This week on PBS, The Nightly Business Report included a discussion on the recent massive egg recalls. The suspected eggs were from two of the largest egg producers in the States.
It is daunting to see on television millions of chicken cramp in barns many times of a regulation football field. The lit chicken house does not impress me as a hospitable place. The size of it also makes me wonder how the well-being of these all white birds is monitored? To me it will very likely take a chicken catcher a long time to reach a distressed hen in an over sized barn.
Contrary to the reason for the recent egg recalls, the proponents of mass production system suggested that the better and bigger equipment these big companies can buy help to improve the safety of the foods they produce. But I am with the critics of the food industry that our food producers are getting too big. The dominant position of five or six producers in the country enables them to dictate the fares on our dinner table. And efficiency has also taken a toll on safety. Now food recalls have become common occurrences.
In old days, we were taught to be appreciative of the foods on our table and the clothes on our back. Now these days there are many families still pray before enjoying their bountiful meals. Perhaps now we should also think where our daily bread is coming from - Ayee
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