handed out flyers and stickers prior to game time. Jon Youngdahl, one of the event's coordinators, said the night was successful in terms of response from attendees. Milk is as American as baseball.
Consumers continue to ask for rBGH-free, labeled milk.
At a recent speech before a meeting of the Institute of Food Technologists in Atlanta, Espy said he is fully cooperating with the Justice Department investigation and that he expects to be cleared soon. At issue is whether Espy violated the 1907 Meat Inspection Act, which prohibits USDA employees from accepting gifts from anyone in the meat industry who might benefit from the agency's policies. Anyone within the USDA can, on an anonymous basis, allege anything. And since the allegations come against a senior Cabinet official, the FBI has an obligation to investigate. If found in violation, the secretary could receive a one-year mandatory prison sentence.