Marler Blog - Cargill, getting reacquainted with the Enemy - Comments http://www.marlerblog.com/ Food Poisoning Lawyer & Attorney : Bill Marler : Marler Clark en Copyright 2012 Wed, 16 May 2012 05:21:48 -0800 Wed, 16 May 2012 05:21:48 -0800 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/?v=4.32-en http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Russell N. Stein Hi Bill,

It has been a while since we've corresponded. During this time a lot has happened on the food borne illness/recall front, and from my perspective you are too busy. The amazing part is that I have not been busy enough! Evidently, the food industry, and more specifically the meat industry, has chosen to promote your services over ours. I guess you guys have better marketing talents?

The latest Cargill recall is specifically interesting because of Wegman's. Wegman's sells non-irradiated ground meat and irradiated ground meat, both from Cargill. This is the first time, to my knowledge, where one batch of meat was recalled and its sister batch was not, due to preventative processing--ÔΩ¶irradiation. This probably brings up some interesting litigation issues--but that's your business--not mine.

Congress does not kill bacteria. Testing does not kill bacteria. Inspection does not kill bacteria. A Super Food Agency cannot kill bacteria. Even litigation does not kill bacteria. Irradiation kills bacteria, and yet is at the very bottom of the list.

An incontrovertible fact: If the products that all of your clients ate had been irradiated, they would not have become sick. No recalls, no loss of brand names, no loss of sales, no loss of consumer confidence, and no expensive litigation. The industry is missing a sure bet. A few companies, (too few), such as Omaha Steaks, will not sell ground beef unless it has been irradiated.

I believe that the food industry is trying to sell food borne illness as the Status Quo. What I fear is that they may be succeeding. It won't be long before a new television channel is added to the line up--ÔΩ¶the "Total Recall Channel!"

Yes, I am frustrated as an irradiator manufacturer that irradiation is not being employed. But, I am more frustrated that people suffer and die when they do not have to, especially when there is an existing and practical solution. And, I am also frustrated that I have to drive an hour to my nearest Wegman's to buy irradiated ground beef--ÔΩ¶the only ground beef that I allow in my house.

Back to the subject of marketing, perhaps the slogan that would work for both of us is:

"Irradiate or Litigate"

Hoping that you have more time for vacation in the near future,
Russell

Russell N. Stein
Vice President
GRAY*STAR, Inc.
www.GrayStarInc.com

]]> http://www.marlerblog.com/case-news/cargill-getting-reacquainted-with-the-enemy/#7648 http://www.marlerblog.com/case-news/cargill-getting-reacquainted-with-the-enemy/#7648 Case News Sun, 04 Nov 2007 17:43:09 -0800 marler@marlerclark.com (E. coli Lawyer) ExPat Chef How about if they just fed the cows what cows are supposed to eat and raise them on pasture in a humane way? Both of you would be looking for work.

In the meantime, put the screws to 'em, cause the USDA won't do it.

]]> http://www.marlerblog.com/case-news/cargill-getting-reacquainted-with-the-enemy/#7649 http://www.marlerblog.com/case-news/cargill-getting-reacquainted-with-the-enemy/#7649 Case News Sun, 04 Nov 2007 17:43:09 -0800 marler@marlerclark.com (E. coli Lawyer)