USDA to list stores that sell recalled meats
“You mean they weren’t doing this already?” My aunt asked me this question when I mentioned that the USDA is finally going to mention stores that sell recalled meats and poultry products.
According to what I’ve been reading restaurants, distributions centers, and institutions are exempt. Why? here is what the FSIS has to say…
FSIS will not identify distribution centers, institutions or restaurants, since they prepare food for immediate consumption without packaging that is identifiable or available to consumers.
This past February over 143 million pounds of beef was recalled by the Westland/Hallmark Meat Co. in Shino, California; however, you wouldn’t know what stores carried this recalled meat? Why? It’s classified as a “Class II” which means it doesn’t have to be reported.
A Class I recall is one that involves a reasonable probability of serious health consequences or death for those with weakened immune systems.
Of course, the Agriculture department has been opposed to this. The Food Safety and Inspection Service have been trying to get this past for two years. What truly is interesting is that both Agriculture Secretary Edward Schafer and Food Safety Undersecretary Richard Raymond say they will try to limit the disclosure to only Class I meats.
What that means is people who want to see whether the stores they shop at purchase the “Class II” recalled meats won’t be able to see that information since officials claim that Class II meats damage is minimal. It sort of makes you wonder why it was recalled in the first place if the risk was “minimal,” right?
The interesting thing is I had been telling my aunt this for years. She knows I’m vegan and keep up-to-date about all sorts of nutrition info. Not only does she asks I questions abut veganism she asks questions about animal processing. I was raised with farm animals, been to a few slaughter houses, and I do read a lot of information (pro and con) on the subject.
My aunt (mothers sister) is no stranger to farm animals. They grew up on a farm so she is familiar with raising them, caring for them, and killing them for food. However, they didn’t eat animals that were sick. When they died they were buried. Not so in the farming industry many downed animals are passed on to unsuspecting consumers.
The sad thing is this news isn’t new this type of madness has been going on in years.
You can read more about recalled meats at the USDA website…
Is the U.S. the only country where this sort of things goes on? This type of stuff really annoys me; it always has, because consumers should have the right to know whether stores are selling tainted meat. In fact, I think it should be labeled. However since we know that isn’t going to happen it’s best to stay informed (as much as possible) about what you are consuming. The Food Safety and Inspection Service will be listing the retail stores that sell the tainted meat (I’m not sure when) so if you do consume animal products it would be a good idea to bookmark it.
[tags]tainted meat, USDA, recalled meat, The Food Safety and Inspection Service[/tags]
on July 13th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
YIKES! that’s some scary info! Thanks for the heads up.
I have to wonder about the restaurant part though. Food is not ALWAYS prepared for immediate consumption. I’ve seen meat out in the open for a day/several hours. What do they say about that (Besides the health inspectors opinion, as they’re not always around to see things like that)
MacBross last blog post..Need a Smile?
on July 13th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
Ugh. This is why I don’t eat meat. :-(
JuiceGirls last blog post..Fruit Smoothie: Blueberry-Banana
on July 14th, 2008 at 4:23 am
@MacBros - The only thing I can think of is that they don’t tell consumers about it since they don’t see the original packaging but again this type of stuff and other things within the mean industry has been going on for years. It would appear that some think that profit is more important than a human life which is why I’m always saying that people really need to know what they are eating.
@JuiceGirl - It’s not the only reason for myself and I know it’s not your only reason :-) This type of information does concern me. I read about this type of stuff a lot I guess I should write about it more here.
on July 14th, 2008 at 10:47 am
I have to agree with you 100% that people should know and have a right to know what they are putting into their bodies. I feel this way no matter what type of diet a person cares to live by, they have the right to all information concerning what they put into their bodies. It should make one all the more suspicious of things that agencies feel they need to hide or label sneakily. Where’s that truth in labeling when you need it?
teenis last blog post..Teeni Comes Clean
on July 14th, 2008 at 10:53 am
I can understand not wanting to cause a panic, but it seems worse not knowing where the recall happened.
Louises last blog post..Sauteed Smoked Gouda Cheese Grits with Black Bean Salsa Recipe
on July 14th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
Thats a good move, who would want to eat from a store that carried that kind of product.
on July 15th, 2008 at 10:37 pm
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on July 17th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
What if some little kid ate a dose that wouldn’t harm an adult? Then you can’t say it’s not a big deal. I can see how they don’t want to ruin some stores reputations, but this is people’s health we’re talking about! That’s just scary.
on July 17th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
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on July 20th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
That is really sad. The meat industry has always been really sketchy and we don’t know a lot of times what kind of meat we are buying. I am looking into buying locally grown meats that are free-range and are treated the way they are in factories.
on July 24th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
Hi Vegan Momma. I was referred to this blog by my friends at BabyThings4U. Who like me, are vegetarians. I would be a vegan if it wasn’t for my soft spot for eggs.
I will email this post over to another friend who up until recently was a militant vegan who ribbed me for eating eggs. However, recently he has slipped into the meat pit and is eating pies and everything. Maybe this will set him back on track.
on July 28th, 2008 at 12:22 am
It’s a shame. My friend has a website called usRecallnews.com that reports all of this type of thing to help raise awareness. It seems like almost every other day there is some sort of meet recall. I live in Hawaii and the beef they were serving to the local school kids needed to be recalled. That’s just one more reason why I always pack a lunch.
on August 1st, 2008 at 12:54 pm
That’s just sickening. It’s nothing less than a cover-up. Protect the money instead of the people. Disgusting. These government officials are supposed to be primarily concerned with safeguarding the public’s best interests. That’s their freaking job. They should be fired immediately and brought up on charges.
Tiger Lilys last blog post..Uncovering Hidden Food Dangers
on August 2nd, 2008 at 1:47 am
I don’t think people should be eating meat anyway. Animals are to be loved and cherished. How can anyone have animals in his / her farm and then go ahead and kill them? I simply do not understand that.
Xanya Weisss last blog post..Ionic Currents - The Spark of Life
on August 4th, 2008 at 1:46 am
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on August 19th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
I will send this to my mom, she is interested in this topic. Thanks for sharing!
on August 19th, 2008 at 10:31 pm
OMG - I’m so glad we don’t have that issue here in Australia. I rarely eat meat (once or twice a month) and I only eat free range meat … in fact my family has a free range farm but even our hardcore commercial farming neighbors would never slaughter and sell a sick animal or even use it to feed other animals for that matter . Our government insists on paddock to plate records showing exactly where the animal has been from birth to sale for consumption.
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