In a nutshell: While the acronyms are maddening, travelers from Mexico are no longer permitted to bring cooked poultry, deli-sliced poultry meat, and hard boiled eggs into the United States. The problem is exotic Newcastle Disease (END). So keep that turkey sandwich on the other side of the border!

According to Wikipedia, Newcastle disease is a contagious bird disease affecting many domestic and wild avian species. Its effects are most notable in domestic poultry due to their high susceptibility and the potential for severe impacts of poultry industries.

Exposure of humans to infected birds in poultry processing plants can cause mild conjunctivitis and influenza-like symptoms, but the Newcastle disease virus (NDV) otherwise poses no hazard to human health.

from the press release distributed by the U.S. Customs & Border Protection

CBP Notifies Travelers of New Regulations for Cooked Poultry Meat and Eggs from Mexico

TUCSON, Ariz—Effective immediately, the regulations regarding bringing cooked poultry (e.g. chicken and turkey) meat, including deli-sliced poultry meat, and cooked, hard-boiled eggs into the U.S. from Mexico are changing. Officials are urging travelers to be aware of the new requirements, and to always declare all food items to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers when crossing the border.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) informed CBP that APHIS is implementing new requirements for processed (including cooked) poultry meat and cooked, hard-boiled eggs brought by passengers arriving from regions where APHIS considers exotic Newcastle disease (END) to exist. Currently, Mexico is a country recognized by APHIS as being affected by END.

According to the new requirements, processed poultry meat brought by passengers arriving from Mexico must be accompanied by government certification confirming that the meat was cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 74 degrees Celsius, or a USDA APHIS Veterinary Services (VS) import permit. Thoroughly cooked eggs from Mexican states other than Sinaloa and Sonora must now be accompanied by a VS import permit.

CBP officers and agriculture specialists enforce hundreds of laws at the border for other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. Following other agency regulations, CBP is required to take action when encountering poultry meat and eggs: importations presented without the required certification will be seized or refused entry.

As a reminder, travelers are encouraged to declare all food items to CBP officials. Failure to declare prohibited agricultural items can result in civil penalties. Penalties for personal importations of undeclared, prohibited agricultural items, depending on the severity of the violation, can run as high as $1,000; and up to more than $250,000 for commercial importations.

Any media questions can be directed to the National Center for Import Export (NCIE) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services (USDA APHIS VS) at (301) 734-3277.

Pima County is proposing a new ordinance requiring hand washing stations at events with food or human/animal contact. Public Forum April 5, at 3 p.m.

FEATsAZ Members:
Sharon Browning, Pima County Health Department, has asked FEATsAZ* to forward this letter to all concerned Stakeholders:

RE: PROPOSED ORDINANCE TO PROMOTE HAND WASHING AND PROVIDE HAND WASHING FACILITIES
Proposed Pima County Handwashing Ordinance

The Pima County Health Department proposes to enact ordinances to promote hand washing for patrons at events where food is offered or distributed or where contact between humans and animals occurs, such as petting zoos, animal adoption fairs, or at pony rides. The simple act of hand washing has been shown to reduce infectious disease from being transmitted from person to person or from animal to person. These ordinances will allow businesses to support Pima County’s residents as they strive toward health and wellness.

On Tuesday, April 5, at 3 p.m. the Pima County Health Department will host a one-hour forum where you may voice your opinion on this new ordinance. Pima County is especially interested in learning about any unintended consequences that may occur as a result of enacting this ordinance. The meeting will be held at:

Herbert K. Abrahms Building
Room 1104, First Floor
3950 S. Country Club Road
Tucson, AZ 85714

If you have questions contact Sharon Browning at (520) 234-7767.
If you cannot attend the meeting and would like to send your comments, please email: chfs@pima.gov

*FEATSAZ is the Festival Events Association of Tucson & So. AZ

Do you think this is a good idea? Why?

Do you think this is a bad idea? Why?

Eat your veggies

I’m not a vegan or even a closet vegetarian for that matter. I eat meat. I am conflicted because I hate animal cruelty – dog racing, puppy mills, horse racing, harness racing, cockfighting, dog fighting, rodeos, circuses, dog sledding, shooting at wolves from an airplane.

I don’t eat meat every day and often times don’t even buy meat but then do eat fish, dairy, and eggs. Most meat doesn’t taste as good as it used to especially after seeing the movie, Food, Inc. Those images and facts were troubling at best.

New York Times writer and cookbook author Mark Bittman claims to be a flexitarian whereby he eats vegan all day until dinner and then can eat and drink whatever he wants on the days he wants to do so. His book, Food Matters explains the concept.

We live in crazy times. It’s probably going to get worse before it gets better especially here in Arizona. I don’t know who came up with this idea but someone suggested that Pima County or Southern Arizona secede from the rest of Arizona. Some went wild with the concept and others said it was stupid. Whatever. Like when can we ever agree on anything anyway?

PETA heard this idea and as always wants to get involved with their own spin – for Baja Arizona to “Secede from Cruelty: Go Vegan.” According to PETA, the new 51st state should be free of racism and speciesism. PETA contends that the new Baja Arizona—whose mission statement includes being “friendly to its neighbors”—would be more friendly to all its neighbors if the residents of dairy-farming Pima County dumped dairy products and adopted cruelty-free vegan diets instead.

PETA is currently looking for a billboard to shower us with their message. When the billboard is up, let me know and I’ll announce its location.

For people who are curious about living a vegan lifestyle, A Symposium for Conscientious Eating happens on Saturday, April 30 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Windmill Suites at St. Phillip’s Plaza, 4250 N. Campbell Ave.

Topics to be discussed include: prevent and reverse heart disease; how to eat plant perfect; the China Study; the Engine 2 Diet; the truth behind type 2 diabetes, and how to keep things moving and grooving below the belt (ahem).
.
There will also be a screening of the documentary called Chow Down.

A vegan lunch from Lovin’ Spoonfuls restaurant is included. Advance tickets are $55 but students/seniors $35. Call 520-275-7999 to order tickets. Visit the website for more info.

The event is sponsored by Vegan Source, Whole Foods Market, Bluezone Organics, Rachael Laing, Lovin’ Spoonfuls, YogaOasis.

If you’re a vegan, please share how you made the leap to that lifestyle. I see more vegan options on local Tucson restaurant menus. Is dining out more user-friendly? Also if you’re a vegan caterer or a caterer with vegan options, please post a comment so I can contact you for a possible event I am planning. I know about Lovin’ Spoonfuls but want to check out other sources.