JustMe
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Elvis
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« on: November 13, 2007, 02:10:15 PM » |
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http://www.kansas.com/news/story/224631.htmlFOOD SAFETY CONCERN USDA allows E. coli in 'cook only' meat BY STEPHEN J. HEDGES Chicago Tribune WASHINGTON - One federal inspector calls it the "E. coli loophole." Another says, "Nobody would buy it if they knew." The officials are referring to the little-discussed fact that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has deemed it acceptable for meat companies to cook and sell meat on which E. coli, a bacteria that can sicken and even kill humans, is found during processing. Long article. There is no evidence that "cook only" meat has directly sickened consumers. But some inspectors contend that the practice conceals significantly higher levels of E. coli bacteria in packing plants than the companies admit to. That's because companies that find E. coli are allowed to shift that meat immediately into "cook only" lines, without reporting it to the USDA.
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« Last Edit: November 13, 2007, 02:22:16 PM by JustMe »
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"One cat just leads to another." ~ Ernest Hemingway
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lesliek
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« Reply #1 on: November 13, 2007, 02:20:19 PM » |
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Thats just great ! Most of it ends up in school lunch programs. Aren't children in the high risk group for kidney damage from e coli ?  |
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"the world's most inept extortionist"
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filbert
Random Dude
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Posts: 114
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« Reply #2 on: November 13, 2007, 02:55:06 PM » |
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Just some food for thought...
E. Coli is everywhere. I can almost guarantee that you have it on your hands, in your kitchen and in your refrigerator at this very moment.
If you're not washing your hands for at least 30 seconds, regardless of the cleaning product you're using, you're allowing a lot of bacteria to live and increasing the chance that it will develop resistance.
Also, studies have shown that people who clean and sanitize regularly are more susceptible to infections due to their decreased exposure because their immune systems aren't being exercised as much.
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The opinions expressed in this post are solely those of the author.
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filbert
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« Reply #3 on: November 13, 2007, 02:59:22 PM » |
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Probably just hokey thinking that, but it helps. (I bet someone will post a study now that what I am doing is totally ineffective. I do have my doubts about water being able to wash those BSE prions away.  ) I had my doubts too, but if you think about it... why is it ok to eat a rare steak? The reason is that most bacteria grows on the surface of meat (ground meat is bad b/c grinding has opened up lots of surface area). That's why searing just the outside of meat is considered good enough for restaurants to serve seared tuna or beef carpaccio. So, if bacteria is primarily on the surface of the meat, then theoretically, washing the surface should decrease the total amount that is present. Whether the amount washed away is significant enough to make it safe is debatable, but I would think it helps some. Given that... I don't bother washing my meat. |
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The opinions expressed in this post are solely those of the author.
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Carol
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« Reply #4 on: November 13, 2007, 03:00:49 PM » |
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As filbert says:
Just some food for thought...
Nice touch in the e. coli thread!!!
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“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” — Margaret Mead
United we stand Divided we fall....
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filbert
Random Dude
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Posts: 114
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« Reply #5 on: November 13, 2007, 06:14:14 PM » |
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You mean a coop, right?
A chicken coup would be quite a sight though!
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The opinions expressed in this post are solely those of the author.
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lesliek
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« Reply #6 on: November 13, 2007, 06:38:11 PM » |
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I personally think a chicken coup might be better than the current gov.  |
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"the world's most inept extortionist"
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kaffe
Guest
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« Reply #7 on: November 13, 2007, 06:54:29 PM » |
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Personally, I wash/rinse all meats and veggies prior to cooking - yeah, even pre-ground meat! Its just a habit I picked up when living in Asia. With pre-ground meat. I put the lot inside a spaghetti strainer and put it under a running faucet for a few secs and allow to drip. Mind you, it isn't becuase of the bacteria that I do this - it is more about rinsing off the stale blood... make it more "kosher" ya know. I know cooking will kill off any bacteria in the meats.
I also rinse all the fresh meats (chicken, turkey, beef, pork, and organs) that I use for cat food. I never buy pre-ground anything that will be used for cat food. I grind the meats fresh for them precisely becuase of the reasons Klondike has cited - bacteria is usually on the surface of the meats, and if you grind, you expose more meat surfaces into the air and potentially help bacteria grow. Before grinding or proccessing, I quick-sear the sides of the meats or steam them for 20 seconds - that is, if I am serving raw.
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straybaby
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« Reply #8 on: November 13, 2007, 11:00:17 PM » |
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"That's because companies that find E. coli are allowed to shift that meat immediately into "cook only" lines, without reporting it to the USDA." instead of shifting, shouldn't they be stopping the line, identifying the source and CLEANING the facility and then proceeding?! remember, we have beef for ground coming in from many countries, and i'm not sure what the status is on other imported beef. and then we have our own beef which is suspect. why shift the problem so it can grow?  ? i swear Big AG is going to drive me over THE EDGE!!!! *kisses my side of beef in freezer* |
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Suelovescats
Guest
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« Reply #9 on: November 14, 2007, 07:22:50 AM » |
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E. coli is everywhere? Regular intestinal E. coli maybe, but not E. coli 0157 H:7. That is the one that produces the Shiga toxin, which sickens and kills people every year. Every time I read about it I wonder, does heat destroy Shiga, or does it get carried along? And are our survivor pets more susceptible because their health has been compromised?
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shibadiva
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« Reply #10 on: November 14, 2007, 07:41:05 AM » |
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This fits in so well with the FDA point of view that companies should not only be able to do this stuff, but have their profits protected.
So is the USDA saying we can just eat S**t and like it?
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A small body of determined spirits fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission can alter the course of history.
~~ Gandhi
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shibadiva
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« Reply #11 on: November 14, 2007, 01:36:28 PM » |
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"Sandman said that not only does USDA need to get the public ready for a second case of mad cow..."
LOL! Maybe they could start by admitting that there's actually more than one out there...
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A small body of determined spirits fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission can alter the course of history.
~~ Gandhi
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Donna
Sr. Member
Posts: 241
It's PEACE, not war & greed, earthlings!
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« Reply #12 on: November 14, 2007, 01:49:42 PM » |
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And, unfortunately, ground beef is not really as fresh as consumers have been made to believe. I hate to be the bearer of this grotesque fact, but according to CNN and Cargill, the ground burger you are eating today, is actually around two years old. The only reason it has a nice "fresh" red color to it in the store refrigerator is because carbon monoxide was blown into it upon packaging.
Now, if that is not a scenario and a half, I don't know what is, but I would wager there are some beef eaters out there that feel they have been deceived, yet again.
More of a suggestion, than food for thought: Try grinding burger from sirloin, adding a little virgin oil, or buy Kobi beef from Japan. These cows produce extremely marbled and tender meat, as their day begins with a massage, followed by a frolic in the pasture. In order to encourage relaxed states and increase appetites, the cows are fed beer soaked fodder at times! In essence, they live the life of Riley, completely free from any stress that could be associated with mass production. Only thing, the meat is quite expensive.
Sincerely,
Donna
~ The dead cannot cry out for justice; it is a duty of the living to do so for them ~
Lois McMaster Bujold, 2002 Diplomatic Immunity, US Science Fiction Author
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Disclaimer: Opinions, thoughts & premises are my own, except links & quotes.
"Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it." Rumi
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catmom5
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« Reply #13 on: November 14, 2007, 01:53:47 PM » |
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Another reason I'm happy to be a vegetarian! |
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Donna
Sr. Member
Posts: 241
It's PEACE, not war & greed, earthlings!
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« Reply #14 on: November 14, 2007, 02:01:55 PM » |
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It is outrageous that I cannot choose to buy BSE tested beef. I consume some beef, but not with the same peace of mind I could have if I could choose beef that was optionally tested by the farmer. This is a violation of our rights as citizens!
By the end of the year K, you may not know if you are buying cloned beef, never mind BSE tested beef! Of course, the FDA's desire to not label the cloned product(s) is despite public comment, outrage and skepticism. So, if you want to take action on this one, do it NOW before it is too late, and get cloned food labeled! Support the Senate Bill to Label Food from Cloned Animals http://ga3.org/campaign/Cloning_SenateSincerely, Donna ~ The dead cannot cry out for justice; it is a duty of the living to do so for them ~ Lois McMaster Bujold, 2002 Diplomatic Immunity, US Science Fiction Author |
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Disclaimer: Opinions, thoughts & premises are my own, except links & quotes.
"Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it." Rumi
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