Quote:
Originally Posted by globaldesigns
Actually, a very good family friend is best friends with the president of a Alberta Cattle Assoc... I talked with him once, and he stated that Costco is one of the best places for consumers to get top quality beef.
I am not sure your point about Costco is valid... Just wondering, you use to work for Costco? However I can tell you I got my comments from one of the big guys in the industry.
Costco isn't cheaper in price, but you get higher grade and better cuts compared to places like safeway (local grocery stores). I myself enjoy a good cut of beef (love my striploin), and do buy from Costco.
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Well, Costco sells a lot of meat, and I am sure your friend would defend them. But you should ask him, if any Costco meat is needled and/or injected. Or ask the meat manager at your Costco. It is not such a big secret anymore. It is my understanding that they were the first in Canada to sell needled meat, although others now do it, too.
Costco, Safeway, etc, buy all kinds of meat (and different grades), and mostly from the same sources. It's what happens in the meat plant and how it is packaged and sold as that matters most. I already gave you some sources that explains that further, and you can google more for yourself if you wish.
I am also not saying there is anything illegal or unsafe about it. Our CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency) is probably the most strict and thorough in the world (certainly better than the US). It is just that consumers are not always aware of what they are buying at the meat counter. Cheap is not necessarily better. And Costco is certainly cheaper than Safeway, in BC at least, and likely in Alberta, too.
At the risk of opening up another related controversy, meat repackaging and redating is another not so uncommon practice with some stores. You won't get any to admit that, of course. But there have been a few big exposes by the media with hidden cameras, etc, on some well known large chains. Again, it is not necessarily illegal, as long as the meat is not tainted. It is usually very much against the policy of the chain, but there are individual meat mangers who might do it (to get their bonuses, or not get fired for missing their plans with sales and shrinkage) and a blind eye might be turned to that from time to time.
And no, I have never worked for Costco.
And yes, sorry, we are off topic. I will say again, then, that McDonald's has very high food quality and food safety standards. And no, I didn't work for them either.