Marler Blog - Beef Products Inc., sues Iowa State University over the disclosure of Ammonia Beef documents - Comments

Ellen Maddux

marler@marlerclark.com (Food Poisoning Lawyer) — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 17:18:53 -0800

As a farmer of beef cattle and restaurant owner I am appalled that the USDA allows these practices of Beef Products Inc. to add ammonia to our beef and to serve it to our kids. Are we not more intelligent than that? It is okay if an adult wants to comnsume fast food with ammonia fillers, however many children are not forwarned when eating in the schhol cafeteria. I'm sure if they were they would choose something else. If dthe government got involved a lobbiest would not be far behind. Buy directly from the farmer and go to your farmers market after all you are what you eat.

tony engels

marler@marlerclark.com (Food Poisoning Lawyer) — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 17:18:53 -0800

You've got to be kidding me, this is supposed to stuff of urban legend. Who gets to decide what %of ammonia is ok? the unlucky lab rats? I hope Carls Jr doesn't use this stuff too, I trust them a bit more than McD's and BK

Allen Mozek, MPH

marler@marlerclark.com (Food Poisoning Lawyer) — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 17:18:53 -0800

The New York State Association for Food Protection is considering advocating the RIGHT TO KNOW regarding this ammoniated beef addition in ground beef distributed to the NYS Public School System.
The safety issue is apparently a weaker point (legally) of contention than the RIGHT TO KNOW. Can you join us as an advocate for RIGHT TO KNOW policy in New York State?
The adulteration laws have been turned on their heads with this USDA process approval. It is commonly held that adulterated foods, such as trimmings heretofore rendered or held for pet food only, can not be diluted or processed into human food. The trimmings, adulterated with pathogens, were considered adulterated and unfit for human consumption before this process was approved. The trimmings are de-characterized which are also a form of adulteration. This issue will dovetail into the loss of ethics in food safety and food productuion we are currently exploring. We invite all persons of similar mindset to join in support of the NYS Association for Food Protection by emailing us - check our website and direct your correspondence to me - I will invite you in our efforts.
Thanks,
Allen Mozek, MPH
allen.mozek@agriculture.ny.gov