McDonald's and Target Cuts Ties to Sparboe Farms After Video of Animal Abuse

I just watched a newly released undercover video from Mercy For Animals showing abuse of hens at the largest restaurant egg producers, Sparboe Farms. This farm supplies eggs to McDonald's. The Sparboe eggs were on recall last year due to Salmonella.

I've eaten these eggs for several year so I contacted the company and got a reply within minutes with this link:
http://www.sparboeupdate.com/

McDonald's Corp. said Friday the behavior shown on the video is "disturbing and completely unacceptable." The fast food chain says it demands humane treatment of animals by suppliers.

* Update *
Late Friday, Target confirmed that it had not only dumped Sparboe as a supplier, but was also pulling Sparboe eggs off the shelves at Super Target stores nationwide.

"Having been made aware of the unacceptable conditions in the company's egg laying facilities, effective immediately, Target will discontinue its business relationship with Sparboe Farms," the Minnesota-based retailer said in a press release. "We are currently in the process of notifying our stores to remove the product from our shelves."

A new Mercy For Animals undercover investigation into a McDonald's egg supplier, Sparboe Egg Farms, exposes the fast-food giant's secret ingredient: shocking cruelty to animals.

Hidden-camera footage taken at Sparboe facilities in Iowa, Minnesota and Colorado reveals:

Hens crammed into filthy wire cages with less space for each bird than a standard-sized sheet of paper to live her entire miserable life, unable to fully stretch her wings or engage in most other natural behaviors

Workers burning off the beaks of young chicks without any painkillers and callously throwing them into cages, some missing the cage doors and hitting the floor

Workers grabbing hens by their throats and ramming them into battery cages

Rotted hens, decomposed beyond recognition as birds, left in cages with hens still laying eggs for human consumption

A worker tormenting a bird by swinging her around in the air while her legs were caught in a grabbing device - violence described as "torture" by another worker

A worker shoving a bird into the pocket of another employee without any regard for the animal's fear and suffering

Chicks trapped and mangled in cage wire - others suffering from open wounds and torn beaks

Live chicks thrown into plastic bags to be suffocated

Here's the link to the video but please be warned, it is very disturbing.

Here's a copy of the letter send to Sparboe Farms after the FDA inspection:

http://www.fda.gov/ICECI/EnforcementActions/WarningLetters/ucm280413.htm

I don't eat at McDonald's - I did buy the Sparboe Farms eggs from my local grocer because they were local. Back to the farmer's market for me to get my farm eggs from pasture raised hens!

Beyond Organic Healthy Food

FDA Warns Bio Gaudiano Brand Organic Olives Stuffed with Almonds May Put Consumers at Risk For Botulism

FDA Warns Consumers Not to Eat Bio Gaudiano Brand Organic Olives Stuffed with Almonds

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Nov. 4, 2011 - FDA warns consumers not to eat Bio Gaudiano brand Organic Olives Stuffed with Almonds
This product may put consumers at risk for botulism

Fast Facts

• FDA is warning consumers not to eat any Bio Gaudiano brand Organic Olives Stuffed with Almonds.
• Pure Italian LLC of Watertown, Mass., the U.S. distributor, in conjunction with the manufacturer and packer, Bio Gaudiano of Italy, is voluntarily recalling all sizes and lots of Bio Gaudiano Organic Olives Stuffed with Almonds. This product has been linked to a botulism outbreak in Europe.
• There are no reported cases of illness related to this product in the United States.
• Consumers should return the product to the place of purchase or dispose of it in a sealed container in the trash so that people and animals, including wild animals, can't get to it.

What is the Problem?
Health authorities in Europe have reported two cases of botulism in Finland involving hospitalization. The consumption of Organic Olives Stuffed with Almonds from Italian manufacturer Bio Gaudiano has been linked to these illnesses. Reports from the European health authorities indicate that samples of this product have tested positive for botulinum toxin, which causes botulism.

What are the Symptoms of Illness/Injury?
Botulism is a serious, potentially fatal illness caused by eating food contaminated with botulinum toxin. Although cases are rare, botulism attacks the nervous system, and in its severe forms, can cause respiratory failure. Symptoms include double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, and muscle weakness. Symptoms usually begin 18-36 hours after eating contaminated food, but they can occur as early as six hours or as late as 10 days.
 
Who is at Risk?
Anyone who eats food contaminated with botulinum toxin – whether adults or children – is at risk and can be affected.

What Do Consumers Need To Do?
Consumers should not eat any and all Bio Gaudiano brand Organic Olives Stuffed with Almonds. If the product is still on hand, consumers should return it to the place of purchase or dispose of it in a sealed container in the trash so that people and animals, including wild animals. Consumers exhibiting any symptoms of botulism should see a health care provider immediately.

What Does the Product Look Like?
The recall of this product includes all batches and all sizes of Bio Gaudiano brand Organic Olives Stuffed with Almonds, including those in glass jars and metal cans. Photos of the products are provided below.

Where is it Distributed?
According to information FDA has received from Pure Italian LLC, the U.S. distributor of this product, the product was initially distributed only to Massachusetts retailers.
314 ml glass jars of this Bio Gaudiano brand Organic Olives Stuffed with Almonds may have been sold at SoWa farmers market in South End, Mass. In addition, the following stores in Massachusetts may have repackaged and resold the almond-stuffed olives in containers that do not carry the Bio Gaudiano name: Foodies Fresh Market, Boston, Mass.; Russo's, Watertown, Mass.; and Fresh Choice Supermarket, Framingham, Mass. If you have any questions, please talk to the retailer before purchasing or eating almond-stuffed olives.

What is Being Done about the Problem?
FDA continues to work with the distributor to ensure that products are removed from the marketplace.

Who Should be Contacted?
Consumers who have purchased Bio Gaudiano brand Organic Olives Stuffed with Almonds of any size or lot are urged to discard, destroy or return the product to the place of purchase. Contact Pure Italian LLC at 617-372-1659 or 617-331-2062 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET for more information.
The information in this press release reflects the FDA’s best effort to communicate what it has learned from the manufacturer and the state and local public health agencies involved in the investigation. The agency will update this page as more information becomes available.

For more information:
Botulism, general information from CDC
http://www.cdc.gov/nczved/divisions/dfbmd/diseases/botulism/
Pure Italian LLC Recalls Bio Gaudiano Brand Stuffed Olives With Almonds Because Of Possible Health Risk

Beyond Organic Healthy Food

Rice - A - Roni Recall - Rice Pilaf Flavor

Rice-A-Roni Issues Voluntary Recall on a Small Quantity of Specific Family Size Rice-A-Roni Rice Pilaf Flavor Product Due to Undeclared Milk Allergen

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - November 4, 2011 - Rice-A-Roni has initiated a voluntary recall on a small quantity of specific family-size boxes of Rice-A-Roni Rice Pilaf flavor due to an undeclared milk allergen.  This product was originally distributed to stores located in California and Arizona. People who are allergic to milk run the risk of a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.

The affected product is limited to 10.8 ounce family-size boxes of Rice-A-Roni Rice Pilaf flavor with the UPC Bar Code ending in 43004 and Best Before Date of JUL 30 12 B stamped on the bottom of the box. Consumers with a milk allergy who have this product in their possession should return it to the retailer where it was purchased for a full refund.

No other Rice-A-Roni or Pasta Roni products are affected. People who do not have milk allergies can eat this product without concern.

Rice-A-Roni is in the process of recovering the product involved and is in contact with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ensure the continued safety of those consumers who may be impacted by this issue.
The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the product may have had cross contact with products that contain milk.

Consumers with questions may contact us by calling the toll-free hotline at 800-421-2444 or visit ricearoni.com.

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Beyond Organic Healthy Food