US Bison Meat Recall 2010: 66,000 Pounds Infected with E Coli

Thousands upon thousands of pounds of bison meat are to be recalled by a Colorado meat company over concerns that the product is contaminated by a deadly strain of E. coli, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) on Friday.

Approximately 66,000 pounds of ground and tenderized bison meat are to be recalled by Rocky Mountain Natural Meats of Henderson, Colorado.

E. coli O157:H7 is a particularly deadly form of the bacteria and FSIS said that there was a “cluster” of people suffering from the illness in Colorado.

Thus far, five people in Colorado and one person in New York have been diagnosed as falling ill due to the bacteria between June 4 and June 9. E. coli O157:H7 can be potentially deadly, causing bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and in severe cases, kidney failure, the FSIS said.

The meat products were produced between May 21 and May 27, and were distributed throughout the country to various distributors and stores.

The FSIS said that the "sell by" dates for the products, all with the establishment number EST. 20247, have passed, but consumers may have frozen the meat.

All bison products should be cooked at a temperature of at least 160 degrees F, FSIS said.

The retail distribution list for this batch of b ison meat can be accessed at the website: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/FSIS_Recalls/Open_Federal_Cases/index.asp.

The products include:

- 16-ounce packages of Great Range Brand All Natural Bison. These products have a sell or freeze by date of June 21, June 22 or June 24, 2010.

- 16-ounce packages of Nature's Rancher Ground Buffalo. These products have a sell or freeze by date of June 22, 2010.

- 16-ounce packages of The Buffalo Guys All Natural Ground Buffalo 90% Lean. These products have a lot number of 0147.

- 12-ounce packages of Great Range Brand All Natural Bison Steak Medallions. These products have a sell or freeze by date of June 23 and June 24, 2010.

- 12-ounce packages of Great Range Brand All Natural Bison Sirloin Steaks. These products have a sell or freeze by date of June 20, June 23 and June 24, 2010.

- 15-pound boxes of Rocky Mountain Natural Arts, Inc. Bison 10 Oz. Sirloin Steak. These products went to restaurants and bear a Julian Code of 0141.

RESPONSE 3 "MY PROJECT BENEFIT OF GM FOODS"

My project is about the benefits of genetically modified foods (GM). I would like to start this by keeping in mind, Earth population is growing day by day, its not lessening, and the food chain cycle has its own specific time of growing back. Soon this specific time era won’t be enough to feed all the human kind, so its must to find a solution about it and the solution is genetically engineered food. To prove my fact of its help I would give an example of china because China has 20% of the world's population

China largest Gm producer:

China is considered a potential market for GM food for several reasons. First, China currently has almost 1.3 billion people and is likely to exceed 1.4 billion by 2050 (Population Reference Bureau, 2002). China recognizes that if it is going to continue to feed its people, it must find more efficient agricultural production methods. To this end, China is spending close to $120 million each year on biotech research and growing rice, potatoes, cotton, wheat and many others fruits and vegetables. In fact, China is the fourth largest producer of GM crops in the world after the US, Canada, and Argentina, and has approved more than a dozen genetically modified crops for development

Some food plants genetically engineered:

Apples that resist insect attack, Bananas free of viruses and worm parasites, Coffee with lower caffeine content, Cabbage that resists caterpillar attacks, Melons that have a longer shelf life, Sunflowers that produce oil with lower saturated fat

      GM crops claims many advantages :

      Improved storage and nutritional quality, Pest and disease resistance, Selective herbicide tolerance, Tolerance of water, temperature and saline extremes, improved animal welfare, higher yields and quality.

Solution to some problems:  

A recent report from the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that nearly 14 million people, including 2.3 million children under the age of 5, are at risk of starvation. Without effective action the WHO says at least 300,000 could die from hunger and disease in the next six months. As we know due to Africa’s climatic condition crops have least chance of survival if not properly taken care of, therefore genetically modified crops can be a solution of quick reproduction in less time effort and providing the food need of the country. Not only has that Africa suffered 500,000 blindness each year due to vitamin A deficiency and 70% amongst them are children dying in young age .GM food such as “golden rice “is enriched with vitamin A which can be a good help in decreasing the blindness ratio. In our regular life people do have food allergies too so if foods that are modified can proven as help it can’t be said it’s totally bad. Even natures natural got it effects also. Example of milk is the best of daily use not all people can drink milk so it’s modified to lactose free now which is considered a benefit of GM food. In the end I would like to say that it depends how we think about it, but if GM food can do some benefit to mankind and there are some solution through it we should accept them nor being ignorant whether its temporary solution or not.

Problem-Posing Assignment"The decade of the child consumer"

"The decade of the child consumer" selling food to the youth in other words "Cradle to Grave" advertising strategy amongst the children was a good way of marketing  MacDonald by Ray Kroc. This strategy proved to be profitable for the company, and making mankind to fall for "Brand Loyalty." But on the consequence what humanity is suffering is now is worse death rate before age, high ratio of obesity are the least things to begin with. The idea to make profit for your own sake to others loss it's ethically wrong to begin with. It's not wise to play with weak minds and that's what this fast food chain started with. They planted a seed in kids mind, which weren't even develop. These marketing strategies are needed to be changed. Rather then deception they should be clear with everything. They should not only show calorie board on the store but on the television advertisement too, rather then showing all "natural" it has to be stated clear"processed", because no food served is natural anymore it's been going through different process of mixing with chemicals. Hope so little steps like these would create alertness in making difference for upcoming generation.