Eggs Not Us

While the attention is again focused on local egg farmers and the problems of the recall. We would like to remind you as SAFEWAY has posted on the sliding doors as you enter their stores - the recall does not refer to our jurisdiction. So from DC to North Carolina - we're unaffected. We accept for the continuing reports that seem to miss the bigger questions.

There are other questions that need to be asked. You might not remember this but PBS broadcasted a special about our region and pollution runoff. It's how our water supply and how we handle waste, industrial or otherwise, can affect our health. As we become more concerned about the weather, as hurricane Earl approaches and tropical storm Fiona passes water is in our future.

When SAFEWAY addressed the issue finally on their website they didn't just restrict their statement to their Lucerne brand eggs but extended to include all recalls. While the information still isn't on their front page but is pasted old school style on their front doors- it is available.

"One-half to two-thirds of American farmers already inoculate their flocks, according to industry estimates, and that number is likely to increase. While the new federal rules do not require vaccination, they do require testing for salmonella. If henhouses are found to be contaminated, then eggs must be tested. If eggs are tainted, then they would have to be broken and pasteurized, which would mean producers would get much less money for their eggs" - New York Times.(Business)

Poisoned Waters the PBS program is almost two (2) hours in length. It's difficult to view because it addresses our dirty little secret. To get fresh eggs the most efficient and most cost effective businesses get our hard earn income. In times of feast little cottage industries spring up and can challenge the stronghold of the larger businesses. In times of famine, like now, it becomes more and more difficult to be cost effective. Businesses suffer and so sometimes do we, the paying public.

"Low-cost vaccines that may help prevent the kind of salmonella outbreak that has led to the recall of more than a half-billion eggs haven't been given to nearly half the nation's egg-laying hens. The vaccines aren't required in the U.S., although in Great Britain, officials say vaccinations have given them the safest egg supply in Europe." - Associated Press (AP)

The program doesn't deal with any of the businesses affected by the recall nor are our comments specifically directed to the financial decisions made by Hillandale Farms of Iowa nor Wright County Egg.

This isn't an anti-SAFEWAY story. It's a story about processed foods and the dirty little secret that we don't like to admit. To get us the items we need to live someone has to do what we don't want to do. For meat, someone has to kill an animal. For vegetables, someone has to put their hands in manure. We don't like to think about it or talk about it. We certainly don't want to hear it. To provide us with the items we need costs someone money. Which we will gladly pay to get what we want. Men want cheap bargains and women want what they want (if our staff is any indication).

"...vaccinating hens and testing barns regularly for bacteria, has essentially wiped out salmonella on California farms, industry officials say. Yet only nine other states have enacted similar government-sponsored efforts. One reason ... California farmers contend, is cost. Injecting chickens and swabbing cages takes money — not a fortune, but enough to send egg distributors searching for lower-cost sources." - LA Times

We love the Los Angeles Times newspaper but even they don't always answer the most obvious question but for California residents they don't have to. Our question would be what are the other nine (9) states that have testing. Local governments and legislators could prevent the sale of these cheaper and more "risky" foods by making the sale of such product illegal to be sold in our areas. Matters of safety might stand the test of a legal challenge especially during these times of uncertainty.

"Many of the cheapest eggs are produced in the Midwest, where energy, farmland and feed cost less and where regulations are less onerous. 

As a result, Iowa egg operators can undercut the competition. Last month it cost Midwest farmers 53.5 cents to produce a dozen eggs, about 16% less than in California, according to Iowa State University's Egg Industry Center.  

Fullerton wholesaler Michael Sencer, whose company supplies food service firms and chains including Ralphs, Costco and Trader Joe's, bought inventory from Wright County Egg. His customers, he said, liked the low prices and ready supply.  

"It drives the demand for Iowa eggs here in California and everywhere," said Sencer, executive vice president of Hidden Villa Ranch. Those same customers are now scrambling. Wholesale egg prices have jumped 20% in California since the recall, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. One key reason: There are 7.5 million Midwest laying hens currently not producing eggs for the nation's breakfasts. But in the Golden State, there are only 19 million hens — enough to meet just 56% of California's demand." - LA Times

Consumer Reports as reported on local WUSA-9 TV in Washington says that the discount chains are considered the best place for bargains by consumers. If you bought your recalled eggs from COSTCO (and we know you didn't) you can always return them for some non-recalled eggs. We personally don't prefer Costco but only because all of us don't have access. We think we can do better than the retailer when it comes to bargains but we must admit. When it comes to food items we've been tempted by the low prices.

"The Food and Drug Administration decided not to mandate vaccination of hens — a precaution that would cost less than a penny per a dozen eggs." - NY Times (Business)

As the PBS program indicates eggs aren't the only problems in these times of financial scarcity that might affect our health and welfare We'll have to be careful and because our concerns will be both costs versus profit what we chose must be fully considered. It just might be a matter of life or death.