meat

U.S. food inspectors documented unsanitary conditions at three Boar's Head deli meat plants in addition to the Virginia factory that was shut down last year, according to recently released records

The ready-to-eat meals, processed at an Oklahoma plant operated by BrucePac, went out to more than 200 schools, including nine in Florida.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal says that the USDA inspector general is looking into whether federal and state inspectors responded appropriately to dozens of reports of problems at a Virginia factory.

Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker, who held a hearing Monday, issued a 21-page decision denying the Upside Foods' request for a preliminary injunction. The ruling does not end the company's lawsuit.

Upside Foods filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the law and requested a preliminary injunction.

The lawsuit argues a new law against cultivated meat is unconstitutional and unfairly protects Florida cattle farmers from competition by out-of-state producers.

The new items include meat intended to be sliced at delis as well as some packaged meat and poultry products. Two people have died and nearly three dozen have been sickened in 13 states.

The USDA says Boar's Head is recalling all its liverwurst and additional products that were produced on the same line and on the same day. The recall includes about 207,528 pounds of meat.

While a vegetarian diet has long been thought to have health benefits, we might just be at a point in our evolution where the negative health impacts of eating meat may outweigh the benefits.

Florida, Alabama and Iowa have already enacted restrictions. Backers say they want to protect farmers and consumers. But those within the industry say their products must meet rigorous government safety tests.