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> impression that US is a nation of germophobes and FDA regulations Germophobes I don't think so, but there's definitely something to be said about the way the
by gopalv 4y ago
> impression that US is a nation of germophobes and FDA regulations
Germophobes I don't think so, but there's definitely something to be said about the way the regulations are setup to be protectionist of rural voter groups. And food production is a major chunk of those rural economies.
And a lot of cheese is made from excess milk, not the best milk because the best milk goes into the cold chain fresh. So it is politically convenient to make long lasting cheeses to keep the milk prices stable through the year and cut competition from outside importers (even Canada?).
The germs thing is a win-win on that respect. But if it had political negatives, the FDA would "find a way".
PS: "Food that Built America" season 2 is a great collection of anecdotes about all this
- zdragnar 4y agoFood production takes a bit of time to ramp up. Epidemic diseases among livestock and plants can destroy months worth of production capability in a very short period of time. Over-producing (and maintaining the capability to over-produce) is one means of protecting against such calamity. I'm not sure if there are better ways to go about it. True rural voters make up a relatively small percentage of the country's population- 20% or so, depending on where you draw the line. It's not hard to out-vote them, but it is very hard to live without them.
- jollyllama 4y agoIt's all about protecting big business. Hence why all kinds of dubious ingredients are allowed in fast food, but farmers get busted for selling raw milk.
- JasserInicide 4y agoYup. Our dairy industry is a mere few steps away from being nationalized it's so heavily subsidized. Don't tell the rural voters that though, it sounds like communism!