Bison Popularity Continues to Soar - Processing Leaps by 21% over 2006 06/18/2007 Consumer demand for bison meat continues to surge, with sales up roughly 17 percent during the first five months of 2007. The continued rise this year comes on top of a 21 percent increase in demand in 2006, according to the statistics compiled by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
According to USDA, nearly 20,000 bison were processed during the first five months of 2007. This surpasses the number of animals processed during all of 2001. "People are discovering bison as a flavorful, healthy alternative to everyday meats," said Dave Carter, executive director of the National Bison Association. "It's popping up on restaurant menus, and in retail cases, throughout the country as more and more people beginning to include bison as a part of their diet." Carter credited a growing public interest in cooking, health and the environment to the growing popularity of bison. "First, it's a flavorful meat that's slightly sweeter than beef and easy to prepare. Second, the low fat, high protein and high iron content of bison fits well with today's health-conscious consumer. And, bison is a natural meat, produced sustainably without added growth hormones or antibiotics," Carter said. The National Bison Association represents more than 1,100 ranchers, processors and marketers dedicated to restoring American buffalo as a part of the American diet, and American ecosystem.
Click Here to read about Professional Bodybuilder J'lyn Nye's story and how she incorporated bison into her diet. Why Natural Dog Food is Best: COLUMBIA, S.C. - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration reports that at least 76 dogs nationwide are believed to have died as a result of eating contaminated Diamond Pet Foods. The company has recalled 19 varieties of dog and cat food because tests showed high levels of aflatoxin, a naturally occurring toxic chemical that comes from a fungus found on corn and other grains that causes severe liver damage in animals. The company recalled products manufactured at its Gaston, S.C., plant from around September to November 2005. Based on sample testing, Diamond has narrowed down the exposure to food produced on Oct. 11, Brinkmann said Thursday. The FDA and the South Carolina Department of Agriculture have launched investigations. Customers who have purchased the recalled Diamond Pet Food manufactured in the South Carolina plant should immediately stop using it and return any remaining product to their retailer, according to the FDA. The range of date codes being reviewed are "Best By 01-March-07" through Best By " 11-June-07". FDA also has discovered that some of the recalled product was exported to at least 29 countries, including countries within the European Union. These countries have been notified. Diamond officials say they are doing what they can to help affected pet owners. “It’s going to take some time to take care of all these customers, and we’re going to do it,” said the company’s chief operating officer, Mark Brinkmann. Diamond has promised to reimburse pet owners for vet bills and other costs associated with the aflatoxin poisoning, which officials now believe may include pets in Europe and other areas outside the country where the food is distributed. Article from MSNBC Click Here for our Ruff & Rowdy Bison Raw Dog Food |