‘Slaughtered in the USA’: Labeling rule burns meat industry

The Hill ^

[1010RD]

So, how do you think the labeling started? I don’t have direct evidence, but I suspect it was a conspiracy of crony capitalists using government power to limit or eliminate an innovative competitor.

That’s my personal experience with this kind of thing. Why is the current government mandated food label ideal?

[EinNYC]

If you mean the Agri-Processors scandal, it involved using a cruel slaughter technique that was in violation of Jewish law.

Schechita (kosher slaughter) is supposed to be humane and cause a minimum of suffering. It involves severing the carotid arteries, trachea, etc. all in one swift stroke with a specially sharpened knife that has been inspected for perfect sharpness (no nicks in the blade) right before each slaughter. It must also be done by a specially trained individual. Basically, the animal should be "dead before they even feel the cut".

At the Agri-Processor plant in Iowa, they were caught on tape rummaging around with a hook in newly-slaughtered cows' throats before they even lost consciousness, to remove a certain bit of tissue. This was a clear violation of Jewish law. Also, some of the slaughters resulted in cows getting up and walking around with their throats cut, clearly showing that it was not done properly. Properly schechted animals should lose consciousness within about 30 seconds, NOT be trying to get up and walk, or actually walking.

I was always leery of Agri-Processors products (Rubashkin brand), and after a bit of research, stayed away from them. My suspicions were proven correct after the above scandal AND the illegal labor practice scandal.

[AEMILIUS PAULUS]

Thanks. What you advised jogged my memory and is correct. Not being an expert on kosher procedures I assumed they were violated. Would the methods used render the meat non-kosher?

[devolve]

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“Schechita” must be more like using a drone instead of waterboarding -

I have seen slaughter houses (meat processors) in KC with a big sledgehammer to the skull of a steer or a quick rifle bullet - I have seen animals hanging from a hook and throats slit.

Is there really any humane way to kill anything?

Can*t we all just feast on the strange veggie crud Moochelle talks about for kids while she stands at a weird angle for the TV cameras in Quasi-Afreekin* designer stuff - and then she has a huge cheeseburger, fries, and a shake.

OFF TOPIC STUFF of THINGS NOT TO DO:

1 - Swim with White Sharks

2 - Climb tall mountains in blizzard country

3 - Travel to Iran if you are a retired CIA or FBI agent

4 - Listen to John McCain about anything

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[EinNYC]

I know that generally, you are not allowed to add or subtract things from Jewish law. However, I am not a rabbi, so I cannot state with authority that it renders the meat unkosher. I can say that it's right there on the edge of it, however. You are forbidden to cause suffering to an animal, whether as a pet, a work animal, or an animal being slaughtered for food.

I do remember being on the phone with a prominent rabbi while we both watched the secretly taped video of the cows with slashed throats trying to stand, and in one case, actually getting up and walking around. He told me that it did not look like any schechita he ever heard about or witnessed. It was horrible to watch, I had such tears streaming down my face (I gave up eating any red meat several years ago).

According to humane slaughter expert Dr. Temple Grandin, dead animals are not supposed to show more than random leg kicking. This cow was walking in a coordinated manner, it was just sickening. Also, instead of having the more humane walk-in kill box, this disgusting slaughterhouse had a drum which rotated the animal belly-up while alive, to make the throat area more accessible. I cannot imagine the terror of a large animal unnaturally confined in a helpless position. After the slaughter, the drum opened and the supposedly dead animal slid awkwardly down a concrete ramp. That is the point at which some of them tried to stand and the one that walked did. Even if I still ate red meat, I would shun this brand. I won't even buy their chickens. I personally consider this brand to be unkosher, and won't have it in my home.