Getting mad about Mad Cow
Disease.
Caveat Emptor! ("Let the buyer beware")
January 7, 2004
Mad Cow Disease is a serious problem as we
have all read about in recent weeks. One of
our greatest concerns over the last decade
is whether this problem would come to "The
States". It had seemed that here at home
we would be immune and it only effected other
countries.
Unfortunately we have failed to see the bigger
picture. In this larger view we should be asking
what is it about modern farming and feeding
of livestock that predisposes cows and possibly
other animal and food sources to disease?
It is becoming clearer as time goes on that we need to take a hard critical
look at the food we buy as consumers and make available to our families
and communities. We cannot and must not trust the government and our
agricultural institutions and corporations to provide us with safe food.
This has now, more than ever, become our own responsibility. Much of
the food we find in our common grocery stores and supermarkets are suspect
and we need to become educated about what we buy and consume.
Bringing these issues back to the meat industry,
it has become paramount that we consider only
eating organic style beef, poultry and animal
products. It is simply the only safe alternative.
Our community food suppliers are more aware
of these issues and organic and free-range
products are now more available.
The more we verbalize our preferences to the
groceries and supermarkets where we shop, the
more they will meet our needs. Stores will
reflect what consumers buy and demand. We need
not purchase and consume products with hormones,
antibiotics, food colorings, preservatives
and possible disease.
The less we purchase these unsafe products,
the less the stores will buy them from wholesalers.
Let's remember, these changes start with us.
Local alternatives are available in co-ops
and stores throughout our region. Feel free
to call our office to
inquire about where to purchase organic, free
range and pasture fed meats. We can no longer
wait for these problems to resolve on their
own. Mad Cow Disease is a symptom of a bigger
problem we can resolve. "Let the Buyer
Beware".
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