Government should do more to protect us from E. coli

The federal government has decided not to incarcerate a Los Angeles, California, man who falsely certified that beef being sold by his employer, Huntington Meat Packing Co., was free from E. coli bacteria — a lie that led to the recall of more than 5 million pounds of potentially-contaminated meat.

While no illnesses were linked to this particular meat recall, countless people were put at risk for serious health problems, including kidney failure.

The government should take more stringent steps to protect people from E. coli bacteria, and they can do this best by urging people to stop eating meat and other animal-based foods.

E. coli bacteria live in the intestinal tracts and feces of warm-blooded animals. Plant-based foods don't naturally harbor E. coli — they only become contaminated when animal manure is used to fertilize crops or leaks into waterways. (Cross-contamination can also occur when produce is placed on the same surface as meat, or when someone doesn't practice proper hygiene when handling food.)

If we all eat tasty vegan meals, E. coli and other harmful pathogens will be less likely to spread and sicken people. For more information and a free vegan starter kit, see www.PETA.org.

Heather Moore

The PETA Foundation

Norfolk, Virginia