Egg company knew of bacteria in 2008

WASHINGTON, Sept. 15 (UPI) -- A U.S. egg producer linked to an outbreak of salmonella knew of the possible presence of the bacteria in its hen houses as far back as 2008, records show.

Documents released Tuesday by congressional investigators show there were 73 instances over about two years in which tests in Wright County Egg's barns in Iowa showed the presence of salmonella bacteria, including the strain that infects eggs and causes human illness, The New York Times reported.

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I strongly believe that this incident warrants criminal charges to be filed. The people who ran this egg producer are lucky that nobody died. Otherwise, I would be calling for homicide charges on their "bottom line profit margin" asses. There is absolutely no excuses for what happened, and this crap has been going on for 10 years at this egg factory alone. Not only that, but the USDA, which is charged with keeping our food safe, knew about the problems there and only gave out token violations, which the company proceeded to pretty much ignore.

Something needs to be done, the penalties need to be as harsh as the law allows, and the USDA inspectors who didn't do their jobs need to be summarily fired.

One more thing - This is a perfect example of why I am not completely against government regulation.

Article is here.

When it comes to factory farming, all of it is a crime to me.

Privately owned farms are always going to be better for the public because the farners future is based a lot on stable quality control where as with Corporate farms they are controlled by comity and a bad report is seldom ever fatal to the businesses future because they just write it off.

Privately owned farms don't have the kind of financial depth to hold up from a mistake let alone one that is overlooked in the name of profit.

I agree those who knowingly endanger the public need to spend some serious time in the lock up.

Councilman said:

Privately owned farms are always going to be better for the public because the farners future is based a lot on stable quality control where as with Corporate farms they are controlled by comity and a bad report is seldom ever fatal to the businesses future because they just write it off.

Privately owned farms don't have the kind of financial depth to hold up from a mistake let alone one that is overlooked in the name of profit.

I agree those who knowingly endanger the public need to spend some serious time in the lock up.

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Factory farms do produce an inferior product, though. You can prove this yourself:

1) Buy a dozen factory eggs from the supermarket.

2) Buy a dozen eggs from a privately owned farm.

3) Now break open a couple of eggs from each batch, and look.

You will notice that the yolks from the factory eggs are very pale, compared to the eggs from the private farm. This is because there are far less nutrients in the factory eggs. I always say that, if you are going to eat something, don't settle for crap. Get something that is actually good for you, and that certainly isn't the factory eggs.

danarhea said:

Factory farms do produce an inferior product, though. You can prove this yourself:

1) Buy a dozen factory eggs from the supermarket.

2) Buy a dozen eggs from a privately owned farm.

3) Now break open a couple of eggs from each batch, and look.

You will notice that the yolks from the factory eggs are very pale, compared to the eggs from the private farm. This is because there are far less nutrients in the factory eggs. I always say that, if you are going to eat something, don't settle for crap. Get something that is actually good for you, and that certainly isn't the factory eggs.

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My wife makes the same argument to me, and she adds Chicken and Pork as well. We buy straight from a local farmer. More expensive, but better.