The Implant Issue

The Implant Issue

Susan Allen
Susan Allen

 

When I toured regional cattle ranches, feed lots and processing plants last summer with some of the Northwest’s top chefs and restaurant owners, ( several of whom I might add climbed aboard the bus with negative mind set regarding production agriculture) the topic of growth implants kept coming up. I’m Susan Allen when Open Range returns I’ll tell you how our tour hosts responded to a bevy of questions on this controversial topic. Ranchers, and feed lot owners, even the manager of one of our regions largest processing plants explained to a tour of chefs and restaurant owners from Seattle, Portland, Spokane and Boise that all growth-promoting products used in raising beef cattle must be approved by the FDA and approval takes years upon years of testing. The feed lot owner gently reminded the group that growth hormones have been on the market now for more than thirty years with no documented negative effects on human health. He also went on to explain how hormones, like those use in growth –promoting production occur naturally in all plants and animals and that that one pound of cabbage contains 10,880 more nanograms of estrogen that a pound of beef from an implanted steer. After two days of pretty explicit exposure to all aspects of the cattle industry it was amazing to watch and listen to the transformation of this group of urban chefs  hen they were finally able to get their questions answered by respected industry professionals. If you have questions regarding beef safety a great website is  www.sustainable beef.org
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