U.S. Agriculture Department officials have launched an internal investigation into how the agency handled reports of serious problems tied to a deadly listeria outbreak at a Boar's Head deli meat plant in Virginia.

If you’re one of the millions of Houston residents who had their food spoiled because of the power outages, you might be trying to get rid of the dead animal smell in your fridge. Here are some tips on how you can do so. What tricks have you tried to get rid of the smell?

With bitterly cold temperatures expected across much of Texas, hopefully you are taking steps to make sure your family, your pets, and your home are ready for the frigid weather. Before you settle in to ride out this winter blast though, you should check the inside of your car to make sure you didn’t accidentally leave something outside that could cause an expensive mess.

Houston-area food pantry operators have reported spikes in demand stemming from inflation and the ending of certain pandemic-related benefits. The president of the Houston Food Bank told KPRC 2 at least 1 million people in the region are experiencing food insecurity.

Willamette Valley Fruit Co. has recalled select packages of frozen fruit that contain strawberries grown in Mexico due to a potential risk of hepatitis A contamination.

According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans through 2025, women in their 20s should eat 2,000 to 2,400 calories, depending on activity level. Calories decrease to all the way down between 1,600 to 2,000 calories by the time a woman is in her 60s.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, there’s been a rise in the number of families – who don’t know where their next meal is coming from. A Montgomery County organization is working to help ease the need.

Farms that raise turkeys and chickens for meat and eggs are on high alert, fearing a repeat of a widespread bird flu outbreak in 2015 that killed 50 million birds across 15 states and cost the federal government nearly $1 billion.

If you were thinking about eating that Panera Bread at-home chicken soup in your fridge, hold on.

With bitterly cold temperatures expected across much of Texas this week, hopefully you are taking steps to make sure your family, your pets, and your home are ready for the frigid weather. Before you settle in to ride out this winter blast though, you should check the inside of your car to make sure you didn’t accidentally leave something outside that could cause an expensive mess.

Gobble gobble! Is your turkey ready for the oven this Thanksgiving?

KATY, Texas – The Katy Independent School District is providing free meals to all students in the area, even if they aren’t part of the district, after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) extended the food program waiver, the district announced. Katy ISD began providing meals Monday and students can receive free breakfast and lunch through Dec. 31, or pending available funds through the USDA and TDA. “All students are eligible for one breakfast and one lunch meal per day per federal guidance,” said Nutrition & Food Service Executive Director Donna Pittenger. “Parents can however add funds to their student’s Pay N' Go meal account for a la carte purchases or in preparation for when the USDA waiver ends,” she added. Once the waiver expires, Katy ISD will switch back to the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program, according to a press release.

HOUSTON – A local Houston event center has served thousands of families during weekly food drives for the community. Imagen Venues joined the USDA’s Farmers-to-Families Food Box program to distribute milk and produce to families every Thursday during the summer. “We are serving about 3,000 families every Thursday which turns into we’ve served about 17,000-21,000 families since we started this project in June,” said Weed. The food distribution site will give three gallons of milk and two crates of fruits and vegetables to each car. Amanda Ruiz told KPRC 2 that she has visited the food distribution every Thursday and is grateful for the community support.

HOUSTON – Both the U.S. and Texas departments of Agriculture are advising people not to plant any unsolicited seeds they may have gotten in the mail. According to Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, these seed packets, falsely labeled as jewelry, come from China and have been mailed to people all over the country, including Texas. People are being advised not to plant the seeds as it could contain a harmful invasive plant that could cause damage to the Texas ecosystem, Miller said. “An invasive plant species might not sound threatening, but these small invaders could destroy Texas agriculture. The TDA is asking anyone who may have received a packet to report it immediately at SITC.Mail@aphis.usda.gov.

The Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) was approved by the USDA for students who receive free and reduced lunches. Since some school districts, like Houston ISD, have so many low-income students that qualify for the benefit, it is offered to every student, regardless of the family’s income. Because of a provision that we have, all HISD students receive free lunch. We checked with Houston-area school districts. If your child attends one of those schools, they can get the $285 P-EBT card.

HOUSTON – Nearly 43,000 pounds of ground beef that has been sold at Walmart and other retailers across the country is being recalled. vacuum packages containing “MARKETSIDE BUTCHER ORGANIC GRASS-FED GROUND BEEF” and a use or freeze by date of 07/01/20 and lot code P-53298-82. vacuum packages containing four ¼ lb. pieces of “MARKETSIDE BUTCHER ORGANIC GRASS-FED GROUND BEEF PATTIES” and a use or freeze by date of June 27, 2020 and lot code P-53934-28. vacuum packages containing three 1 lb.

HOUSTON – A South Carolina-based food maker is recalling more than 55,000 pounds of frozen breakfast burritos over concerns that they may contain pieces of plastic. The USDA said Tuesday the 3.38-pound 12-pack of El Monterey Signature Burrito Egg, Sausage and Cheese with a best-if-used-by date of Jan. 15, 2021 were sold nationwide. Officials said they were notified of three consumers who reported pieces of white, semi-rigid plastic that were found in the product. Officials said people should check their freezers for the recalled product. People with questions about the recall should call Ruiz Food Product Inc. at 800-772-6474.