Chapter 9: What's In The Meat

1. What are the effects of E. coli 0157:H7 on the human body?

E. coli 0157:H7 can relase a powerful toxin called a "verotoxin" or a "Shiga toxin". This toxin attacks the lining of the intestine. Some people infected don't become ill but others can suffer mild diarrhea. In most cases, severe abdominal cramps are followed by watery, then bloody, diarrhea that subsides within a week or so. Sometimes diarrhea is accompanied by vomiting and low-grade fever.

2. What are some of the ways people can be infected with E. coli 0157:H7?

The most common way of getting infected is by eating undercooked ground beef but you can also get it by swimming in contaminated waters. E. coli 0157:H7 outbreaks have been caused by contaminated by bean sprouts, ssalad greens, cantalouope, salami, raw milk, and unpasteurixed apple cider.

3. What was the Streamlined Inspection System launched by the USDA?

The Streamlined Inspection System program was designed to reduce the presence of federal inspectors in the nation's slaughterhoused, allowing company employees to assume most of the food asfety tasks.

4. What kind of meat is selected for consumption in public schools?

During the 1980's and the 1990's, the USDA chose meat suppliers for public school consumption based on the lowest prices available, without imposing additional food safety requirements. The author states that "The cheapest ground beef was not only the most likely to be contaminated with pathogens, but also the most likely to contain pieces of spinal cord, bone, and gristle left behing by Automated Meat Recovery Systems."
Although i do understand why the USDA would want to purchase the cheapest meat available i think that's not the best decision to be feeding to our youth. Even if healthy meat costs more at least we know we'd be eating meat without spinal cords, bones, and gristle.