March 21, 2009

Russia to ban poultry from three US plants

Russia is banning poultry from three US plants, according to a document published on the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service website.

Russia said it made the decision to ban the three US plants "due to drug residue findings," according to USDA spokeswoman Amanda Eamich.

The USDA has asked for more information from Russia and is investigating the claims, Eamich said.

USDA listed the names and locations of the three plants that may not ship poultry to Russia after March 26. A Tyson Foods Inc. facility in Cumming, Ga.; a Peco Foods Inc. facility in Canton, Miss.; and a Sanderson Farms Inc. facility in Hammond, La., are being banned from shipping poultry to Russia, according to the USDA.