This leeway is ostensibly allowed by the government, and demanded by meat-processing companies, because the “trade secrets” of those companies’ meatpacking technologies must be protected. Because of the meatpacking and processing companies’ leverage with the federal government-and with the aid of lobbyists who support various political campaigns of congressmen-the USDA is often forced to merely implore or cajole companies, rather than force or fine them, which means that the companies can then choose how and when to recall the meat. Schlosser notes the difficulties the USDA faces in demanding recalls of meat products-even beef that has been demonstrated to possess virulent strains of dangerous pathogens.
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