Here is another reason that I'm happy I grow my own lamb, chicken, rabbit,
and pork. I use information like this as part of my pitch to potential
customers who have never considered buying meat directly from farmers and
who think shrink-wrapping and Styrofoam trays are part of an animal's
genetic code.
______________________________________________________________________
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- About 60 percent of the largest U.S. meat plants
failed to meet federal food safety regulations for preventing the E. coli
bacteria in their products, the U.S. Agriculture Department said Tuesday.
In September, the department ordered all U.S. beef slaughter and grinding
plants to reexamine their food safety systems after inspectors discovered
E. coli was more prevalent in meat than previously thought.
A preliminary review of these reassessments found 60 percent of 35 large
meat plants not meeting federal food safety regulations.
"They were scientific and design issues and not direct food safety issues,"
said Garry McKee, administrator for the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection
Service. the USDA said many plants could not verify that their food safety
systems were adequate.
E. coli O157:H7, typically acquired through contaminated food or water,
causes bloody diarrhea, vomiting and cramps. In some cases, usually
involving elderly or young children, it can lead to kidney failure and death.
For the full article, go to
http://www.cnn.com/2003/HEALTH/02/04/food.safety.reut/index.html
Carol Elkins
Critterhaven Estate
Registered Barbados Blackbelly Hair Sheep
(no shear, no dock, no fuss)
Pueblo, Colorado
http://www.critterhaven.biz
NEW! T-shirts, mugs, mousepads, and more at the
Blackbelly Online Store http://www.cafeshops.com/cp/store.aspx?s=blackbellysheep
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