Posted with permission from Confined Space, a newsletter of workplace safety and labor issues.
Poison Food, Poisoned Workers: Eyal Press of The Intercept writes about chronic health problems that have plagued Jessica Robertson since she began working as a part-time U.S. Department of Agriculture poultry inspector at a turkey processing plant, most likely from peracetic acid which is used to remove bacteria from the carcasses of chickens and turkeys. USDA had ignored her complaints about the chemical and allegedly retaliated against her. Now she and other USDA whistle blowers are speaking out. “Their story is a reminder that, even as consumers have grown increasingly vigilant about buying meat that is naturally and humanely processed…the inhumane conditions endured by the people who work in America’s slaughterhouses remain hidden from view.” There are other safer and more humane ways to raise animals free from the risk of food borne illness.