Mcdonalds

[globaldesigns]

Please note: my previous post in no way is meant to flame anyone, however I do wish to comment that we should keep our comments to relevant information, as I do think it is way to easy to be negative about business/companies with information that has no basis.

I think if anyone wishes to make a claim, bash, or negatively promote any business, they would hopefully be able to substantiate their comments with valid and relevant facts.

[StirCrazy]

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.

yup, this is true. once again the post you were replying to was posting USA related articles and this is the biggest cause of confusion as the Canadian regulations are way different that US regulations, and the fact most of the articles are older befor the increased regs in the US. Costco Canada uses AAA canadian beef.

as for the feedlot, vs ranch, vs hobby farmer. 99% of beef you used to buy in the stores has spent time at a feed lot, although this has been changing over the last 20 years to a lower percentage, the majority is feed lot cattle. I used to work in a feed lot as a summer job when I was younger and I worked on the family ranch(es) (out of my 10 aunts and uncles 7 of them are still ranchers)

feed lots are not where the cattle grow up, but a stopping point befor getting shipped to the slaughter house. normaly the cattle spend less than a month there, at most if the market is slow 3 months. now in a real bad year maybe a bit longer waiting for the price of beef to rise so they can make a profit. think of them as a holding point till there is enough to make shipping reasonable or till the numbers are sufficient to fill orders.

hobby farmers who run insanly low populations of cattle per acre, usaly justify there proces with value added services. for eg. they have higher prices but throw in cutting, wrapping and delivery, or custom cutting. maybe curing/smoking, sausage ect. or only sell to small butcher shops.


Steve

[Reef Pilot]

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.

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.

[Reef Pilot]

Originally Posted by Reef Pilot

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 before anyone asks for some backup to that, here is one news story. And I know there have been others, but you can google for them yourself.
http://www.ctvbc.ctv.ca/servlet/an/l...shColumbiaHome

Enough of this now,.... I think I should just stick to reefing topics....

[globaldesigns]

Originally Posted by Reef Pilot

And before anyone asks for some backup to that, here is one news story. And I know there have been others, but you can google for them yourself.
http://www.ctvbc.ctv.ca/servlet/an/l...shColumbiaHome

Enough of this now,.... I think I should just stick to reefing topics....

I actually just called Costco, and YES... They do have a special needler machine for tenderizing. At least they don't hide that fact, and I guess needling is quite common now, unless you deal with a smaller butcher. But maybe they also perform this practice also. I just don't know.

No biggie, but you learn something everyday. Costco, IMO still has the best grades (AAA+) at comparable pricing to others at AA grade or lower. I have never gotten a bad piece of any meat from them (chicken, pork or beef).

In regards to date changing or repackaging, as you stated not illegal... But IMO just unethical. Not to keep promoting Costco, but another benefit is that they rotate stock so fast, they don't need to do that. Another bonus I guess.

And yes, I eat on occasion at MickeyD's, ChezRonaldo's, Wendy's Wet and Juicy (HEHE ), not often, but give the kids the odd treat. The real issue I guess with today's lifestyle or eating habits, is try to make a burger for $1.39 (McD's McDouble, or Jr. Chicken)... Sorry, sometimes it is easier, quicker and cheaper to go fast food, than cook your own fast food.

[RuGlu6]

Originally Posted by ScubaSteve

I'm with you on this. I (except on rare occasions) refuse to eat at McDonald's. In fact I refuse almost all American meat as well. I'm not down with the American style of ranching (anyone who's been to a CAFO will agree with me).

My girlfriend and I are heavily involved in the issue of food production; my big beef with the whole food system is ...well... beef (sorry for the pun... just kinda happened). Every day I'm blown away how people (primarily the States) farm cattle and that people continue to eat it. Apparently people don't realize a supermarket steak and a cow are one and the same, and the phrase "you are what you eat" has slipped the minds of the public these days.

I'll only eat our (Canadian) cattle that have been raised to high standards (as most of our cattle are). I've gone so far as to know my rancher personally and to know his cows (He even lets me name my cows). If 16 cows on 160 acres isn't pasture-raised and grass-fed, I don't know what is! And I am happy there are many in Canada who raise their cattle to such standards.

I understand the frustration from a financial point of view. For the farmers who depended on McD's this sucks. But in the end I say good riddance. McD's never much cared for the quality of their product and the bottom line is all that matters to them now. This move shows that more than ever. If I was a rancher I'd refuse to sell to them just knowing that my beef went into such a low-quality product.

Well, that's my rant for the day and I'm off... Tinfoil hat on, and away!!!!


***And yes, this is a letter that has been around for a while. I got if from someone back in the summer (Facebook I think). Comments still stand!

Name a Cow? then eat that cow...that could be bonding..
Sorry couldnt hold it LOL....

[Ross]

Originally Posted by RuGlu6

Name a Cow? then eat that cow...that could be bonding..

As long as you dont buy it gifts and dress it up seasonally...

[Reef Pilot]

Originally Posted by globaldesigns

I actually just called Costco, and YES... They do have a special needler machine for tenderizing. At least they don't hide that fact, and I guess needling is quite common now, unless you deal with a smaller butcher. But maybe they also perform this practice also. I just don't know.

No biggie, but you learn something everyday. Costco, IMO still has the best grades (AAA+) at comparable pricing to others at AA grade or lower. I have never gotten a bad piece of any meat from them (chicken, pork or beef).

In regards to date changing or repackaging, as you stated not illegal... But IMO just unethical. Not to keep promoting Costco, but another benefit is that they rotate stock so fast, they don't need to do that. Another bonus I guess.

And yes, I eat on occasion at MickeyD's, ChezRonaldo's, Wendy's Wet and Juicy (HEHE ), not often, but give the kids the odd treat. The real issue I guess with today's lifestyle or eating habits, is try to make a burger for $1.39 (McD's McDouble, or Jr. Chicken)... Sorry, sometimes it is easier, quicker and cheaper to go fast food, than cook your own fast food.

And to be clear, I am not knocking Costco either. I was just making the point, that most people are not really aware of many of the tricks of the trade when they buy their meat. Meat "gluing" is not the only practice that might surprise some people.

Actually, I have the highest respect for Costco as a retailer and business. Sad to say, but IMO they are much better run than most large Cdn retailers. And you're right about high turnover on their inventory. That does often mean better food quality at the counter.

And same with McDonald's. You don't become the best stock performer on the Big Board (Dow Jones), without doing a lot of things right. They are truly a first class business.
http://www.proactiveinvestors.com.au...011-23731.html

I really should stop now... But if you knew how chickens were raised and sold, you might think twice about eating them. The best way to find out is if you know someone in the Fraser Valley that has a large chicken farm, and get him to take you on a tour. And ask him how long a chicken goes from hatching to being sold to the meat plant. And what and how they feed them to make that happen.

[globaldesigns]

Originally Posted by Reef Pilot

And to be clear, I am not knocking Costco either. I was just making the point, that most people are not really aware of many of the tricks of the trade when they buy their meat. Meat "gluing" is not the only practice that might surprise some people.

Actually, I have the highest respect for Costco as a retailer and business. Sad to say, but IMO they are much better run than most large Cdn retailers. And you're right about high turnover on their inventory. That does often mean better food quality at the counter.

And same with McDonald's. You don't become the best stock performer on the Big Board (Dow Jones), without doing a lot of things right. They are truly a first class business.
http://www.proactiveinvestors.com.au...011-23731.html

I really should stop now... But if you knew how chickens were raised and sold, you might think twice about eating them. The best way to find out is if you know someone in the Fraser Valley that has a large chicken farm, and get him to take you on a tour. And ask him how long a chicken goes from hatching to being sold to the meat plant. And what and how they feed them to make that happen.

Chickens, actually I do... That is real disgusting, disturbing, and for many it may turn them off eating them also (as you stated). So you are right, lets not go there.

[kien]

I've been eating at McDs all my life and my body seems to be holding it together..