Even crappier meat

Michael Pollak mpollak at panix.com
Sat Nov 2 12:13:56 PST 2002



> Leaked USDA Memo Shows Constraints on Authority of Meat Inspectors,

<snip>


> The memo warns that:
>
> "stopping production for 'possible' cross contamination is unjustifiable
> unless you can verify that there is direct product contamination.
> Verification is OBSERVATION of gross contaminate not SUSPECTED
> contaminate. This is the only criteria for justifying halting
> production."
>
> This low standard extends even to fecal matter, which is the source of
> deadly pathogens such as E. coli 0157:h7.

<snip>


> Felicia Nestor, food safety project director of GAP, said "The USDA is
> abandoning the zero tolerance standard for any fecal contamination on beef
> and replacing it with a new standard - wholesome unless there is 'gross'
> contamination.

and continued


> 'Gross' is an inherently subjective standard."

Indeed.

Michael



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