Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-06-05
HOW MEAT IS PACKED
CONTINUED from First Psssl


piled on tables rarely washed pushed from
room to room in rotten box carts, in all
OF which processes II was in the way OF
gathering dirt. splinters and moor hlth. II
was always the reply that this meat would
afterwards be cooked and that this s.er-
ilizstion would prevent any danger from
its use. very considerable portion Of
the meat so handled Is sent out as smoked
products and in the form OF sausNEes.
which are prepared to be eaten without
being cooked
"A particularly glaring instance OF I'M
cleanliness was found in room where the
best grade Of sausage was being prepared
for export
Inspection Inadequate.
The report says that the radical defect in
the inspection system is that II II con-
fined at present by law to passing on the
healthfuness OF animals at the time OF
killing, but that me meat that is used
in sausage and the various forms OF
canned products and other prepared meat
foods goes through many processes in all
OF which there is possibility OF contamina
ton through ursanitary handling and FUR
Their danger through the use Of chemicals
During all these processes there is no gov
ihSpNNAioit although Nhtbt piOt-
ucts when sent out bear label stating
that they have been passed upon by gov
eminent inspectors. The report arro .gne
the sanitary provisions in buildings ~
abominable and says men and women
plunge their unwashed hands into the meat
to be converted into food products. The
report says the burden OF protecting the
cleanliness and wholesomeness OF the prod
ucts and the health of the workers and
improving the conditions must fall upon
the national government.
Department superintendents seem to
ignore all considerations, except the ac-
count book" and proper care Of the prod
ucts and Of health and comfort OF the EN-
ployes are impossiblel and the consumer
consequently suffers.
tuberculosis Victims expectorate on the
spongy wooden floors of the dark work
rooms. from which falling scrA ps OF meat
are later shoveled up to be later converted
into food products.
Even the ordinary decencies OF life
are completely ignored" says the report
in discussing the arrangements for men
and women employees.
Degradation of Morals.
The report says;
The whole situation, as we saw IT, in
these huge establishments tends nocessa-
rily and Inevitably to the moral degrade
ton of thousands of workers, who are
forced to spend their working hours under
conditions that are entirely unnecessary
and objectionable, and which are con
slant menace not only to their own health,
but to the health of those who use the
food products prepared by them.
The report urged compulsory examina-
tiontion after slaughter; the inclusion OF
goats, now exempt from inspection, IN
tended for foreign or interstate commerce
In the last subject to the inspection OF
the bureau or animal industry, and that
they should be equally controlled by the
regulations of the secretary Of agriculture;
increase Of inspectors for night inspection
and special work; legislation prohibiting
declarations OF government inspections OF
food products unless subject TO govern
ment inspection at every stage of prepara-
ton; prohibiting interstate transportation
OF any meat or meat food products not in
spected and labeled; urges considering the
question Of specific labelling OF eli car
casses sold as fresh meat which, upon ex-