Americans currently "enjoy" the cheapest animal protein in history. Such a monumental achievement could only have been attained through the industrialized mega-production of meat, milk and eggs -- which now cost about $1.56 on average for a large white dozen in the nation's supermarkets.
At just 13 cents apiece, even the poorest American can afford a two-egg omelet in the morning: It will set them back by less than four-percent of the Federal hourly minimum wage
But now Americans are finally coming to terms with the true cost of their wondrous 26-cent breakfasts: a gargantuan recall of mass-produced eggs -- 380 million of them -- contaminated with deadly salmonella bacteria. Hundreds of people have reportedly been sickened, and the true number could be higher.
The laying hens in question were raised (held prisoner is a more apt term) in Iowa, in a massive concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO), better known as a factory farm. In the typical egg-laying CAFO, hens are crammed into battery cages and given room to move in an area that's roughly equivalent to a piece of typing paper.
Cages are stacked one on top of the other, sometimes 10 or more high, inside large confinements that never see the light of day. Fresh air is pumped into one end, and air fouled with bacteria, viruses, mold, dust, antibiotics, litter and dander spits out the other.
Residents of Florida, Arizona and California have already approved ballot measures that will ban battery cages for hens, and the government of Ohio recently completed major negotiations that will also stop the sickening practice there, as well.
The exact source of the salmonella bacteria now making headlines is not known, though some media reports suggest it may have been in the birds' feed. MSNBC also reported today that the hens' ovaries had been infected with salmonella, which in turn infected the eggs, and then the bargain-hungry shoppers -- and hotel and restaurant guests -- who ate the contaminated food.
Salmonella is largely a problem for factory-farmed eggs. Laying hens raised in organic or sustainable conditions are allowed to peck around outdoors for grubs and high-quality feed provided by farmers who are as concerned about animal health and the safety of the food they sell as they are about keeping their costs -- and prices -- to a minimum. These eggs are less likely to carry disease, and to me at least, they taste a whole lot better.
Even the FDA recognizes the risk from factory eggs. Last month, the agency issued a rule requiring mandatory "flock-based salmonella-control programs,' that include routine microbiologic testing -- for producers with more than 50,000 hens.
Since I began working on my book, Animal Factory, I started buying organic, humanely produced eggs in my supermarket. Yes they cost a lot more: $4.99 a dozen, or about 42 cents apiece. But an 84-cent omelet still seems like a good value to me, especially when I know that the animals were raised like animals are supposed to be raised, and that I'm supporting sustainable farming practices, and not CAFOs, with my limited consumer dollars. (Then again, I don't have a large family to feed, so it's admittedly easier for me).
What good is a 13-cent egg if it's going to get you hospitalized? And why isn't the federal government doing more to encourage and even subsidize the production of humanely-raised and less pathogenic eggs?
Instead, we are told we will have to learn to live with it. The FDA says to cook all eggs thoroughly, but I like my yolks runny and my omelets soft, thank you very much. And the FDA is also recommending that food service providers offer only pasteurized eggs and "egg products" (scrambled eggs in a box) at their establishments.
Of course, The Great American Egg Recall is terrific news for one sector of the staggering economy: egg pasteurizers.
But seriously: Have we really come to the point where we must disinfect our eggs before we consume them? Wouldn't it be better to focus on producing affordable eggs that won't kill you in the first place?
John Robbins: How Egg Industry Greed Caused the Salmonella Outbreak
William Marler: "I am the Egg [Rule] ... " Would It Have Prevented the Salmonella Outbreak?
Robert Reich: Corporate Rotten Eggs
Statement of Egg Safety Center on Egg Recall by Wright County Egg ...
Egg recall expands to 32 million cartons in salmonella outbreak ...
Salmonella Outbreaks Spur Nationwide Egg Recall
Major egg recall extended in US
Egg Recall Expanded After Salmonella Outbreak
Last brigade rolls out...Egg recall grows...Stevens praised
Indiana Largely Insulated From Egg Recall
Egg Recall List for Wright County Egg Salmonella Outbreak Expanded
I haven't eaten store bought eggs since I started with my own backyard flock, but I will be the first to admit that my eggs cost a hell of a lot more than the factory eggs. But life is about choice. Personally I would rather pay more for my eggs and farm fresh produce, and maybe cut out the luxuries like soda and trips to Starbucks, which I did a long time ago.
And how is a family of three or four supposed to afford eggs from "pastured" chickens that cost anywhere $5 (your price) to $8 (price in the Bay Area of CA)/doz? Given the record U.S. unemployment (Shadowstatistics.com puts the real unemployment rate at 22%), the economic uncertainty of Americans in these times, healthy food just costs too much. My prediction is that most families will rationally decide to go without eggs at all, either for price or health risk reasons. Those who watch "Food, Inc." might become vegetarians, given the price of healthy meats.
The answer to that is simple: Because "big food" and "corporate farms" line the pockets of our elected officials, that's why.
Do these smaller organic farms get subsidized the way corporate farms do? No. Why? Because the subsidy is based on acreage and not actual need.
Ultimately, "cheap food" will cost us dearly in the end. Already we see people and the earth getting poisoned by factory farming all in the name of "cheap food."
If you haven't seen Food, Inc., I highly recommend it. Very informative without being condescending.
http://www.democracynow.org/
I now prefer to buy the more expensive eggs chicken and meat even if it means eating less of it , and its made my diet healthier and my soul lighter. To me it was hard to live with myself knowing I was supporting a holocaust style cruel practice to raise innocent animals in misery, just so I could eat cheap and unhealthy meat. I wish they would just shut down those factories and go back to good old fashioned farming, where animals can be in a pasture get sunlight and live a more natural, good life before being humanely killed.Its the least we can do when we are already exploiting them for our use.
http://www.democracynow.org/2010/8/24/david_kirby_on_the_looming_threat
I still recommend crunchy peanut butter on over easy eggs. Just don't tell the yoke police.” repost
Being so, more strict regulations are necessary. Many people cannot afford the $4.99/dozen. It's not an option for them! If big industries and other Big Corps aren't accountable for safety, it's up to us to make them so.
President Clinton's strict food industry regulations were virtually wiped out by GWBush. Go figure.
Best health always,
SuperMom101
One of my daughters and I can not tolerate eggs, among other foods (this may have something to do with "cheap" dental work, vaccinations, and other sources of pollution--I wonder if these sticky protein foods tend to pick up and transport harmful substances at a higher concentration than other foods?). I do try to buy organic or cage-free when we make a special breakfast for the egg eaters in the family or for company, but I'm afraid we are unable to be significant supporters of the farmers who raise their birds this way.