4 ms·

Ah, you're quite right, I made a completely false interpretation of his position. Apologies! However my position has simply been that the response to pink slim

by justsee 14y ago

Ah, you're quite right, I made a completely false interpretation of his position. Apologies! However my position has simply been that the response to pink slime was not entirely irrational / hysterical, considering it originated in the private communication of a Government Microbiologist. I'd also refute your assertion that any health or safety concerns are absolutely specious. It's a very low-quality meat product that is otherwise not fit for human consumption, so on an industrial scale any rational consumer could see that there are potential negative health consequences from some failure in the production line. Approved industrial procedures like feeding cows MBM have triggered BSE in the past, so a natural wariness is entirely reasonable and rational. The emotional response might certainly outweigh the actual risk, but some of the responses in this thread seem to cast concern / opposition in the same light as tribal people scared that photographs steal souls.

Cushman 14y ago
Definitely a good point. I think the thing I'm trying to get at is that those concerns apply to processed foods in general, as you point out; you take the same risk every time you eat a hot dog, or frankly any commercial meat which comes off an assembly line. I'm not saying that's not worthy of concern-- of course, it is. It's just the hysteria surrounding this processed food in particular, especially the "ammonia bath" meme which even made its way to HN, that really irritated me (as has probably been obvious :)
- justsee 14y ago
  Ah sure - I see your point. Yes on the whole it was a bit of emotional hysteria driving reaction to this particular product when the same point could be made regarding all commercial meat production. I suppose it became the perfect poster child to represent the general issue some groups have with modern food production in general (which I'm partly sympathetic to) but I'd agree that making false claims about food safety helps nobody.

by justsee 14y ago

Cushman 14y ago

Definitely a good point. I think the thing I'm trying to get at is that those concerns apply to processed foods in general, as you point out; you take the same risk every time you eat a hot dog, or frankly any commercial meat which comes off an assembly line. I'm not saying that's not worthy of concern-- of course, it is. It's just the hysteria surrounding this processed food in particular, especially the "ammonia bath" meme which even made its way to HN, that really irritated me (as has probably been obvious :)

justsee 14y ago
Ah sure - I see your point. Yes on the whole it was a bit of emotional hysteria driving reaction to this particular product when the same point could be made regarding all commercial meat production. I suppose it became the perfect poster child to represent the general issue some groups have with modern food production in general (which I'm partly sympathetic to) but I'd agree that making false claims about food safety helps nobody.