A new piece by Salon
reveals the increasingly common mislabeling of meat products:
reveals the increasingly common mislabeling of meat products:
Pork is swapped for beef, beef is
swapped for buffalo, fat trimmings and offal (internal organs) are added to
minced beef, chicken is sold as lamb, pork is sold as chicken, and beef and
pork gristle and bones are injected into chicken.
Substitutions are most prevalent in processed meat products
like sausages and chicken nuggets; however, other meat products are also
altered to increase profits.
like sausages and chicken nuggets; however, other meat products are also
altered to increase profits.
Cheaper meats are added to more expensive cuts, and meats
sometimes even completely replace other meats. According to the article, in at
least one instance, whole cuts of pork were made to look like beef:
sometimes even completely replace other meats. According to the article, in at
least one instance, whole cuts of pork were made to look like beef:
The pork is mixed with beef extract
and a glazing agent and left to sit for ninety minutes. When cooked, the meat
takes on a dark beef-like appearance rather than the characteristic white pork
color. The beef extracts even give it the beefy aroma one would expect. Though
it may be more difficult to swindle people over whole cuts of meat, this shows
it’s not impossible.
But deceptive meat producers are nothing new.
Nearly everyone remembers the nationwide outrage over the
widespread use of “pink slime.” This vomit-worthy
product is created by treating beef scraps and cow connective
tissue with ammonium hydroxide to kill off E. coli and other dangerous
pathogens that may be present.
widespread use of “pink slime.” This vomit-worthy
product is created by treating beef scraps and cow connective
tissue with ammonium hydroxide to kill off E. coli and other dangerous
pathogens that may be present.
Highly publicized in 2012, the use of pink slime resulted in
serious consumer backlash for the beef industry after an ABC
News report revealed that 70 percent of the ground beef at U.S.
supermarkets contained the additive.
serious consumer backlash for the beef industry after an ABC
News report revealed that 70 percent of the ground beef at U.S.
supermarkets contained the additive.
And let’s not forget the horse
meat scandal that rocked parts of Europe a few years ago. When trace
amounts of horse meat were found in ground beef used for hamburger, the outcry
resulted in the recall of 10 million pounds of meat.
meat scandal that rocked parts of Europe a few years ago. When trace
amounts of horse meat were found in ground beef used for hamburger, the outcry
resulted in the recall of 10 million pounds of meat.
The idea of eating horse meat provoked an intense emotional
response from many people. The truth remains, however, that all animals suffer in
the same way when violently slaughtered.
response from many people. The truth remains, however, that all animals suffer in
the same way when violently slaughtered.
Luckily, compassionate people can withdraw their support
from this cruel and misleading industry by leaving meat and other animal
products off the menu.
from this cruel and misleading industry by leaving meat and other animal
products off the menu.
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