Week 2 - Top News

Largest Beef Recall Ever!

According to MSNBC, the U.S. Department of Agriculture recalled 143 million pounds of frozen beef today from Chino, California Westland/Hallmark Meat Company. The recall is based on evidence found by Ed Schafer, the Secretary of Agriculture, which proves the animals were routinely not given proper veterinary care when needed. "Because the cattle did not receive complete and proper inspection, Food Safety and Inspection Service has determined them to be unfit for human food," says Mr. Schafer.

Perhaps one of the most disturbing facts of this story is that 37 million pounds of this recalled beef has already been distributed to schools and is believed to have been consumed. And yet, the recall is for food from Feb 1, 2006. Way to go. Recall all the food after it has been eaten.

This is an incredible story. When I was reading about the horrible things being done to the animals, I couldn't help but picture a man with a white beard, a large top hat, and a huge monocle on one eye. Every part of this story screams wealthy tyrant. I would have to agree with Sen. Tom Harkin, and his question, "This begs the question: how much longer will we continue to test our luck with weak enforcement of federal food safety regulations?" I wish I knew the answer, but I threw out all of my meat in the fridge. How should I know where it came from? There isn't much truth to labels these days, just deception.

To the USDA, U.S. Government, or anyone who has power in the food industry. If there is any chance of a food product being tainted, recall it. Don't wait for preliminary investigations when there are lives at stake. Makes you wish everyone had Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. The world would be a much better/worse place.

Link found here: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23212514/

The news values associated with this story are impact, prominence, timeliness, proximity, and currency.

Even if only one person bought a pound of beef each, this recall has the potential to affect a minimum of 143 million people. And since the factory was California based, it's safe to assume that whether you shop at Safeway, eat Jack in the Box, or In-N-Out is more your cup of tea, you have consumed some of this recalled meat. Scary thought isn't it?