Part 11 (1/2)

269 it continues to use them overseas: it continues to use them overseas: See ”An Incoherent Policy,” See ”An Incoherent Policy,” South China Morning Post South China Morning Post, May 15, 1995; Jo Bowman, ”Little Relish to Sc.r.a.p Burger Boxes,” South China Morning Post South China Morning Post, October 24, 1999.

it would no longer purchase frozen french fries: For McDonald's decision on biotech fries, see Scott Kilman, ”McDonald's, Other Fast Food Chains Pull Monsanto's Bio-Engineered Potato,” For McDonald's decision on biotech fries, see Scott Kilman, ”McDonald's, Other Fast Food Chains Pull Monsanto's Bio-Engineered Potato,” Wall Street Journal Wall Street Journal, April 28, 2000; Hal Bernton, ”Hostile Market Spells Blight for Biotech Potatoes,” Seattle Times Seattle Times, April 30, 2000.

Afterword: The Meaning of Mad Cow Since writing Fast Food Nation Fast Food Nation I've come across a number of relevant and noteworthy books. Almost twenty years ago Orville Sch.e.l.l issued an eloquent warning against treating livestock like industrial commodities. Sch.e.l.l approached the subject not only as a journalist, but as an innovative rancher. Had the recommendations in his book I've come across a number of relevant and noteworthy books. Almost twenty years ago Orville Sch.e.l.l issued an eloquent warning against treating livestock like industrial commodities. Sch.e.l.l approached the subject not only as a journalist, but as an innovative rancher. Had the recommendations in his book Modern Meat Modern Meat (New York: Random House, 1984) been followed, the American meatpacking industry would have avoided many of the health scares and export restrictions it now faces. In (New York: Random House, 1984) been followed, the American meatpacking industry would have avoided many of the health scares and export restrictions it now faces. In The Great Food Gamble The Great Food Gamble (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 2001), John Humphrys explains the mentality and the inst.i.tutional changes that have led Great Britain from one agricultural distaster to another. George Monbiot's (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 2001), John Humphrys explains the mentality and the inst.i.tutional changes that have led Great Britain from one agricultural distaster to another. George Monbiot's Captive State Captive State (London: Macmillan, 2000) brilliantly outlines the corporate takeover of the British government during the past twenty years. Naomi Klein's (London: Macmillan, 2000) brilliantly outlines the corporate takeover of the British government during the past twenty years. Naomi Klein's No Logo No Logo (London: Flamingo, 2001) offers a d.a.m.ning critique of global corporate power and the reigning cult of the brand. Klein has rightly emerged at the forefront of today's young rebels. Tony Royle's (London: Flamingo, 2001) offers a d.a.m.ning critique of global corporate power and the reigning cult of the brand. Klein has rightly emerged at the forefront of today's young rebels. Tony Royle's Working for McDonald's in Europe Working for McDonald's in Europe (New York: Routledge, 2000) skillfully outlines how McDonald's has exported its anti-labor policies to countries with long traditions of respecting workers' rights. Among other things, Royle describes how the McDonald's Corporation recruited low-wage workers in Bulgaria and Romania for its restaurants in Germany, providing these new immigrants with housing as a means of controlling them (see (New York: Routledge, 2000) skillfully outlines how McDonald's has exported its anti-labor policies to countries with long traditions of respecting workers' rights. Among other things, Royle describes how the McDonald's Corporation recruited low-wage workers in Bulgaria and Romania for its restaurants in Germany, providing these new immigrants with housing as a means of controlling them (see pp. 768 pp. 768). Jose Bove, the sheep farmer who became a national hero in France by demolis.h.i.+ng a McDonald's restaurant, offers a plea for sustainable agriculture in The World is Not for Sale: Farmers Against Junk Food The World is Not for Sale: Farmers Against Junk Food (London: Verso, 2001). Written with Francois Dufour, the General Secretary of the French Farmers' Confederation, (London: Verso, 2001). Written with Francois Dufour, the General Secretary of the French Farmers' Confederation, The World is Not for Sale The World is Not for Sale argues that important decisions about what we eat should never be made without considering their social costs and their impact on future generations. The most radical thing about Bove's argument is how sensible it seems. argues that important decisions about what we eat should never be made without considering their social costs and their impact on future generations. The most radical thing about Bove's argument is how sensible it seems.

Two alarming books have been published about the risk of mad cow disease in the United States. Richard Rhodes's Deadly Feasts: The Prion Controversy and The Public's Health Deadly Feasts: The Prion Controversy and The Public's Health (New York: Touchstone, 1998) contains fascinating information on the health risks posed by cannibalism and a fine account of the detective work that linked BSE to the consumption of tainted animal feed. In (New York: Touchstone, 1998) contains fascinating information on the health risks posed by cannibalism and a fine account of the detective work that linked BSE to the consumption of tainted animal feed. In Mad Cow U.S.A. Mad Cow U.S.A. (New York: Common Courage, 1997), Sheldon Rampton and John C. Stauber reveal how the beef industry and the federal government collaborated to thwart public discussion of mad cow. The duo's efforts at the Center for Media and Democracy offer a necessary antidote to the P.R. industry's relentless propaganda. As of this writing, the most definitive and disturbing investigation of mad cow disease is the sixteen-volume report on BSE submitted to the British government by Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers. Its official t.i.tle is (New York: Common Courage, 1997), Sheldon Rampton and John C. Stauber reveal how the beef industry and the federal government collaborated to thwart public discussion of mad cow. The duo's efforts at the Center for Media and Democracy offer a necessary antidote to the P.R. industry's relentless propaganda. As of this writing, the most definitive and disturbing investigation of mad cow disease is the sixteen-volume report on BSE submitted to the British government by Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers. Its official t.i.tle is Return to an Order of the Honourable the House of Commons dated October 2000 for the Report, evidence and supporting papers of the Inquiry into the emergence and identification of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) and variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD) and the action taken in response to it up to 20 March 1996 Return to an Order of the Honourable the House of Commons dated October 2000 for the Report, evidence and supporting papers of the Inquiry into the emergence and identification of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) and variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD) and the action taken in response to it up to 20 March 1996. Its full text is available online (petence.

In addition to those works, my account of mad cow disease and the FDA rulemaking process is based on the following doc.u.ments: ”Finding of No Significant Impact and Environmental a.s.sessment for 21 CFR 589.2000, Prohibition of Protein Derived from Ruminant and Mink Tissues in Ruminant Feeds,” Center for Veterinary Medicine, Food and Drug Adminstration, November 1996; ”Substances Prohibited for Use in Animal Food or Feed; Animal Proteins Prohibited in Ruminant Feed; Proposed Rule,” Part IV, Federal Register Federal Register, January 3, 1997; ”Cost a.n.a.lysis of Regulatory Options to Reduce the Risk of an Outbreak of Transmissable Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs) in the United States, Addendum to the Final Report,” Office of Planning and Evaluation, Food and Drug Administration, April 30, 1997; ”Substances Prohibited from Use in Animal Food or Feed; Animal Proteins Prohibited in Ruminant Feed; Final Rule,” Part II, Federal Register Federal Register, June 5, 1997. I also relied on transcripts of two public forums held by the FDA to allow discussion of its proposed feed rules: ”Food and Drug Administration, Public Forum on the Proposed Rule 21 CFR 589: Substances Prohibited from Use in Animal Food or Feed, St. Louis, Missouri, February 4, 1997” and ”Public Meeting for Consumers Regarding Federal Register Federal Register 21 CFR Part 589, Substances Prohibited from Use in Animal Food or Feed; Animal Proteins Prohibited in Ruminant Feed; Proposed Rule; Was.h.i.+ngton D.C., February 13, 1997.” For years the reporting about mad cow disease in 21 CFR Part 589, Substances Prohibited from Use in Animal Food or Feed; Animal Proteins Prohibited in Ruminant Feed; Proposed Rule; Was.h.i.+ngton D.C., February 13, 1997.” For years the reporting about mad cow disease in Food Chemical News Food Chemical News has been objective and first-rate. has been objective and first-rate.

Interviews with software designer Hitesh Shah, journalist Viji Sundaram, and attorney Harish Bharti helped me understand how revelations about McDonald's fries and the flavor industry led to riots in India. I am grateful to Eugene Richards for pus.h.i.+ng hard to complete our photoessay on the lives of meatpacking workers, and to Roger Cohn, the editor of Mother Jones Mother Jones, for publis.h.i.+ng it without hesitation. The plight of Latino meatpacking workers in Texas was eloquently described to me by Trini Gamez at the Centro Gamez in Amarillo and by Michael Wyatt, the director of Texas Rural Legal a.s.sistance. Attorneys Jim Wood, Channy Wood, and Kevin Glasheen explicated for me some of the unique features of Texas workers' comp law. They have demonstrated real courage in their legal battles with the meatpacking giants. Karen Olsson, editor of the Texas Observer Texas Observer, was extremely generous with her own research on IBP. Michael J. Broadway, an expert on meatpacking who heads the Department of Geography at the University of Michigan, provided much information and encouragement. Most of all, I am grateful to the injured meatpacking workers who shared their stories with me: Kenny Dobbins, Hector Reyes, Raul Lopez, Rita Beltran, Dora Sanchez, and Michael Glover, among others. Their suffering cannot adequately be put into words.

Page 272 the agency would ”expedite”: the agency would ”expedite”: Quoted in Lawrence K. Altman, ”Cow Disease Sparks Voluntary Rules on Feed,” Quoted in Lawrence K. Altman, ”Cow Disease Sparks Voluntary Rules on Feed,” New York Times New York Times, March 30, 1996.

”keen consumers of beef burgers”: Quoted in Claire O'Brien, ”Scant Data Cause Widespread Concern,” Quoted in Claire O'Brien, ”Scant Data Cause Widespread Concern,” Science Science, March 29, 1996.American cattle were eating about 2 billion pounds: According to the USDA, the rendering industry at the time handled about 7.6 million tons of ruminant protein per year, about 5.5 million tons of it derived from cattle. Approximately 13 percent of the animal protein handled by industry (992,099 tons) was used in cattle feed. I have converted the tons into pounds to give a sense of the ma.s.sive amounts of slaughterhouse waste involved. The figures are cited in ”Finding of No Significant Impact and Environmental a.s.sessment for 21 CFR 589.2000, Prohibition of Protein Derived from Ruminant and Mink Tissues in Ruminant Feeds,” Center for Veterinary Medicine, Food and Drug Administration, November 1996, pp. 1516, 21. According to the USDA, the rendering industry at the time handled about 7.6 million tons of ruminant protein per year, about 5.5 million tons of it derived from cattle. Approximately 13 percent of the animal protein handled by industry (992,099 tons) was used in cattle feed. I have converted the tons into pounds to give a sense of the ma.s.sive amounts of slaughterhouse waste involved. The figures are cited in ”Finding of No Significant Impact and Environmental a.s.sessment for 21 CFR 589.2000, Prohibition of Protein Derived from Ruminant and Mink Tissues in Ruminant Feeds,” Center for Veterinary Medicine, Food and Drug Administration, November 1996, pp. 1516, 21.three-quarters of all American cattle: Cited in Michael Satch.e.l.l and Stephen J. Hedges, ”The Next Bad Beef Scandal? Cattle Feed Now Contains Things Like Chicken Manure and Dead Cats,” Cited in Michael Satch.e.l.l and Stephen J. Hedges, ”The Next Bad Beef Scandal? Cattle Feed Now Contains Things Like Chicken Manure and Dead Cats,” U.S. News & World Report U.S. News & World Report, September 1, 1997.

273 ”totally unsupported by any scientific evidence”: ”totally unsupported by any scientific evidence”: Quoted in ”Rendering Industry Supports Voluntary Guidelines for Cattle with Suspected CNS Disease,” Quoted in ”Rendering Industry Supports Voluntary Guidelines for Cattle with Suspected CNS Disease,” Food Chemical News Food Chemical News, July 29, 1996.

”unfeasible, impractical, and unenforceable”: Quoted in ibid. Quoted in ibid.brains, spinal cords, eyeb.a.l.l.s: See ”NCBA Urges Scientific BSE Prevention,” Press Release, National Cattlemen's Beef a.s.sociation, February 18, 1997. See ”NCBA Urges Scientific BSE Prevention,” Press Release, National Cattlemen's Beef a.s.sociation, February 18, 1997.fats, blood, blood products: See ”Industry, Public Interest Groups Differ on FDA's Proposed Ruminant Ban,” See ”Industry, Public Interest Groups Differ on FDA's Proposed Ruminant Ban,” Food Chemical News Food Chemical News, March 10, 1997.allowing cattle to continue eating dead pigs: See the statement of Dr. Beth Lautner, vice president of science and technology at the National Pork Producers Council, Transcript of ”Food and Drug Administration, Public Forum on the Proposed Rule 21 CFR 589: Substances Prohibited from Use in Animal Food or Feed, St. Louis, Missouri, February 4, 1997,” p. 101. See the statement of Dr. Beth Lautner, vice president of science and technology at the National Pork Producers Council, Transcript of ”Food and Drug Administration, Public Forum on the Proposed Rule 21 CFR 589: Substances Prohibited from Use in Animal Food or Feed, St. Louis, Missouri, February 4, 1997,” p. 101.”all mammal remains to all food animals”: Quoted in ”Controlling 'Mad Cow Disease': We call for stronger FDA action,” Quoted in ”Controlling 'Mad Cow Disease': We call for stronger FDA action,” Consumer Reports Consumer Reports, May 1997.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advised: See ”CDC Rejects Any Weakening of FDA's Ruminant Feed Ban Proposal,” See ”CDC Rejects Any Weakening of FDA's Ruminant Feed Ban Proposal,” Food Chemical News Food Chemical News, March 31, 1997.”The United States has no BSE”: Quoted in ”Substances Prohibited from Use in Animal Food or Feed; Animal Proteins Prohibited in Ruminant Feed; Final Rule,” Part II, Quoted in ”Substances Prohibited from Use in Animal Food or Feed; Animal Proteins Prohibited in Ruminant Feed; Final Rule,” Part II, Federal Register Federal Register, June 5, 1997, p. 30939.”mammalian-to-ruminant, with exceptions”: Quoted in ibid., p. 30968. Quoted in ibid., p. 30968.

274 these industry groups rightly worried: these industry groups rightly worried: See ”FDA Public Forum,” pp. 369. See ”FDA Public Forum,” pp. 369.

a remarkable example of cooperation': Quoted in Chuck Cannon, ”Renderers Appear To Be Bearing Up Well to FDA's Ban on Ruminant Protein in feed,” Quoted in Chuck Cannon, ”Renderers Appear To Be Bearing Up Well to FDA's Ban on Ruminant Protein in feed,” Meat Marketing & Technology Meat Marketing & Technology, March 1998.”protected the beef industry”: Quoted in ibid. Quoted in ibid.”verbatim”: Quoted in ibid. Quoted in ibid.”the number of BSE cases there soon doubled”: Cited in ”Developments in Mad-Cow History,” Cited in ”Developments in Mad-Cow History,” Wall Street Journal Wall Street Journal, March 1, 2001.the number of BSE cases increased fivefold: Cited in Geoff Winestock, ”Tracking Spread of 'Mad Cow' in Europe Remains Random,” Cited in Geoff Winestock, ”Tracking Spread of 'Mad Cow' in Europe Remains Random,” Wall Street Journal Wall Street Journal, January 8, 2001.that supplied ground beef to McDonald's restaurants: See Melanie Goodfellow, ”Italy's First BSE Case Found in Cow Destined for McDonald's,” See Melanie Goodfellow, ”Italy's First BSE Case Found in Cow Destined for McDonald's,” The Independent The Independent, January 16, 2001, and ”Final Tests Confirm BSE in Cow in Italian Slaughterhouse That Supplies McDonald's,” AP Worldstream AP Worldstream, January 16, 2001.plummet by as much as 50 percent: Cited in Geoff Winestock, ”'Mad-Cow' Disease Cases Jump Despite EU Increased Testing,” Cited in Geoff Winestock, ”'Mad-Cow' Disease Cases Jump Despite EU Increased Testing,” Wall Street Journal Wall Street Journal, January 8, 2001.

275 one-quarter of the firms handling ”prohibited” feed: one-quarter of the firms handling ”prohibited” feed: Cited in ”Food Safety: Controls Can Be Strengthened to Reduce the Risk of Disease Linked to Unsafe Animal Feed,” GAO/RCD-00255, United States General Accounting Office, September 2000, p. 12. Cited in ”Food Safety: Controls Can Be Strengthened to Reduce the Risk of Disease Linked to Unsafe Animal Feed,” GAO/RCD-00255, United States General Accounting Office, September 2000, p. 12.

one-fifth of the firms handling both: Cited in ibid., p. 12. Cited in ibid., p. 12.one out of every ten rendering firms: Cited in ibid., p. 12. Cited in ibid., p. 12.In Colorado, more than one-quarter: Cited in Michael Booth, ”Mad Cow Rules Violated,” Cited in Michael Booth, ”Mad Cow Rules Violated,” Denver Post Denver Post, May 13, 2001.sales in Europe had already fallen by 10 percent: Cited in ”McDonald's Not Out of Mad Cows Woods Yet - CFO,” Cited in ”McDonald's Not Out of Mad Cows Woods Yet - CFO,” Reuters Reuters, February 28, 2001.”If McDonald's is requiring something”: Quoted in Philip Brasher, ”McDonald's Forcing Beef Industry to Comply with Mad Cow Rules,” Quoted in Philip Brasher, ”McDonald's Forcing Beef Industry to Comply with Mad Cow Rules,” a.s.sociated Press a.s.sociated Press, March 13, 2001.”Because we have the world's biggest shopping cart”: Quoted in ibid. Quoted in ibid.

276 ”McGarbage”: ”McGarbage”: Douglas Kern, ”McGarbage”, Douglas Kern, ”McGarbage”, National Review Online Weekend National Review Online Weekend, January 278, 2001.

”hodgepodge of impressions”: Cynthia Crossen, ”A Culinary Wasteland,” Cynthia Crossen, ”A Culinary Wasteland,” Wall Street Journal Wall Street Journal, January 12, 2001.”anecdotal”: The AMI spokeswoman was Janet Riley, quoted in Regina Schrambling, ”Catching America with Its Hand in the Fries,” The AMI spokeswoman was Janet Riley, quoted in Regina Schrambling, ”Catching America with Its Hand in the Fries,” New York Times New York Times, March 21, 2001.”The real McDonald's”: Quoted in Alby Gallun, ”McDonald's Mid-Life Crisis,” Quoted in Alby Gallun, ”McDonald's Mid-Life Crisis,” Crain's Chicago Business Crain's Chicago Business, April 30, 2001.

277 One of President George W. Bush's first acts: One of President George W. Bush's first acts: For the implications of Bush's move, see ”Working America Challenges Corporate America,” For the implications of Bush's move, see ”Working America Challenges Corporate America,” U.S. Newswire U.S. Newswire, March 6, 2001; Victor Epstein, ”Arguments over Ergonomics Keenly Felt by Injured Workers,” Omaha World-Herald Omaha World-Herald, March 8, 2001; and Mike Allen, ”Bush Signs Repeal of Ergonomics Rules,” Was.h.i.+ngton Post Was.h.i.+ngton Post, March 21, 2001.

Norwood sponsored legislation: In 1997, Norwood sponsored a bill (along with Congressman Joel Hefley from Colorado Springs) that essentially aimed to repeal the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. See ”Hutchison, Hefley Introduce Proposals in House, Senate to Overhaul OSHA,” In 1997, Norwood sponsored a bill (along with Congressman Joel Hefley from Colorado Springs) that essentially aimed to repeal the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. See ”Hutchison, Hefley Introduce Proposals in House, Senate to Overhaul OSHA,” Asbestos & Lead Abatement Report Asbestos & Lead Abatement Report, April 7, 1997.repet.i.tive stress injuries from skiing: See Sarah Anderson, ”OSHA under Siege,” See Sarah Anderson, ”OSHA under Siege,” The Progressive The Progressive, December 1995.The meatpacking industry's lobbyists were delighted: See Allison Beers, ”USDA Plans to Change School Lunch Specs for Ground Beef, Pork, Turkey,” See Allison Beers, ”USDA Plans to Change School Lunch Specs for Ground Beef, Pork, Turkey,” Food Chemical News Food Chemical News, April 2, 2001; Marc Kauffman, ”USDA Proposes to Reverse School Ground Beef Rules,” Was.h.i.+ngton Post Was.h.i.+ngton Post, April 5, 2001; and Marian Burros, ”U.S. Proposes End to Testing for Salmonella in School Beef,” New York Times New York Times, April 5, 2001.roughly 5 million pounds were rejected: Cited in Beers, ”USDA Plans”. Cited in Beers, ”USDA Plans”.

278 ”For flavor enhancement”: ”For flavor enhancement”: Quoted in Viji Sundaram, ”Where's the Beef? It's in Your French Fries,” Quoted in Viji Sundaram, ”Where's the Beef? It's in Your French Fries,” India-West India-West, April 5, 2001.

”Eating a cow for a Hindu”: Quoted in Laurie Goodstein, ”For Hindus and Vegetarians, Surprise in McDonald's Fries,” Quoted in Laurie Goodstein, ”For Hindus and Vegetarians, Surprise in McDonald's Fries,” New York Times New York Times, May 20, 2001.

279 ”We came to warn them”: ”We came to warn them”: Quoted in ”Hardline Hindus: Close McDonald's,” Quoted in ”Hardline Hindus: Close McDonald's,” Ha'aretz Ha'aretz, May 6, 2001.

”If you visit McDonald's anywhere”: ”Healthy Eating,” McDonald's Corporation, Australian Web site, ”Healthy Eating,” McDonald's Corporation, Australian Web site, .au, 2001.adjusting its french fry recipe: Interview with Anna Rozenich, the McDonald's Corporation. Interview with Anna Rozenich, the McDonald's Corporation.”We regret if customers felt”: ”McDonald's French Fry Facts”, McDonald's Corporation, May 2001. ”McDonald's French Fry Facts”, McDonald's Corporation, May 2001.”confusion” was the wrong word: Quoted in Transcript, ”Cla.s.s Action Suit Against McDonald's Claims Company Misleads Consumers About Fry Oil,” Quoted in Transcript, ”Cla.s.s Action Suit Against McDonald's Claims Company Misleads Consumers About Fry Oil,” CNN News CNN News, May 3, 2001.”We apologize for any confusion”: The spokesman was Walt Riker, repeating a denial made on numerous occasions. Quoted in Transcript, ”Cla.s.s Action Suit.” See also ”McDonald's Apologizes,” The spokesman was Walt Riker, repeating a denial made on numerous occasions. Quoted in Transcript, ”Cla.s.s Action Suit.” See also ”McDonald's Apologizes,” Calgary Herald Calgary Herald, May 25, 2001.