Is the beef or pork you buy from the U.S.A., Mexico or Canada?

[Sun]

When I went to the supermarket recently I was surprised to see in small print that the beef was "Product of U.S.A., Mexico and Canada," and the pork said "Product of U.S.A. or Canada," but it didn't say which country.

While I buy nonfood items from Mexico, I don't buy produce because people have become sick or even died from their produce, probably because of the water. Now the cows drink the same water, so why would I want to buy beef produced in Mexico.

[Global2010]

Here are two articles that explain the new multi countries of origin thingy.

Country of Origin Labels Give Consumers More Information
Address:http://calorielab.com/news/2008/10/01/country-of-origin-labels-food/

USDA Releases Interim Final Rule for Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) | Oregon State University - Small Farms
Address:http://smallfarms.oregonstate.edu/snf/fall08usdarule+

[Yaelle]

Before you buy beef again, read “The Omnivore’s Dilemma” by Michael Pollan. You’ll be saving up and eating less beef just so you can afford good grass-fed beef from clean farms and careful slaughter. We are what we eat, and a lot of cattle production is sincerely ghastly for our heath.

[Sun]

I’ll check out your links. It is deceitful if they list multi countries, because we still don’t know which country.

[Sun]

I wonder if kosher beef is grass fed? I buy kosher hot dogs, because I feel their producers will be more careful.

[Tuscaloosa Goldfinch]

I bought a hindquarter? I think - it was a lot of meat - from a place in Paris TN, called Yoders. Piedmontieff? I think. It’s grass fed, organic beef.

[Sun]

I bet you saved a lot of $$, too.

[jy8z]

I just had my own home raised hog butchered. By the end of the week I will complete a laying house for 20 hens. Next year I will add a pen for a calf. A good friend of mine has put in a large garden. We will trade quite often.
I consider myself very lucky to be able to care for our immediate needs...all by myself.

[Sun]

You’re smart to be independent. No matter what happens you and your friend will eat safe food.

[NoLibZone]

I stopped buying beef here in Califronia.

On the Albertsons labels it now says Canada, Mexico and New Zealand.

[Colvin]

Usually a farmer sells 1/2 a steer or pig when they have reached optimum weight to butcher, he arranges the slaughter and has the halves taken to a butcher, who processes and wraps the meat for about 50c to 65c a pound.
(To order)

The USDA requires animals to be sold by the half unless the live animal is sent to an approved processing plant. In my area I would have to transfer the animals for a couple of hours to get to a plant so I could sell the meat at a farmers market, so I just sell halves.
The big processors don't like competition. Thank you government for protecting me.

[Colvin]

Kosher has to do with how the animal was killed, a Rabbi has to be present.

[Colvin]

I recently posted part of a letter I recieved from Fedco seeds with my order. Thier orders are up 42%. I went to order apple trees from my supplier, cummins nursery, and he was OUT of most everything.

[Sun]

“On the Albertsons labels it now says Canada, Mexico and New Zealand.”

Last I heard New Zealand is the very best, safest meat in the world, but you don’t know if it’s Canada or Mexico, though. This multiple labeling is a JOKE, and it makes me mad.

[Sun]

“Kosher has to do with how the animal was killed, a Rabbi has to be present.”

Thanks.

Is that all there is to it? How the animal was fed, etc. has nothing to do with it??

[Sun]

“The big processors don’t like competition.”

I’m thinking if the stores put multiple countries of origin on the labels, the small ranchers will get more business, because we will turn to them to know where our meat is from.

[Eva]

I don’t know what you consider to be a small ranch, but the government inspection system is so costly that most small ranchers cannot make a profit by selling their animals for food. I have a friend who just looked into selling goat meat to a restaurant, and she would have to sell at a loss to compete with goat meat from New Zealand.

I’m wondering if the inspection process is the same or if they just spot check imported meat. I don’t know.

[Sun]

Thanks for your input.

I think Colvin could give you more insight than I could.

[Colvin]

I believe that is it, but there may be rule about meat bi-products, but I think that would be a google search.

[Colvin]

Michael Pollan also wrote a letter to president elect back in October in regards to our food supply.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/12/magazine/12policy-t.html?_r=1&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink

Intersesting reading, and not nut job we are all gonna die stuff, but some very good insite.

[mysterio]

We need to expand irradiating meat. Would prevent a lot of food poisoning.