Beware of Foodborne Diseases (Opinion)
by Hesh Goldstein, citizen journalist
See all articles by this author
(NaturalNews) Why should we be aware of food-borne diseases? Doesn`t the government adequately protect us through rigorous inspections? It would be nice if that were a reality but unfortunately it is not the case.
Federal health authorities have estimated that food-borne diseases sicken 76 million people, cause 350,000 hospitalizations, and kill 5,000 Americans every year (1). Studies have shown that the meat in the U.S. is loaded with harmful bacteria. The USDA, in 1966, after collecting ground beef samples from meat processing plants around the country, found that 7.5% of the samples were contaminated with Salmonella, 11.7% were contaminated with Listeria, 30% were contaminated with Staph, and 53.3% were contaminated with Clostridium.(2).
Why does this happen? One is the horrendously filthy conditions in which these defenseless, innocent creatures are raised, and two is the "Daytona 500" speed at which these innocent, living beings are killed.
This endless quest for speed is perpetuated only by the desire to maximize profits, resulting in meatpacking plants slaughtering about 400 cattle an hour as compared to 175 twenty years ago (3).
To keep this dead, rotting flesh safe for consumption, effort must be made to keep the "doo doo" that spills out of the intestines from contaminating the tables, tools and the meat itself. Good luck! But, because of the speed at which these production lines move, it is virtually impossible to prevent this contamination. So, we wind up with bacteria contaminated meat causing food-borne illnesses.
Because of this horror designed to generate profits there are always periodic outbreaks of food-borne illnesses and ultimately, recalls. In 2002, Con Agra recalled 19 million pounds from its Greeley, Colorado plant after E.coli killed a woman and 35 others got sick. Unfortunately, 80% of this contaminated flesh had been consumed before the recall, salvaging much of the profits (4). Guess which is the worst for E.coli? Hamburger anyone? (5)
But wait, there`s more. In 2008, the USDA recalled the biggest meat recall ever: 143 million pounds! The bad news was, that again, most of it was consumed by the time the recall was initiated, not disturbing the company`s profits. This finally got the attention of our government; the head of the Senate Agricultural Committee thought it would be good to tighten the laws regarding slaughterhouses. (6) Duh!
And so it goes: profits first, health second, and "Obamacare" to the rescue. Heaven help us!
How then does one escape falling within the confines of this disease-ridden, compassion-less reality?
Adopt a vegan diet, free from flesh, milk products and eggs. Not only will it provide you with good health by providing high fiber, artery cleansing, and the lowering of bad cholesterol and blood pressure, but it will soften your heart as well. If you can`t go home and eat your dog how can you go home and eat another defenseless, horribly abused animal?
Aloha!
Sources:
1 Mead, Paul S. et al. "Food Related Illnesses and Death in the United States" CDC 1999.
2 Schlosser, Eric. "Fast Food Nation". p197
3 Ibid, p173
4 Scherer, Michael. "Meatpacking Maverick" Mother Jones, Nov/Dec 2003.
5 Centers For Deceit Control and Procratination, "Disease Listing, E. coli O157:H7-CDC, 2006.
6 Food Safety and Inspection Service. "FSIS Food Recall Fact Sheet." USDA. March 22, 2006.
7 Brown, David. "USDA Orders Largest Meat Recall in U.S. History". The Washington Post. February 18, 2008.
About the author
Hesh Goldstein: Vegetarian since 1975, vegan since 1990. Moderator of a weekly radio show in Honolulu called, "Health Talk" since 1981. Obtained a Master's degree in Nutrition, in 2007, to silence the so-called "doctors" that called in on my weekly radio show asking for my "credentials". At 70, I am in perfect health, have no illnesses, take no meds, play 4 on 4 half court hoops 2 hours a week, body surf, race walk, do various cardio and weight exercises and teach women's self defense classes based upon 30 years of Wing Chun training .
To obtain a state of good health, if it had a face or a mother or if man made it, don't eat it.
For more information: www.healthtalkhawaii.com
Hesh is also the distributor of Organic Sulfur Crystals, an incredible healing nutrient. For more information on this go to his website and click on Products.
