China meat association calls for exporters to disinfect shipments to prevent COVID-19

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-china-food/china-meat-assoc-calls-for-exporters-to-disinfect-shipments-to-prevent-covid-19-idUSKBN2930YW

• According to the China Meat Association, Chinese meat importers and processors are asking exporters in countries with COVID-19 outbreaks to improve their checks on shipments before they are sent to China.
• Gao Guan, spokesman for the China Meat Association claims that it would be better to handle virus control at the meats exporting origins and disinfect the product at production plants in order to reduce costs and increase efficiency.
• A statement published on the association’s official WeChat account stated that they suggest exporters with outbreaks disinfect the outer packaging of products and the inner side of containers before sealing export products to be shipped.
• This proposal was sparked after some major exporters, such as JBS in Brazil, increased their disinfecting measures to supply China with safe products.
  • China is hoping that increased disinfection will boost consumer confidence in imported cold-chain products.
• According to the China Meat Association, reported cases of the virus have shown that contact with packaging contaminated with coronavirus can lead to human infection.
• From the beginning of the pandemic, the World Health Organization has claimed that the risk of contracting COVID-19 from frozen food is low to nonexistent.
  • Chinese officials agree that the risk is low, but there is still a risk.

Beef and dairy take a hit in new USDA Dietary Guidelines

https://www.agdaily.com/news/beef-and-dairy-take-a-hit-in-new-usda-dietary-guidelines/

• The newly released USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs) put an emphasis on lean meats, news that will most likely leave beef producers a bit frustrated and looking to reinforce the positive science behind beef.
• The DGA’s stated that Americans meet or exceed the recommendation for meat, poultry and eggs.
  • Almost half the time proteins are consumed as a mixed dish such as a sandwich or a burger, something the guidelines discourage due to increased saturated fats and sodium.
• These guidelines have shone a negative light on red meat, but whether or not that will affect actual consumer demand is yet to be seen.

Dietary guidelines for Americans solidifies the benefits of been and a healthy diet

https://www.ncba.org/newsreleases1.aspx?NewsID=7404

• The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association has commended the USDA and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for their newly released 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs).
  • The organization said on Tuesday that these guidelines acknowledge the importance of lean beef in a healthy diet.
• Marty Smith, NCBA’s president, said that the guidelines offer realistic advice to help create balanced diets.
• Smith closed by saying that U.S. cattle producers appreciate the work of the committee, USDA and HHS for putting together a set of guidelines that will benefit all Americans.

Boxed beef prices

www.nationalbeefwire.com

• Choice boxed beef: $210.53 (+0.23)
• Select boxed beef: $199.86 (+4.38)