# Bacon sucks **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [April 5, 2019, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bacon-sucks/832099 "2019-04-05T18:25:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/try2b_comprehensive/32/65_2.png) [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2019, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bacon-sucks/832099/1 "2019-04-05T18:25:31Z")
Trump administration to slash USDA pork inspections, including tests for salmonella, E. coli > [@](#): > > Under the proposed new inspection system, the responsibility for identifying diseased and contaminated pork would be shared with plant employees, whose training would be at the discretion of plant owners. There would be no limits on slaughter-line speeds. > The “responsibility” for keeping contaminated meat out of the plant would be transferred to industry employees, but there are no hard requirements for how, or if, those workers will be trained to identify specific diseases or contaminants. There would similarly be no requirement that the plant operate at a speed that would even allow for plausible visual inspections, and no requirement that plants publicly disclose the results of their own disease testing, a move that could delay identification of new outbreaks. > **[Trump administration to slash USDA pork inspections, including tests for...](https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/4/3/1847489/-Trump-administration-to-slash-USDA-pork-inspections-including-tests-for-salmonella-E-coli)** > > The Washington Post reports that the Trump administration plans to slash the number of federal inspectors in the nation's pork-processing plants by about 40 percent. The change, which could take place next month, is part of the Republican press to... I used to like bacon and “the other white meat” in general. But minus food safety measures? No thanks. I have to agree with the commentators who are comparing this move with airplane regulators regulating themselves, resulting in a 737 design that sets the controls for the center of the Earth, killing everyone aboard in a flaming crash. Only now it is to be mass outbreaks! Yay, deregulation! Krugman has a more generalized take: Donald Trump is Trying to Kill You > **[Opinion | Donald Trump Is Trying to Kill You (Published 2019)](https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/04/opinion/trump-deadly-deregulation.html?action=click&module=Opinion&pgtype=Homepage)** > > Trust the pork producers; fear the wind turbines. I wouldn’t mind hearing from the pro-poisoned food camp, but I’m putting this in the pit where people can treat infected pork the way it deserves. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2019, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bacon-sucks/832099/2 "2019-04-05T18:29:29Z")
Speaking on behalf of the AUU(American Undertakers Union), I fail to see the problem with this change in regulation. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2019, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bacon-sucks/832099/3 "2019-04-05T18:35:02Z")
What’s the problem? Cuts down on Federal overreach, which is good for reasons. And the pork industry will do their utmost best to insure comprehensive inspections are taking place, and will only allow meat that has passed their own rigorous internal inspection to be shipped out. They definitely won’t cut any corners, ignore any regulations, or send any bad meat just to save a couple of bucks because of reasons. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2019, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bacon-sucks/832099/4 "2019-04-05T18:42:28Z")
“the responsibility for identifying diseased and contaminated pork would be shared with plant employees, whose training would be at the discretion of plant owners.” Republicans always have the smartest ideas! ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2019, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bacon-sucks/832099/5 "2019-04-05T18:47:00Z")
Salmonella? No, that’s just extra flavor! ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2019, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bacon-sucks/832099/6 "2019-04-05T18:50:01Z")
Who in the Trump administration stands to benefit by this. That is the ONLY question that needs to be asked. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2019, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bacon-sucks/832099/7 "2019-04-05T18:52:00Z")
The Boeing 737 Max is a good example of the consequences of insufficient regulatory oversight. The quest for profit and competitive advantage led to design decisions so egregiously flawed under the “self-certification” regime [that the FAA and Congress itself are now being implicated](https://www.cnn.com/2019/04/05/politics/washington-boeing-737-max-regulations/index.html). So it’s no surprise that the Trumpsters (motto: “everything we do is stupidly and exactly wrong”) are now clamoring for more of the same. And Boeing is, relatively speaking, the epitome of responsible management compared, say, to those in the business of slaughtering pigs for profit. ---
**Author:** ![MindsEye\_Watering](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mindseye_watering/32/3619_2.png) [@MindsEye\_Watering](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MindsEye_Watering)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2019, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bacon-sucks/832099/8 "2019-04-05T18:52:43Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Salmonella? No, that’s just extra flavor! Salmonella? It’s not a bug - it’s a feature! ---
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2019, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bacon-sucks/832099/9 "2019-04-05T21:12:56Z")
Joke’s on you, my bacon’s beef bacon. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2019, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bacon-sucks/832099/10 "2019-04-05T21:18:08Z")
Just don’t eat it raw. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2019, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bacon-sucks/832099/11 "2019-04-05T21:19:02Z")
> [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](#): > > Joke’s on you, my bacon’s beef bacon. Beef “bacon”? I’m pretty sure the joke’s on _you_. ---
**Author:** ![naita](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naita/32/5862_2.png) [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2019, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bacon-sucks/832099/12 "2019-04-05T21:22:28Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Just don’t eat it raw. Also don’t touch it with your bare hands, or let it touch any of your kitchen implements, unless you sanitize them before using them again. There’s the risk of bacterial contamination that leaves behind toxins that aren’t removed by cooking. ---
**Author:** ![Anny\_Middon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bc79bd/32.png) [@Anny\_Middon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anny_Middon)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2019, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bacon-sucks/832099/13 "2019-04-05T21:28:31Z")
What happens if Trump gets a bad case of the trots from his McD’s Cheesy Bacon Fries? My bet is the admin quickly reverses itself and reinstates pork inspections. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stainless_steel_rat/32/5727_2.png) [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stainless_Steel_Rat)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2019, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bacon-sucks/832099/14 "2019-04-05T21:28:45Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > What’s the problem? Cuts down on Federal overreach, which is good for reasons. > > And the pork industry will do their utmost best to insure comprehensive inspections are taking place, and will only allow meat that has passed their own rigorous internal inspection to be shipped out. They definitely won’t cut any corners, ignore any regulations, or send any bad meat just to save a couple of bucks because of reasons. Manson, I hope you know a good doctor who can extract your tongue from your cheek… I wonder if anyone in the administration has bought stock in pre-cooked bacon companies (yes, it is a thing: [https://www.kroger.com/p/oscar-mayer-fully-cooked-bacon/0004470006841](https://www.kroger.com/p/oscar-mayer-fully-cooked-bacon/0004470006841)) ---
**Author:** ![Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/try2b_comprehensive/32/65_2.png) [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2019, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bacon-sucks/832099/15 "2019-04-05T21:52:03Z")
I’ve never heard of beef bacon. I guess there is still turkey bacon, and tofu bacon, but pork bacon is at once slimy, salty, greasy, meaty and also wiggly. I am going to miss it. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2019, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bacon-sucks/832099/16 "2019-04-05T22:13:28Z")
> [@Anny\_Middon](#): > > What happens if Trump gets a bad case of the trots from his McD’s Cheesy Bacon Fries? My bet is the admin quickly reverses itself and reinstates pork inspections. You’re assuming he has a human intestinal tract. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2019, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bacon-sucks/832099/17 "2019-04-05T22:17:10Z")
> [@naita](#): > > Also don’t touch it with your bare hands, or let it touch any of your kitchen implements, unless you sanitize them before using them again. There’s the risk of bacterial contamination that leaves behind toxins that aren’t removed by cooking. Don’t we already do all that for chicken? Now, let’s see, I need to go sanitize my counters. I’m pretty sure there’s germs and contaminated matter laying around waiting to kill me. Argh! ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2019, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bacon-sucks/832099/18 "2019-04-05T22:17:51Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > You’re assuming he has a human intestinal tract. He eats, and it comes back out as bullshit. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2019, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bacon-sucks/832099/19 "2019-04-05T22:19:57Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > He eats, and it comes back out as bullshit. That would be a major selling point for his fans. “Our guy is a BULL! Match that, you wimpy Democrats!!!1!!” ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2019, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bacon-sucks/832099/20 "2019-04-05T22:43:19Z")
I was expecting to be able to endorse the OP, but when I went looking for something non-partisan, I found this: > **[gao-02-59.pdf](https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-02-59.pdf)** > > 1647.69 KB > **[gao-13-775.pdf](https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-13-775.pdf)** > > 4.83 MB The first basically says that everything’s either the same or better (particularly if you include observations from similar programs in Canada). The latter does point out that there aren’t the training regimens being established that other countries have used, but that’s a theoretical concern more than a real one given the actual results. If worse, it doesn’t seem like it’s extremely so. Something about it seems to free up government workers to do more useful tasks, in terms of ensuring safety, and allow the workers to do a better job of spreading the menial labor of safety all the way through the system. It sounds like there’s a genuine fix for a problem that was requiring Federal workers to do all the safety, while not actually being stationed at those locations or having the staffing to spend enough time at the locations to oversee everything. So while there may be negatives, it is counterbalanced for the most part and could in theory become a better system if training standards were set. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bacon-sucks/832099.md?page=2)