Frame: Revenge of the Industrial Food System...

DairyQueen has a hilarious post on The Ethicurean about the latest E. coli outbreak, which I hadn't heard of. She picked up on one of the frames I discussed in my thesis, the modernization frame:

Another day, another recall of ground beef possible tainted with E. coli 0157:H7, aka Revenge of the Industrial Food System. Actually, this is just an expanded recall, voluntary of course, because the USDA has no power to force the companies it regulates to recall their products. Kind of like being the parents of rebellious teenagers. You just hope you raised them right … so they don’t go out and kill people.

In outbreaks like this the modernization frame--aka Revenge of the Industrial Food System--works against reform for two reasons. Either they're proof of the need for even more industrialization:

As usual, this latest E. coli recall has brought out the proponents of irradiation. Those would be the parents that, having raised rotten teenagers, are fine with packing them off to adult jail once they go on their inevitable killing spree. Tough love, people.

or they are the lamentable, but unavoidable side effects of what's needed (supposedly) to feed the masses. Consult your doctor if you experience dizziness, nausea, a lack of appetite...

The really hilarious part of the post, however, is the transcript of DairyQueen's 'conversation' with the FDA's automated food safety question avatar, 'Karen'. I have to quote the whole damn thing:

Hi Karen. Is American beef safe to eat?

All beef is inspected for wholesomeness. Beef found in retail stores is either USDA inspected or inspected by state systems that have standards equal to the Federal government. Each steer and its internal organs are inspected for signs of disease. The Passed and Inspected by USDA seal insures the beef is wholesome and free from disease.

Then why is beef getting recalled for E. coli?

E. coli is short for Escherichia coli. It is a type of bacteria that normally live in the intestines of animals and humans. There are hundres of different kinds, or strains, of E. coli, some of which are harmful, but most of which are not. One strain, E. coli 0157:H7, produces a potent toxin, or poison, and can cause severe illness, kidney failure and even death.

Why is there shit in our meat?

This is a U.S. Government Web site. Our site is here to address the serious topic of food safety and to answer your food safety questions. Please type in a food safety question or exit this site.

Where did E. coli 0157:H7 come from?

E. coli is short for Escherichia coli. It is a type of bacteria that normally live in the intestines of animals and humans. There are hundres of different kinds, or strains, of E. coli, some of which are harmful, but most of which are not. One strain, E. coli 0157:H7, produces a potent toxin, or poison, and can cause severe illness, kidney failure and even death.

What is the USDA’s role in recalls?

A Virtual Representative (vRep) is an automated information source designed to display answers for questions you type about food safety, food inspection, food storage and preparation, food recalls, and many other topics. Please type a question.

Why can’t the USDA tell me where the recalled beef is being sold?

Beef is meat from cattle about 2 years old. A live steer weighs about 1,000 pounds and yields about 450 pounds of edible meat. There are at least 50 breeds of beef cattle, but fewer than 10 make up most cattle produced. Some major breeds are Angus, Hereford, Charolais, and Brahman.

Why is beef with E. coli only being recalled a month after it was sold?

E. coli is short for Escherichia coli. It is a type of bacteria that normally live in the intestines of animals and humans. There are hundres of different kinds, or strains, of E. coli, some of which are harmful, but most of which are not. One strain, E. coli 0157:H7, produces a potent toxin, or poison, and can cause severe illness, kidney failure and even death.

You’re not very helpful. Who created you?

We call our automated information source “Ask Karen”. This FSIS Virtual Representative can answer food safety questions.

Why am I surprised that the USDA is touting a totally useless, toothless automaton as its answer service?

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s mission is to provide leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, and related issues based on sound public policy, the best available science, and efficient management. To learn more about USDA, go to www.usda.gov.

Damn, I bet 'Karen' gets lots of dates in Second Life.