Egads!

http://www.dailykos.com/storyo.....23334/5425

http://www.chinachemnet.com/chinataixin/

HEB -STILL- has reduced prices on PORK! I think that by selling more pork, at reduced prices to people who aren’t following all that’s going on — BECAUSE THE MEDIA MINIMALLY COVERS — they can say “our sales have not been affected by the tainted pork” hysteria…

Also, HEB -RARELY- has a country-of-origin statement on their packaging. They don’t even have a “use by” date on frozen chicken. It’s date coded. I’ve filed a complaint with the store manager, the asst. store manager, HEB online. I tried to file a complaint with the USDA, but was told there is not a law mandating “use by” date. That is a voluntary practice. THAT’S WHEN MY HEAD EXPLODED.

Release No. 0129.07
Contact:
USDA Press Office (202) 720-4623

MELAMINE AND ANALOGUES SAFETY/RISK ASSESSMENT

There is very low risk to humans from eating pork, chicken and eggs from animals fed animal feed supplemented with pet food scraps that contained melamine and related compounds, according to an assessment by federal scientists.

This conclusion was drawn as part of a “Melamine and Analogues Safety-/Risk Assessment” conducted by scientists from five federal agencies. Melamine analogues include cyanuric acid, ammelide and ammeline, which are commonly referred to as melamine compounds.

A safety/risk assessment is a scientific approach to estimating the risk to human health from exposure to specified compounds. It is based on available data and certain scientific assumptions in the absence of data.
These scientists estimated the human exposure to melamine and related compounds from the consumption of contaminated pork, poultry, and eggs as well as from foods containing pork and poultry as ingredients, and compared this exposure to levels calculated to be safe to consume.

Scientists conclude that for individuals who consume large amounts of the specified foods, the level of consumption is 18,000 - 30,000 times lower than the level considered safe. In other words, a person could multiply the level of consumption by thousands and remain well below the level of public health concern.
Scientists also calculated the risk if melamine were present in all the solid food consumed by an individual every day. The amount consumed is still approximately 2,500 times lower than the level considered safe. These individuals are still extremely unlikely to exhibit any adverse health effects.

The assessment notes that melamine is not metabolized, and is rapidly excreted in the urine. Thus, it is not believed to accumulate in the body of animals.

The assessment was conducted by scientists from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

===============
In the ABSENCE OF DATA?? I guess since we all haven’t choked, puked or fallen dead, it’s ok! What about the food many of us are feeding our pets — HOME COOKED — WITH PEOPLE FOOD — PORK — CHICKEN??
errrrrrrrrr!
We are THEIR GUINEA PIGS!

—————————————

You are subscribed to Constituent Update for USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. This message is to inform you about a joint press release from USDA and FDA.

There is very low risk to human health from consuming meat from hogs and chickens known to have been fed animal feed supplemented with pet food scraps that contained melamine and melamine-related compounds, according to an assessment conducted by scientists from five federal agencies.

A press release and fact sheet on this issue has been posted to the USDA Web site at:

· Joint Release: Scientists Conclude Very Low Risk to Humans from Food Containing Melamine - http://www.usda.gov/2007/05/0128.xml

· Fact Sheet - http://www.usda.gov/2007/05/0129.xml

Whereas with the gluten, it is already confirmed that contaminated product HAS entered the country (as well as the food chain).

Closing the barn door after the horse has escaped? Perhaps. But I’m guessing that’s what accounts for the discrepancy.

http://lawfuel.com/show-release.asp?ID=12125

Peking (formerly known as Beijing) is claiming that the Taixing Glycerine factory isn’t culpable, because they haven’t broken any criminal laws?! Don’t we have an International Criminal Court for this type of thing? Would someone please file a report on these guys, I have to get up early. If not, I’ll do it tomorrow evening.

Taixing Glycerine Factory:
http://www.chinachemnet.com/chinataixin/

International Criminal Court:
http://www.icc-cpi.int/home.html&l=en