U.S. Census Bureau Daily Feature for August 30

WASHINGTON, Aug. 30, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following is the daily "Profile America" feature from the U.S. Census Bureau:

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 30: MEAT INSPECTORS

Profile America — Tuesday, August 30th.  There have been an increasing number of disturbing stories in the last few years about people made ill by tainted meat.  Millions of pounds of meat have been recalled and many Americans have become familiar with the name of the bacteria e-coli.  These incidents have come in spite of a rigorous federal meat inspection program and have prompted calls for a review of policies for dealing with meat identified as having problems.  The first meat inspection law passed by Congress was approved on this date in 1890, but was limited to products and animals intended for export.  Americans now eat an average of 61 pounds of beef each year, along with 46 pounds of pork and 73 pounds of poultry.  You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau, online at www.census.gov.

Sources:  Kane's Famous First Facts, 4179

Statistical Abstract of the United States 2011, t. 213

Profile America is produced by the Public Information Office of the U.S. Census Bureau. These daily features are available as produced segments, ready to air, on a monthly CD or on the Internet at http://www.census.gov (look for "Multimedia Gallery" by the "Newsroom" button).  

SOURCE U.S. Census Bureau