• If you are having problems logging in please use the Contact Us in the lower right hand corner of the forum page for assistance.

Cattle On Grass - Agman

TSR

Well-known member
Econ101 said:
RobertMac said:
MRJ said:
Econ, the Beef Checkoff leaders did so......long ago. The research they are coordinating to PROVE the facts is about ready. The next logical step will be to convince the government that the right thing to do is allow health labels to give the details about healthful beef fats to consumers.

MRJ

The proof of the details of healthful beef fats started coming out in the mid-80s...why the rush??????????????

By mechanics, I mean the advertising/propaganda campaign that brought about these changes. I remember the "health" studies at that time that obviously were paid propaganda that made the news. A little quip here, a little quip there. Soon it became the accepted "reality".

MRJ, Beef checkoff did not stop the tide. It failed miserably and we have the results to show it. Stop claiming they did ANYTHING short of making it look as if something was being done.

The proof of harmful hydrogenated fats and oils (trans fats) have been touted by several independent researchers for years but they lacked the funding to promote widespread education about these harmful ingredients which are/were in most packaged foods. Of course it all related to money- hydogenation as I understand it, creates much more of the fat/oil needed in the mass production of packaged products at a much lower price. Kinda like adding more water to the soup to get more soup but in this case the "water" clogs arteries,etc. I am a big Dr. Atkins fan and in all of his writings he talked about the harmful effects of trans fats. As to what forces are now turning the tide against trans fats?? Maybe the big food giants have found a way to produce food products just as cheaply without them due to technological advances. I don't know, but I still think the outcome hinged on the profitability. JMHO
 

RobertMac

Well-known member
Sorry Econ, no, I don't other than more information on the site I provided. I like that site because they back what they say with references...and those references may be where you can find what you are looking for. And, of course(as you know), follow the money!

I don't think it was as much a propaganda campaign as it was the other side (our side) just wasn't presented. Protein producers in this country have never had an effective voice either in the public arena or the political. NCBA has committed to the idea that our prosperity is best served through the multi-national, multi-species commodity corporations. Commodity pricing is about lowest cost. Procurement of raw product is that industries biggest cost so it is foolish to think that they won't try to reduce that cost. By NCBA sitting back and not voicing opposition to the concentration of the processing industry(small and medium plants being bought and shut down or simply run out of business), we, as producers, have lost our direct connection to the source of money in the industry...the consumer! NCBA has stabbed producers in the back and most don't even know it YET! When you have no alternative in the market, you are captive to that market...owning land and cows is irrelevant to market power without an avenue to the consumer. Sorry, I've gotten off track here, but ineffective producer leadership is and has been the problem with beef's image and demand for our product. How long can CBB live off the awards of an ineffective ad campaign?????????? :mad:
 

Econ101

Well-known member
TSR said:
Econ101 said:
RobertMac said:
The proof of the details of healthful beef fats started coming out in the mid-80s...why the rush??????????????

By mechanics, I mean the advertising/propaganda campaign that brought about these changes. I remember the "health" studies at that time that obviously were paid propaganda that made the news. A little quip here, a little quip there. Soon it became the accepted "reality".

MRJ, Beef checkoff did not stop the tide. It failed miserably and we have the results to show it. Stop claiming they did ANYTHING short of making it look as if something was being done.

The proof of harmful hydrogenated fats and oils (trans fats) have been touted by several independent researchers for years but they lacked the funding to promote widespread education about these harmful ingredients which are/were in most packaged foods. Of course it all related to money- hydogenation as I understand it, creates much more of the fat/oil needed in the mass production of packaged products at a much lower price. Kinda like adding more water to the soup to get more soup but in this case the "water" clogs arteries,etc. I am a big Dr. Atkins fan and in all of his writings he talked about the harmful effects of trans fats. As to what forces are now turning the tide against trans fats?? Maybe the big food giants have found a way to produce food products just as cheaply without them due to technological advances. I don't know, but I still think the outcome hinged on the profitability. JMHO

The hydrogenation process also stabalizes fats so they last longer and don't turn rancid easily. It increases the shelf life of food items.

I guess my point here is that the food industry has carved out advantages for themselves at the expense of food quality. It has lowered the cost of food, yes, but is that what we should be doing when it comes to sustinance? Beef has been demonized in the media and the checkoff funds have not been used to do the same thing for the arsenic and antibiotics in poultry. It makes poultry cheaper and disadvantages beef, but the fact is hidden from consumers because, as you have pointed out, there have not been effective campaigns against the self serving dribble coming out of the food industry. The USDA is responsible for regulating these things.

This all points to the fact that the USDA has failed in its efforts to regulate the food industry. Our society ends up paying for the disinformation campaigns in increased medical expense. It is another economic cost shifting allowed by a regulatory agency that is FAILING.
 

Latest posts

Top