and the chicken tasted like wood...

Ayy yo,

Looks like we just can't get away from that pesky news story about those rotten eggs from Iowa possibly tainted with Salmonella.  Almost every channel has been running the same old footage of some soupy goopy runny eggs being half-fried in a pan or just sloshing around somebody's plate like big yellow splotches on a kindergartener's wet painting of the sun, before the consumer sops up said eggs with a slice of toast and eats it.  Ewwww.  Yuk.  Gross.  I hate runny eggs.  Nah man, cook my joints all the way through, Yo.  There's nothing worst to me than to break into some half-azz scrambled eggs with a fork and then have everything come spilling out of it like some pus filled sore or repressed secrets in a closet.

But I digress...

As if the egg screw up wasn't enough bad news now there's talk about certain deli meats that are being recalled because of a known bacteria that could kill you if consumed.  Well holy two-piece and a biscuit, Batman!  How come all of this is happening now?  Is everyone asleep over in the quality assurance departments of these food companies?  Should we as WLS patients be worried that we're not being told the whole story about food preparation in general?  I mean we can't rely on supplements to get all of our protein and vitamins.

What's your take on it, BAF?  Holla atcha boy.

I know!   

When I read about this latest recall, I was thinking,  "I can't eat eggs and now meat is bad for me too?!  How the heck am I supposed to get in my protein?"

Sorry, this is long...

I have a hard time with scrambled eggs since surgery....probably because I cooked them DRY. No runnies for me 

 "Is everyone asleep over in the quality assurance departments of these food companies?"

Testing of food is generally done in varied batches for QAQC. Remember the peanut butter disaster? The bacterium was in pockets of the vat so if the product is sampled bottom/middle/top there was the strong possibility that the contaminant was layered in. I don't recall if the tested samples were fully cored, but I do remember the company's policy of "retesting to pass". 

So what does that mean for the consumer? 
1. Product batch is first tested internally  and released if the results are within a "desired" range. Just your luck that the acceptable ppm/ppb is higher in your lot and it ends up in your shopping cart. Think about the excessive schitt floating around in grits... Anywho,  an outside lab (unbiased) is sent samples and random testing is performed. Examples:

     a. Beef - If ground beef is tested and found to be contaminated the meat is either destroyed or the bacterium is eradicated using various methods. Burgers should be thoroughly cooked (IMHO) because of the relaxed requirements.
Here's some current info: http://www.takepart.com/news/2010/08/10/ecoli-traceability-a nd-eradication-act-would-mean-safer-beef

     b. Frozen foods - we may think that a flash freeze will kill the bad bugs, but that isn't always the case. Bacteria can lay dormant until it reaches a certain temp. So those frozen green beans may seem harmless, but boiling them can  "wake" the bug and if not cooked to the proper temp, the end user could end up with a serious case of  Several years ago, there was a MAJOR recall for a microwavable product because of incorrect labeling for cooking time. I always cook my foods a little longer.

      c. Fresh veggies - Remember the spinach schitt storm? Workers were taking dumps in the fields and that healthy lunch that you were enjoying dayum near killed ya.  Again, relaxed testing. Thorough cleansing can easily take care of this. Makes me think about my Moms telling me that you can't eat at everybody's house!

       d. Speaking of not eating at Cousin Mattie(hair) Bell's  house, outside testing can also include inspections at the plants. Lets say rat turds are found the floor. A CAR (corrected action report) is written up and the company is allowed time to rectify the non conformance. The consumer usually never hears about this unless the company repeatedly fails or a disgruntled employee blows the whistle and calls Oprah or 20/20.

As the consumer, you can stay informed by utilizing the following sites:
 http://www.fsis.usda.gov/fsis_recalls/

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/default.htm

Sorry, this is long...

No problem.  I don't have any corporate sponsor's yet so we've got time.  BTW congrats again on your recent wedding.

Testing of food is generally done in varied batches for QAQC. Remember the peanut butter disaster?

 Heyll yeah.  I was about to bake, grind, and produce my own batches when that came out.

So what does that mean for the consumer? 
1. Product batch is first tested internally  and released if the results are within a "desired" range. Just your luck that the acceptable ppm/ppb is higher in your lot and it ends up in your shopping cart. Think about the excessive schitt floating around in grits...

 Lawd, not the grits.  Wait a sec...  I don't eat grits anymore.  But still... 

Anywho,  an outside lab (unbiased) is sent samples and random testing is performed.

When you say "unbiased" does that mean the lab can write them up for having crappy product or just make strong suggestions? 

Examples:

     a. Beef - If ground beef is tested and found to be contaminated the meat is either destroyed or the bacterium is eradicated using various methods.

I take it from what you're saying that they use the "sample" method in this case too?  If so - "Gross!"

Several years ago, there was a MAJOR recall for a microwavable product because of incorrect labeling for cooking time. I always cook my foods a little longer.

See...  we used to always get on grandma about cooking the **** outta her frozen greens and peas.  Guess we were wrong huh?  Sorry, Grammy!

      c. Fresh veggies - Remember the spinach schitt storm?
Nah.  I missed that one.  I never liked Spinach.  I don't care what cartoon character is promoting it.  Too bitter for me.
 
Workers were taking dumps in the fields and that healthy lunch that you were enjoying dayum near killed ya. 

OMG!  That's terrible.  

 Again, relaxed testing. Thorough cleansing can easily take care of this. Makes me think about my Moms telling me that you can't eat at everybody's house!

You ain't kiddin', Yo.  Everybody ain't as sanitary as you are with your own personal food.  I know that some folks will have the house cat sitting right up there near the stove as they prepare their gourmet spaghetti.  Nasty!

 Lets say rat turds are found the floor.

Let's not!  I hate rats.  Can't stand dem bastids!  I won't even let my kids watch that stupid-azz Ratatouie movie anymore, simply because it's unsanitary to even pretend a rat will cook somebody some food even for play-play.

A CAR (corrected action report) is written up and the company is allowed time to rectify the non conformance. The consumer usually never hears about this unless the company repeatedly fails or a disgruntled employee blows the whistle and calls Oprah or 20/20.

True.  Hey, if you haven't already, check out the movie The Informant.  It's about a whistle-blower for ADM.  Matt Damon will have you dying with laughter in it.

I tell anyone with ears to rent and watch a lil movie called "Food Inc"

It will change the way you view food and it will change the way you eat.  No one is protecting us, and EVERYTHING is either filthy or bio genetically engineered.

The lab that I worked at encouraged the employees to watch it. After watching it, my thinking did a serious 180 when it comes to what we eat.

I'm a stickler for food prep.  It comes with being a germaphobe, lol.  It is the **** that's out of your control no matter how careful you are is that gets to me. 

I like my soft yokes but I know the risk of under cooked foods.  However, what the hell can you do about contaminated cold cuts.  What about the organisms cooking won't destroy?  A while back it was killer pre washed salad and spinach.  Even supplements are found to be contaminated from time to time. 

Meal time is like Russian Roulette.  Perhaps it will help me eat less. Wonder what's lurking in my protein powder???

First of all gimme a minute to stop laughing  Secondly, its ridiculous!!! I'm in the Bay Area (Cali) and its been flashing on the news all day. I gotta go Vegan now. Black folks don't do Vegan dangit but, I can't be taking no chances. I'm going back to shakes I guess. This shouldnt' be happening but, I'm glad I didn't get no tainted meat/eggs ya dig?

~Catt~