There is shit in the meat.

Probably my fav line from the book...the portion of the book (Fast Food Nation) that focuses on the slaughterhouses and meatpacking industry gave a grisly view of what really goes on in there...the taking advantage of migrant workers...the high rate of injury...the focus on getting as much meat through as possible while discounting safety or hygiene...


"The cattle now packed into feedlots get little exercise and live amid pools of manure."


Due to rising grain prices, slaughterhouses look to feed less expensive "materials" to cattle. About 75% of cattle in US were routinely fed livestock wastes - the rendered remains of dead sheep and dead cattle - until Aug, 1997. They were also fed millions of dead cats and dogs purchased from animal shelters. FDA banned this after the outbreak of mad cow disease. Alas, they are still fed dead pigs and horses today. COWS!!! ARE!!! HERBIVORES!!!!

Today, regulations now also allow cows to be fed dead polutry, but allow poultry to be fed dead cattle. Nice.

Waste products from poultry plants - including sawdust and old newspapers are also fed to cattle.

In 1994, 3 million pounds of chicken manure were fed to cattle.

All of this is tied to the spread of dangerous e. coli and get this - the USDA does not have the power to force a meatpacker to recall meat. Money talks in Congress.

Sick. Sick. Sick.