My comments on this interesting issue.
There is nothing wrong with consuming horse meat, it is actually done throughout Europe in countries like France, Romania, mainly in eastern Europe. I
have a friend who's Romanian and horses are an integral part of their culture.
The REAL reason these animals were unfit for consumption was they may possibly have had the anti inflammatory animal drug Bute
Horsemeat and Bute Q & ANo horse that has ever received the drug, no
matter how long ago, is meant to be slaughtered for meat for human consumption.
SOME, of these horses had Bute in their systems. Fact.
Now as was pointed out, animals entering our food chain must be screened and tested, its not only due diligence but to me a code of ethos and
responsibility on behalf of these multi million dollar vendors selling these products. At least invest the money to make sure your customers are
buying what they think they are buying and paying for.
SOME, horse contaminated with Bute has been acknowledged to have found its way into the system but the "public health risk is low", as assumed by the
health departments.
The real issue here is mislabeling of products and cost cutting. Use your head, they're using horse to make a larger profit because good beef is more
expensive than good horse. That's dishonest imo and if some of these companies get claims in court filed against them THAT IS THEIR FAULT, not the
consumer, not the horses and not the third parties in between unless the suppliers deliberately mislabeled and deceived their customers, BUT you think
they have some sort of testing AFTER purchasing bulk supplies of meat from European suppliers before allowing it into their food outlets.
Makes me think more people knew about this than is being admitted. Look to the cost cutting schemes of some Chinese businessman/criminals. We can't
let it get as bad as the Chinese industry, fake walnuts, fake eggs, poisoned dog and baby food. This is a wake up call to watch what you eat, be
diligent and don't invest your trust into these huge mega fast food companies, even the ones who make cheap frozen food meals.
Would I eat horse? Not the issue and yes I would. If I went into Burger King, McDonalds or Taco Bell and paid for a Beef Hamburger or a Beef Taco,
that is what I'm expecting to receive. I bet if human DNA was found in there these companies would be out of business. A certain extra level of trust
is needed when buying food for your consumption, more than buying other things we need like clothes and shoes etc. I think so anyway..
I would want the authenticity of my staple product in my business, constantly tested and assured it was what I said it was, my reputation is at stake
BUT as I said a certain duty of care should be a "requirement" of all these companies we trust to provide us with food. This isn't something
unreasonable to ask for, and as someone said, if I walk into a fast food restaurant I am not starving.
Starvation IS part of the issue though.
BECAUSE, now they are debating whether or not the food should be given to the less fortunate, the homeless and poorer people. If Bute isn't in the
meat than I say sure why not but that assurance can't be given now so I conclude with NO, if its not fit for the rest of us you don't just give it to
the poor. I would love to be able to feed the hungry and I guess we should give them the choice but it could be harmful to their health. Touchy issue,
but relevant.
THE ISSUE is still the safety of eating the product. If Bute isn't in the carcasses and the meat WAS INTENDED for the food chain. These horses were
not intended for consumption and people were PAYING for beef not horse, PERIOD.
edit on 1-3-2013 by yoursteppingonmytoes because: (no reason given)
