Paging A Barf Bag: Juici's Vegetarian Patties Contain Kidney Fat!!

Someone I know was happily chowing down on their Juici Vegetarian Patty when they were asked, "Why are you eating beef suet?". I am not sure what happened immediately after the question was asked, but I assume shocked expressions and some gagging ensued. A little while later a call was made to Juici to find out if beef suet was indeed included in patties that catered to the vegetarian/vegan crowd. The surprising answer was that all Juici Patties contain beef suet.

Oh no they didn't!

Hordes of us have been innocently licking our lips after many a Juici veggie patty and now we are racing to the loo as we imagine how much kidney fat we have unwillingly ingested over the years.

I am queasy as I type this, but I must go on.

So, as the story continues, a complaint was then made to Jamaica's Consumer Affairs office, asking them to contact Juici and have the company make it clear for all customers that even their veggie patties contained non-veggie items. As of the time of this report, the CAC has stated that

1) the Juici patty crust does have kidney fat, and that this ingredient is noted if you purchase a box of patties, but not a bag
2) Juici tried using non-animal materials in the crust, but the taste was not up to par
3) Vegetables and soy are the only fillings
4) Customers should buy the veggie loaf if they don't want any animal fat

First, thanks to the CAC for following up and for their timely response. Secondly - LOL! Who buys a box of patties for lunch? Most consumers use the bag. Most vegans/vegetarians do not want to consume meat, and would like to be told if a vegetarian meal includes meat, because that would never be the expectation. Finally, buy the veggie loaf instead? LOL! Seriously? I bought a patty, because I wanted a patty.

Discussions are still underway. Resolution is quite simple though - Juici, just let your consumers know about the kidney fat. And please, please, find a non-animal alternative - it can be done and still taste yummy.

What a sad day it is. No more Juici veggie patties for now - until the meat is removed. *Sob* Come on, Juici. Do better for your loyal customers. We know you can!

Update - July 23, 2008

The Management of Juici Patties, based on conversations with the CAC, has decided to put up signs in their branches advising customers about the ingredients contained in their veggie and soy patties.

Yay-progress. Let's see how soon these signs will be posted. I also hope the company tries to find a non-meat alternative for the crust, because those patties - and the customers - are worth it!

You got Beef? Moo-ove it to the trash. USDA recalls 143 Million Pounds of Beef

The USDA has issued the largest beef recall in U.S. history: 143 million pounds of beef recalled from a slaughterhouse accused of shoddy treatment of cows. According to CNN, 143 Million lbs. is about enough meat for everyone in the U.S. - man, woman and child - to each have 2 hamburgers.

The meat in question is from the Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Company in Chino, California. The recall is Class II, i.e. there is little risk of illness in humans. However, the USDA has said that there is a "remote probability" that the beef could cause illness.

Federal officials issued the recall after seeing undercover videos shot by a humane society inside the slaughterhouse. In the videos you see 'downer animals', i.e. cattle too sick to even stand, being kicked, jabbed near their eyes and aggressively pushed with a forklift in order to force them to get on their feet for slaughter. The cattle were butchered and made ready for human consumption, without the proper examination for chronic illnesses by an authorized inspector. This violation of federal regulations has apparently been running unchecked for the last two years.

Sick and sad, but the uglier part is that the beef from this company is primarily used for school lunch programs: ~37 Million pounds of the meat has already been distributed to schools.

The President of Westland Meat, Steve Mendell, issued the following statement, " We have taken swift action regarding the two employees identified on the video and have already implemented aggressive measures to ensure all employees follow our humane handling policies and procedures."

Vegan, anyone?

Butt Is It Really Appetizing?

I recently went out to dinner at a restaurant on the West Coast and saw the following meal listed on the menu:

Brasato - Braised pork butt, lacinato kale with garlic, tomatoes, and rosemary potatoes

I don't eat meat, but I was surprised that the chef thought that using the word "butt" to describe any meal would be appetizing. I dare say that even meat eaters would agree with me. Right, Donald? (http://kerijam.blogspot.com/2007/07/interview-with-meat-eater.html).

When the waitress came by I decided to get to the bottom (pun intended) of the mystery. She said that she would ask the chef and get back to me. A few minutes later she returned and explained that the chef hates the word "rump" and refuses to have that word on the menu. Hence, the use of the more acceptable "butt".

Go figure. Don't mess with an artist.

Interview with a Meat Eater

Donald Walters - Meat Eater

Kingston, Jamaica

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Background & Context
Hello, my name is Keri Smith and I am a pescatarian. That is, a vegetarian who eats seafood. When I share that I am a pescatarian with certain segments of the population - after the "Presbyterian" jokes have run their course, I get shocked looks, shouts of "yuck", and/or pitying comments about how could someone ever survive on that diet. I count myself lucky though, the reaction is even worse for my vegetarian...and dare I say, vegan, brethren. The segment of the population I am referring to? Hard-core meat eaters; they think that ketchup is a vegetable and that a truly satisfying meal must include pork, beef, goat, or chicken - fish does not count.

I am fascinated by these extremely loyal fans of meat and so decided to find out more about their passion for eating animals. The following is an excerpt from my discussion with my friend - Donald Walters - a proud meat eater, hailing from Jamaica.

Interview
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Keri: Donald, why do you hate vegetarians?

Donald: Well, I don't hate vegetarians, but I don't like vegetables by themselves. Lettuce, tomato, pickles in a burger...sure

Keri: What did they ever do to you, these vegetables that you hate?

Donald: Guns by themselves cannot do anything to you but it is the person(s) behind them. My mother and father forced me to eat these things. Plus, they taste nasty when eaten alone.

Keri: Guns? Wow! You really have strong feelings about vegetables! Ok, so what is so appealing about meat? Do you have an affinity for blood?

Donald: Well, it just tastes better than "so so" vegetables and I wouldn't say I have an affinity for blood.

Keri: You are right, sorry about that. I also used to eat meat, i.e. until 2002, so no offence - just trying to sensationalize the interview...that appears to be what sells magazines these days :). So, you seem to consider some vegetables to be acceptable. How have these passed the test?

Donald: Yeah, some passed the test if they are boiled or steamed (carrots, cabbage, other leafy things) or taste good in a sandwich.

Keri: Sounds logical. So back to the beginning...you said your parents forced you to eat vegetables...as a relatively new parent yourself, what tactics will you employ with your son, Seth?

Donald: Well, given the statistics that vegetables have more benefits than meat, unfortunately I have to torture him as well, but with a mixture, not full-blown vegetables alone. Plus, I torture myself to eat them when he is around (Hypocritical to the cause...I know...)

Keri: Umm, sounds rough (?!!). Are you passionate about all types of meat?

Donald: No, just a few...oxtail, pork, and I like turkey neck too.

Keri: Ok. Would you be open to lunch or dinner at a vegetarian restaurant?

Donald: Ahhh...not sure...I think so just to tttry and see what is there...if there is anything interesting.

Keri: Wow! I know how much that took out of you. Any final thoughts?

Donald: I never knock vegetarians, in fact vegetables are good for you, it is just that I don't like them...yuk for now.