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| Too early for reassurances on horsemeat | Too early for reassurances on horsemeat |
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| Upton Sinclair, in 1906, published his book The Jungle to expose the corruption, exploitation and social problems of the time. He spent several weeks working undercover in the Chicago meat-packing industry, and many episodes in the book have been played out again in the past few weeks' newspapers. In great detail he described lax regulation and inspection, factory owners chasing profit by using adulterated meat, exploitation of immigrant workers, the collusion of business and politicians, poor social support from government and the hopelessness of the working people. | Upton Sinclair, in 1906, published his book The Jungle to expose the corruption, exploitation and social problems of the time. He spent several weeks working undercover in the Chicago meat-packing industry, and many episodes in the book have been played out again in the past few weeks' newspapers. In great detail he described lax regulation and inspection, factory owners chasing profit by using adulterated meat, exploitation of immigrant workers, the collusion of business and politicians, poor social support from government and the hopelessness of the working people. |
| Although his book led to changes in legislation to increase regulation in the meat industry, he lamented that "I aimed at the public's heart and by accident hit its stomach". It would seem that again we have the opportunity to tackle the societal causes of the evolving scandal in meat processing, but I suspect that again the government will do enough to settle our stomachs and move on. Paul Climie Glasgow | Although his book led to changes in legislation to increase regulation in the meat industry, he lamented that "I aimed at the public's heart and by accident hit its stomach". It would seem that again we have the opportunity to tackle the societal causes of the evolving scandal in meat processing, but I suspect that again the government will do enough to settle our stomachs and move on. Paul Climie Glasgow |
| • Your article (Tesco says bolognese range is 60% horsemeat, 12 February) repeats the assurance that meat products found to contain horsemeat present no risk to human health. In the light of the obvious failure of food retailers to undertake rigorous testing of the meat products they sell, we would question how this assurance can be given. As horsemeat has gone undetected for some considerable time, who knows what else might be revealed by the further tests proposed by the Food Standards Agency. | • Your article (Tesco says bolognese range is 60% horsemeat, 12 February) repeats the assurance that meat products found to contain horsemeat present no risk to human health. In the light of the obvious failure of food retailers to undertake rigorous testing of the meat products they sell, we would question how this assurance can be given. As horsemeat has gone undetected for some considerable time, who knows what else might be revealed by the further tests proposed by the Food Standards Agency. |
| There is a clear failure of surveillance systems in this case and thus bland reassurances are inappropriate. We strongly encourage further debate on this issue rather than repeating reassurances which may turn out to be unfounded. Rachel Clark and Dr Bharat Pankhania South West (North) Health Protection Unit | There is a clear failure of surveillance systems in this case and thus bland reassurances are inappropriate. We strongly encourage further debate on this issue rather than repeating reassurances which may turn out to be unfounded. Rachel Clark and Dr Bharat Pankhania South West (North) Health Protection Unit |
| • Illegal and unprovenanced horsemeat from eastern Europe may contain trichinella, a parasitic worm that can cause unpleasant and sometimes fatal human illness. Thoroughly cooked products are likely to be safe, but undercooked meat is not. Serious outbreaks of disease have occurred in France and elsewhere from salami and other products containing horsemeat. Laurence Gibson Buckingham | • Illegal and unprovenanced horsemeat from eastern Europe may contain trichinella, a parasitic worm that can cause unpleasant and sometimes fatal human illness. Thoroughly cooked products are likely to be safe, but undercooked meat is not. Serious outbreaks of disease have occurred in France and elsewhere from salami and other products containing horsemeat. Laurence Gibson Buckingham |
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