Earlier this week, the New York Times admonished “the moral depths to which the federal government — working as a handmaiden to industrial agriculture — has sunk in pursuit of cheaper meat and fatter corporate profits.” The editorial board was referring to Michael Moss’ gut-wrenching expose of a facility in Nebraska, where pigs, cows, and lambs suffer immense cruelty – …
Earlier this month, the US Department of Agriculture released a summary of the meat and poultry recalls that were issued throughout 2014 – and the list is a frightening reminder about just how “unwholesome” and unsafe meat can be. Why exactly did 18.6 million pounds of meat get recalled last year? The risk of pathogens, such as E.Coli, Salmonella, and Listeria, …
The 2015 legislation session is now well underway in many states, and with this brings the next desperate round of Ag-Gag bill attempts. In fact, Washington state just introduced such a bill – it aims to criminalize undercover recordings on factory farms and slaughterhouses, similar in nature to laws previously passed in Utah, Idaho, and North Dakota. It’s no wonder that …
The New York City Council just took a momentous step that could make the Big Apple the next – and the largest – city in the US to officially embrace and endorse Meatless Monday. Last Thursday, on the steps of City Hall, over 50 people rallied in support of this healthy-eating initiative, including Jane Velez-Mitchell and NYC Council Member Helen Rosenthal who …
Chickens sneeze! But you knew that, right? You probably saw the YouTube video that went viral over the holidays – but there is so much more to chickens than just their obvious adorableness. Did you know chickens can do math? They might not “scratch three times” when you ask them what 2+1 is, but they are capable of mathematical reasoning …
Great news! Protecting animals is easy in 2015: in fact, choosing compassionate vegan foods is one of the most effective steps each one of us can take to help protect animals. It’s also a great way we can protect our own health. If you’ve made a New Year’s resolution to stand up for your health and for animals, you can …
In a disappointing turn of events yesterday, a federal court struck down a California law that prohibits the sale of foie gras, a cruelty-laden product made from the diseased livers of ducks and geese. This decision, which will hopefully be appealed by the state, means it can once again be sold in California. California’s ban went into effect in 2012 and …
Meat industry balks at proposed dietary guidelines Last week, the U.S. Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee issued its proposed nutrition policy for 2015 that has the meat industry crying foul — and The Washington Post calls it the “meat industry’s worse nightmare.” The current proposal, which will soon re-open for public comments, recommends that Americans eat more fruits and vegetables while …
Starting January 1, 2015, millions of farmed animals being raised in California can no longer be intensively confined inside tiny barren cages or crates, as mandated by law. Thanks to “Prop 2” – a history-making ballot measure overwhelmingly passed by California voters in 2008 under the official title of “The Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act” – egg-laying hens, pregnant pigs, …