Some of you may recall my post, Is beef what’s for dinner?, written in January. Today, I read more about this particular problem and the huge recall resulting from inappropriate actions at the Westland/Hallmark Meat Company in Chino, California. Before, it was thought that all beef related to the animal cruelty incident and the use of “downed cows” for human consumption had already been eaten in this country by school children and others where the meat was shipped. Now, the USDA has withdrawn from the plant, essentially forcing it to recall more millions of pounds of ground beef and hamburger patties.

According to the USDA, this meat probably isn’t a risk for mad cow disease because that bacteria resides mainly in the brain and spinal column. Now, I’m no scientist, but ox tail is an extension of the spinal column, isn’t it? If diseased cows are used for human consumption, and some have mad cow disease, couldn’t this present a problem?

I also have to wonder about our pet food, and if the diseased animals are used for pet food then they could become sick and die, or perhaps spread a disease to their owners. Last year, there was a pet food recall involving, among others, the canned and moist cat and dog food marketed by Walmart. It was too late for my cat, though. She died in my arms after just a couple of days of illness.

It’s getting to where it’s just not safe to eat anymore. There are so many food borne illnesses that are a direct result of consumer demand for bright, red beef, super tender pork and chicken, and blemish-free fruits and vegetables. I have to wonder if our own demand for perfection hasn’t actually put us in the position where we are consuming not only diseased meats, but also hormone and antibiotic enhanced meats and produce, grown more quickly than nature allows and presented to us on beds of lettuce without bug-bites because we demand it.

There needs to be more rigorous oversight at meat plants and produce fields, but part of the burden is on us to agree that naturally produced meats, fruits, and vegetables are completely acceptable and still highly nutritious. If we, as consumers, demand less chemical intervention in our food supply, the producers will eventually comply.

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