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The Healthy Difference On Today's THV At 5: What's In Your Beef?

 Robert Bell     21 months ago
Tuesday on Capitol Hill, legislators heard reports into the use of "downed" cattle and whether or not that practice is widespread.
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Some lawmakers are concerned about what they saw at the Hallmark-Westland meat packing plant and they?re taking there concerns to Capitol Hill.

Much of the concern come from a video released last week. It showed deplorable conditions and mistreatment of cattle. Some of the cows being brought for slaughter were unable to walk.

Lawmakers want to know how dangerous it might be to eat meat from downed cattle and how widespread the problem is.

Lawmakers want to know if the food safety system in the United States is broken.

During the hearing, a congressional committee grilled experts and food company executives about the products they send into the food supply.

Michigan Democrat Congressman Bart Stupak says, "Responsibility for supplying safe and wholesome foods does not rest solely with the government."

Attorney William Marler says, "The most important thing is to work with industry, work with consumers, to build safety nets."

The hearing came on the heels of the largest beef recall in American history. Undercover video shot by the Humane Society showed workers at California?s Westland-Hallmark meat packing company shocking and prodding sick cows so they could pass inspection. The company's CEO was a no show at Tuesday?s hearing, but the Humane Society was there.

U.S. Humane Society's Michael Greger says, "We knew downed animals were going into the food supply, but that's legal."

CBS? Susan Roberts reports, "Congress is probing more than beef. In the last year, there were 91 major food recalls covering everything from fresh spinach to peanut butter."

Two of those recalled products were manufactured by Conagra Foods.

Gary Rodkin with Conagra says, "I personally will ensure that we will continuously challenge and improve our food safety programs and make certain that food safety is the centerpiece of our corporate culture."

With one in four Americans suffering from a food-borne illness every year, lawmakers know food safety has to be a top priority for the nation's manufacturers before even more people get sick.

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A new study found that depression medications like Prozac have little medical value for most patients.

The study was done at Hull University.

Doctors there say most patients who suffer from depression can recover without taking drugs.

But they're urging patients to not stop taking your medicines without first talking to your doctor.

---------- Government health officials say we're looking at a bad flu season this year.

The virus is now widespread in 49 states, including Arkansas.

22 children have died around the country.

Flu cases have reportedly increased dramatically in the past 10 days.

A government panel will meet this week to discuss expanding its recommendation on who should be vaccinated.


   

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