The news today of the largest beef recall in our nation’s history is yet another troubling reminder that we have done too little to protect our food supply. This incident also reveals a danger to our children, since the Hallmark company is the second largest supplier to the U.S. School Lunch program. I believe that American families should not have to worry about the safety of the food on their dinner tables or in their children’s school lunches. That is why I have long been calling for common-sense – and long-overdue – food safety reforms, building on my work in the Senate. As President, I will fully fund our food safety system so that our inspectors have the resources and manpower they need to do their jobs. I will create a single food safety to replace the patchwork of regulation we have now. I will implement an effective recall system so that potentially tainted food immediately comes off of grocery store shelves and families receive instant notification. I will strictly enforce safety rules and impose stiff criminal and civil penalties on violators. And I will crack down on the slaughter of sick or injured cows, a practice which poses health risks to families and children. Now more than ever, America needs a President who will deliver concrete reforms that fill the gaps in our food safety system.
Thought for the Day ….. Extra!
Although the Department of Agriculture has now recalled the tainted beef, an estimated 37 million pounds has gone to school lunch programs, and unfortunately, officials believe that most of the meat has already been consumed by schoolchildren. This incident demonstrates yet again the inadequacy of the food recall process. Far too often, tainted food is not recalled until too late.
When I am President, it will not be business as usual when it comes to food safety. I will provide additional resources to hire more federal food inspectors. I will also call on the Department of Agriculture to examine whether federal food safety laws need to be strengthened, in particular to provide greater protections against tainted food being used in the National School Lunch Program.
As the parent of two young daughters, there are few issues more important to me than ensuring the safety of the food that our children consume. I commend the Humane Society of the United States for bringing this important issue to the public attention and believe that the mistreatment of downed cows is unacceptable and poses a serious threat to public health.
Thought for the Day
A select body was in attendance from the Zoological Gardens, headed by a fine Bull; and at least thirty representatives of the Jardin des Plantes, with a Frog as spokesman, were discussing the Rights of Brutes and the theories of Proudhon. Several Ermine, of judicial aspect, and an Eagle or two, with drooping wings, came special from Moscow and Siberia. A party of Bears, with famished looks and a terrible flavor of garlic, were standing on their hind-legs and their dignity, as became deputies from Spain
The Animal Declaration of Independence Harper’s January 1857 [edited extract being part three in a series of 19]
USA and Meat Recall
Congratulations to The HSUS and their undercover investigation which is leading to the largest recall of ground beef in the history of the US.
Benn and Badgers
Congratulations to UK Environment Secretary Hilary Benn for standing up to the National Farmers Union about badgers!
Mr Benn said the call [for a badger cull to allegedly help prevent tuberculosis in dairy cows]would be made “on my watch”, based on the science, impact of proposed measures, the practicalities and its “public acceptability”.
To boos from the audience he said: “Many of you don’t think that’s a factor governments should take into account but I have to take it into account alongside the other three tests.”
Thought for the Day
On the evening fixed, the Monkey who served on the Committee, and who had had the advantage of an intimate acquaintance with Mr. Hobbs, picked all the locks of Barnum’s Museum, and led the imprisoned animals forth. A boat belonging to the Staten Island Ferry Company had been chartered by the Jackass (a relative, as it appeared, of one of the managers), and by midnight the whole party had crossed the water without other accident than a rencontre with a party of police-officers, who, on being assured by the Parrot that they were all Democratic voters, let them pass without comment.
The Animal Declaration of Independence Harper’s January 1857 [edited extract being part two in a series of 19]
