Bad meat distribution lists kept hidden

[ecoalex]

www.meatfyi.com

Bad meat distribution lists kept hidden

Mon Sep 6, 1:59 AM ET

KGTV TheSanDiegoChannel.com



If bad meat or poultry get in the food chain, California consumers know
about it right away, or do they?



A secret deal prevents consumers from finding out where bad meat or poultry
is sold, according to 10News.



According to the Consumers Union, "California consumers have no way of
knowing because state health officers are prohibited from revealing which
retailers are selling the meat."



"I think their concern is that if the retail lists are given out, then
consumers will automatically will not purchase all meat from a particular
restaurant or store," Consumers Union spokeswoman Elisa Odabashian said.



So how did this happen? A deal was laid out in a 2002 memo between the
California Department of Health Services and the U.S. Department of
Agriculture (news - web sites). The state "agrees not to disclose
distribution lists."



That's the only way the USDA would give the state information on recalls,
according to 10News.



Are they playing hardball with our health? Consumers Union thinks so.



"It's just simply wrong for our government to be hiding this crucial health
and safety information from consumers," Odabashian said.



Shoppers say when a meat recall is announced, they should know where the bad
beef or poultry is being sold.



"I think it would be a very good idea to know where it's being distributed
because otherwise, you wouldn't know," consumer Reid Carroll said.



"It would be nice to know who's selling quality beef and who isn't,"
consumer Jae Cha said.



Consumers Union is urging Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (news - web sites) to
sign legislation requiring public notification when specific stores in
California have received contaminated meat or poultry.



Whether or not the governor signs Senate Bill 1585, health experts advise
consumers to be very careful handling and cooking meat and poultry.