USDA issues public health alert for ground beef due to possible E. coli contamination

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued a public health alert this week for certain ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, a potentially deadly bacterium. The alert was issued to warn consumers not to consume the products, though a recall was not requested as they are no longer […]

Hormel Foods recalls 256,185 pounds of canned beef stew over possible wood contamination

TUCKER, GA—Hormel Foods Corporation is recalling approximately 256,185 pounds of canned beef stew that may contain pieces of wood, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced Thursday. The recall involves 20-ounce metal cans of “Dinty Moore BEEF STEW” produced on February 4, 2025, with a “BEST BY FEB 2028” date and lot code “T02045” printed […]

Baltimore County Public Library’s 2025 Summer Reading Challenge to kick off in Perry Hall

TOWSON, MD—Baltimore County Public Library is gearing up for its annual Summer Reading Challenge, inviting children to “Color Our World” from June 7 to August 30. The program aims to encourage reading and prevent learning loss during the summer break. Children can participate by reading for 10 hours and tracking their progress on the Beanstack app or a printable game […]

BCPS summer breakfast, lunch program to begin on June 23

TOWSON, MD—Baltimore County Public Schools will offer free breakfast and lunch meals every weekday through the Summer Food Service Program beginning Monday, June 23, through Friday, August 15 (with the exception of Friday, July 4). Free meals are available for all children ages 2-18. There are several ways to access free summer meals for eligible children: Organized Program Sites BCPS […]

USDA issues alert for metal-contaminated pork carnitas sold at Aldi

BALTIMORE, MD—The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service issued a public health alert on Monday for pork carnitas products that may be contaminated with pieces of metal. The FSIS did not issue a recall because the product is no longer available for sale. The fully cooked pork carnitas products were produced on April 1-2, 2025, by an […]

FSIS issues health alert for various soup and bowl products due to possible wood contamination

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a public health alert for contaminated soup and bowl products containing wood in cilantro, an FDA-regulated ingredient. The contamination is due to an FDA-regulated ingredient, cilantro, which may contain foreign material. The affected products include several varieties of soup and bowl products from Campbell’s, Health Request, Life […]

Chesapeake Bay region lawmakers reintroduce bill to boost conservation practices

BALTIMORE, MD—A bipartisan coalition of lawmakers from the Chesapeake Bay region reintroduced legislation this week to support farmers adopting conservation practices that will improve water quality in the Bay and its tributaries. The Chesapeake Bay Conservation Acceleration Act proposes five changes to the next Farm Bill to encourage farmers to implement voluntary conservation practices. The Chesapeake Bay Task Force Co-chairs […]

Maryland Department of Environment announces $47 million in Clean Water Commerce Act funding for Chesapeake Bay health, economy

BALTIMORE, MD—Maryland has announced $47 million in funding for 15 projects aimed at reducing pollution in the Chesapeake Bay. The Maryland Department of Environment (MDE) says the projects will use a “pay-for-success” model, incentivizing farmers and landowners to implement pollution-reducing practices. The projects will receive funding based on their ability to demonstrate cost-effective clean water solutions. These projects include shoreline […]