02 Sep 2010
Blame Factory Farms for Salmonella Outbreak?

Brown EggsThe only real reason CBS got the link for this sordid tale is that this is the only story I've run across in the MSM that's more fact than bunk - they at least seem to have a inkling about the real cause.

"We have very cheap food in this country. It's hard to argue against it, and I won't," says Nestle. "We have made cheap food a value rather than value good food."

I have read how the eggs were contaminated by sick chickens - theoretically possible, I suppose, but highly unlikely. These eggs were almost certainly contaminated from being filthy in the first place and not adequately washed. Probably in cold water, which will actually drive the bacteria into the egg.

I heard a radio interview with one of the "farmers" at the egg factory, expressing amazement that eggs and shit came out the same chute in the chicken.

I've heard numerous folks swearing to go vegetarian to avoid food poisoning - enjoy your spinach!

I got a big kick out of this CNN article, which features a photo of "easter" eggs. These are laid by Aracuna or Americana hens, and are not used in commercial egg production. These are farm eggs, and almost certainly salmonella free, illustrating a story about food poisoning.

Our egg sales have gone through the roof since this story broke - suddenly folks don't think $3/doz. is too expensive anymore. Imagine that.

What this has really hammered home to me is our society's incredible level of ignorance about food - where is comes from, how it's produced and even how to prepare and eat it. And this is one area where ignorance is decidedly not bliss. It can be deadly.

The clue phone is ringing - I wonder if we'll ever get it?

In the midst of the largest salmonella scare we've seen in years, people are staying away from Caesar salad and examining their egg cartons for suspicious numbers and dates. At the same time, they're wondering whom to blame.

(link) [CBS News]

21:51 /Agriculture | 1 comment | permanent link