NEWS FROM:
ANDY MARTIN
“He works for
the People of Illinois”
Republican for U. S. Senator
Suite 4406
30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
(312) 440-4124
ATTENTION: ASSIGNMENT/DAYBOOK EDITORS
ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEWS CONFERENCE: NOVEMBER 14, 2007
U. S. SENATE CANDIDATE ANDY MARTIN LAUNCHES NATIONWIDE CAMPAIGN TO SUSPEND E. COLI CONTAMINATION “LOOPHOLE” IN MEAT INDUSTRY
MARTIN CHALLENGES MANUFACTURERS TO END PROCESSING AND SALE OF CONTAMINATED BEEF
CANDIDATE SAYS U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SHOULD END “COOK ONLY” EXCEPTION FOR CONTAMINATED BEEF, CITES TRANSPORTATION RISKS
(Springfield, IL)(November 14, 2007) Republican U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin will hold a Springfield, Illinois news conference at the State Capitol Press Room, Wednesday, November 14th at 1:00 P.M. to announce that he has opened a nationwide campaign to eliminate E. coli-contaminated meat from the United States food supply.
“Recent media reports that E. coli-contaminated beef is being traded and processed in America’s slaughterhouses is cause for grave concern,” Martin will state. “Our tolerance for serious pathogens should be 0%. Although ‘cook only’ contaminated beef may, and I say may, be safe to consume, this contaminated beef apparently moves in interstate commerce and is actively traded between meat processing and food processing firms. The potential to spread contamination and to develop resistant bacteria is very significant.
“I have asked Secretary of Agriculture Chuck Conner to suspend ‘cook only’ regulations pending further examination of the issue. The problem lies not only in ‘cooking’ itself, but also in transportation. Contaminated beef goes between slaughterhouses and processing plants, leaving open the potential for external contamination. I strongly believe USDA should adopt a zero tolerance policy for E. coli contamination at every stage of meat processing. We will be announcing further steps in the days ahead, including a possible nationwide boycott of manufacturers that purchase and process ‘cook only’ carcasses.
“To paraphrase the old 1984 campaign commercial, ‘Where’s the beef?’ I would ask, ‘Where’s the E. coli and why isn’t it being eliminated from every stage of the meat processing industry?’ Americans should not be hostages to corporate agriculture and mass production that creates massive public health risks.”
Since Andy Martin formed the Illinois Consumer Counsel in 1970 he has been Illinois’ leading consumer advocate. Although Martin specializes in judicial and political corruption, he became the first consumer advocate in cyberspace when he formed the Committee to Fight Microsoft. Martin’s actions helped trigger significant legal restraints on Microsoft Corporation. [See andymartin.com for more detail.] Andy is the leading Republican Party candidate for U. S. Senator to oppose incumbent Democrat Dick Durbin.
NEWS CONFERENCE DETAILS:
WHO: U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin
WHERE: State Capitol Press Room, Springfield, Illinois
WHEN: Wednesday, November 14, 2007 1:00 P.M.
WHAT: Andy Martin opens campaign to protect
America’s meat supply
MEDIA
CONTACT: (312) 440-4124
WEBSITE: AndyforUSSenator.com
E-MAIL: AndyforUSSenator@aol.com
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© Copyright by Andy Martin 2007. Chicago-based Martin holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. Columns also posted at ContrarianCommentary.blogspot.com; contrariancommentary.wordpress.com. Comments? E-mail: AndyMart20@aol.com. Media contact: (866) 706-2639. Web sites: ContrarianCommentary.com.
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