Pass the Veggies

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An article in the Philadelphia Inquirer poses the question: "But could a beef recall, even an epic one, really end up altering the culture and breeding vegetarians like ranchers breed cows?"

While it's impossible to determine if more people will actually become vegetarians, anecdotal evidence would suggest that some Americans have shifted their diets after reading about the inhumane treatment of cows, and inclusion of downer cattle in the food supply by the Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing company. One lunchtime diner told the writer, "I read about the video and stopped buying meat. For me, it's more an ethical issue about animal treatment than a health issue."

Others are skeptical, suggesting that car accidents are often fatal but do not stop people from driving.

Meg Major, senior editor at Progressive Grocer magazine told the paper that there has been no measurable drop-off in the purchase of meat around the country. Fred Kuchler, a USDA economist, added that consumers typically reduce their meat consumption immediately following a recall, and then return to normal shopping habits. Since this wasn't a typical recall, we'll have to wait and see what long-term effects it has.

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