Sales of Mexican Green Onions Plummet After U.S. Hepatitis Outbreak Traced to Northwestern Mexico

abcnews.go.com \ AP ^ | Nov. 25 2003

[FITZ]

Things happen everywhere --- but some things happen a lot more in some places versus other places:

From CDC.

[.cnI redruM]

On that, I'll agree. I exaggerated to make a point to the 'fair trade' side of the economic argument. Namely that if Mexicans continue to practice poor sanitation in their agriculture industry, it will not capture significant market share, regardless of the labor cost advantage, or any government subsidy.

[FITZ]

Many U.S. distributors are slashing orders, even though it hasn't been proved that Mexico was to blame for the outbreak.

We can't blame Mexico --- they irrigate and fertilize their crops the way they have always done. Anyone who has ever traveled to Mexico knows it is common knowledge that you don't drink the water and you don't eat raw foods in that country. The importers and distributors are the ones who were making a quick profit and knowingly imported these products. Blame the importers but don't blame Mexico.

[Walkin Man]

Further proof that the market works. Green onions from Mexico are now seen as an inferior good.

But the problem is that the politicians that imposed NAFTA on our market knew the sanitary standards of Mexico were and are inferior to those of the US and yet still forced this dangerous product into our markets in the name of "free trade".

How many Americans will have to die to show the market works?

[Walkin Man]

No nation is immune to food poisoning. Things like this happen everywhere. I don't stop drinking Coke after they find a rat in one of the bottles.

True but you are comparing apples to oranges.

Sure in the USA there is the occasional food poisoning incident, but overall we have rules, standards and laws in effect to stop these things from happening. There are no such laws in Mexico or else they are not enforced and Americans will pay the price for that thanks to the republican and demoRat parties that gave us NAFTA.

[Republicus2001]

according to Paul Harvey this morning the problem comes from Mexican farmers using human sh!t as fertilizer

[Walkin Man]

...Mexican farmers using human sh!t as fertilizer Something to think about the next time you sit down to eat at a restaurant, eh?

[Prodigal Son]

When I say these things- I mean literally every mishap you can get from food. Not just Hepatitus. If your graphic pointed at mad cow disease, Great Britain would be a danger zone.

Hey, boycott Mexico. It doesn't bother me. I'm not going to though. I wouldn't hesitate at all to travel to and eat in many of those countries in the red. Particularly India.

[FITZ]

I've traveled and eaten in Mexico --- but of course they have warnings in every tourist book around --- unlike what happened to these poor victims of Chi Chis. Plus if we're going to have third world health standards now for the USA --- then we need to educate people how to survive better with them. If we want to live like third worlders because it's cheaper then we have to stop eating fresh vegetables just like third worlders have if they want to avoid diseases that travel the fecal-oral route.

[FITZ]

How many Americans will have to die to show the market works?

Think of the risks to school age kids when the government decides to cut costs and put this fecal-contaminated food in the lunches of the children. Parents might be able to protect them somewhat by feeding them at home --- but as long as there are no standards on the food that's brought in, there will be more and more outbreaks of this and many other diseases.

[Tex-Con-Man]

"Green Onions" by Herb Albert & the Tijuana Brass

Booker T

[familyofman]

"Booker T" and the MGs. What did the TB do?

[Walkin Man]

Its funny, I thought NAFTA was supposed to bring Mexico up to our level.

Instead its dragging our food safety level down to their third-world standard while destroying middle-class jobs at the same time.

What a deal...

[FITZ]

No --- NAFTA was never meant to bring Mexico up to our level --- if they had to meet our standards, then their prices wouldn't be cheap enough to be worth it ---- the importers want to make a lot of profit -- not just a little. Just like the Mexican truck drivers complaining if they have to have our safety regulations on their trucks --- they can't afford them.

[Redbob]

Folks, it's not just their green onions that are fertilized with human manure...

[ClintonBeGone]

If so where do I sign up?

No need to sign up. Members know each other by the tone of their voice when they bash the President and their satin jackets.