CSU #6

CSU#6 Economic Geography

Article Title:  EU horse meat scandal exposes dangers of globalism

Written by:  Mark Wachtler

Dated: February 24, 2013

URL:  http://www.examiner.com/article/eu-horse-meat-scandal-exposes-dangers-of-globalism

Image included with the article that indicates distributers and brands affected

Summary:

Wachtler’s article chronicles the discovery of horsemeat in a wide range of beef products that are commonly distributed and consumed throughout much of Europe. Apparently, labels detailing product contents were changed from horsemeat to beef. The horsemeat was traced back through a web of suppliers to a Romanian company. The Romanian supplier indicated that the products were clearly marked horsemeat when the goods left their processing plant and they must have been changed at a later time. All seven of the European companies that purchased Romanian meat denied having altered the labels.

Watchler goes on to propose other factors that may have contributed to the mislabeling. Recently Europe banned beef bi-products known as disinewed meat. Essentially, disinewed meat was the leftovers of the cow carcasses ground into a form of meat. The elimination of the beef bi-products is thought to have sent some companies looking for a cheap alternative to offset the loss in profit stemming from the ban on beef bi-products.

A University Professor, Elizabeth Dowler, interviewed for the article pointed out that the food system is largely controlled by the private sector and is driven by profit, not by the well being of the public. She commented that the horsemeat scandal would cause local corporations to take a small financial hit for this act of dishonesty and greed. Dowler predicted that people would return to buying beef that was not processed and perhaps even purchasing from the local butcher. Where buying higher end products and locally sourced products might not be possible for poorer consumers, Dowler suggests that these people will still purchase less-processed products, but they will simply choose to eat less.

Analysis:

Wachtler’s article highlights a number of the factors that accompany globalism as it relates to the food that we consume. Clearly having a limited number of large companies involved in production and distribution means that altered or contaminated food can quickly be disseminated over wide areas. With increased globalization and ease of shipping world-wide, there is huge potential for food issues to become even widespread. Despite having agencies that control and monitor food quality, the majority of control lies with the private companies involved in processing our food. Furthermore, when companies are trying to minimize production costs and maximize profits they may choose to purchase product from countries where food safety, labeling and monitoring is not as stringent as in other countries. Some countries will also offer tax incentives to encourage companies to do business with them.

What Wachtler does not address is the other negative impacts that globalization can have on our food supplies. Global trade of both product and livestock can spread disease to humans and animals in other countries. Tainted products or products manufactured in countries with no quality controls can have global impact.  For example, tainted milk products from China shipped to Europe. Additionally, food conglomerates shipping unhealthy products around the world has led to obesity in countries that previously had no problems. Globalization has brought many benefits, but impacts to food safety and quality will be an ongoing challenge.