As the weekend approaches, perhaps you're looking forward to a meal out or sitting in front of the TV with a takeaway. But as you settle down to enjoy that comforting plate of beef or start spooning that fragrant lamb curry over the rice, will you be worrying about whether you are really eating what was written on the menu?
Yesterday it was revealed by the Food Standards Agency that more than a fifth of the 665 meat samples tested last year contained DNA from animals not listed on the label. Of the 145 problem samples, 73 came from supermarkets, while 22 came from processing plants. The remaining 50 all came from restaurants.
I have no doubt that over the next few years, the percentage of meal coming from dubious origins will continue to rise unless something drastic is done. Why? There are two main reasons. First, too many businesses are willing to boost their profits by adulterating their products in the meat industry. I believe there is a systemic problem within the meat industry that makes it particularly attractive to unscrupulous characters who are really nothing more than criminals,the second is the complexity and length of the meat supply chain. If you buy a chicken-based ready meal from a supermarket, as you might imagine, that chicken will pass through many hands before it ends up on your plate here. Worse still, the meat will often he partially processed somewhere along that chain—usually with salt and water added to boost flavour and volume—which is quite legal.
Obviously, it is impossible for consumers to be detectives about every piece of meal they eat.
However, what you can do is to avoid processed foods and never buy ready meals. Stay away from burgers made in factories. Don't go to chain restaurants. Instead, go to local, independent restaurants where it is more likely the chef and owner—often the same person—cares about where the meat comes from, and will be happy to tell you. So, try to buy your meat from a good local butcher.
And no, what I am suggesting is not going to hurt your purse or wallet. The essence, then, is to buy meat that has had as small a journey from field to fork as possible, because that is the only way you can he sure of what you eat. It’s that simple.
42. How does the author feel about what you eat?
A.Disappointed. | B.Concerned. |
C.Confused. | D.Calm. |
43. How does the author introduce the meat you eat is unsafe in Paragraph 2?
A.By holding some activities |
B.By offering some examples. |
C.By making some comparisons. |
D.By using some specific figures. |
44. Which kind of food should you eat for the sake of healthy?
A.Ready meals. | B.Processed foods. |
C.Burgers made in factories. | D.Meat from a good local butcher. |
45. What can you infer from the last paragraph?
A.We should not change our eating habits. |
B.We should focus on the safety of what we eat. |
C.We should take care of our purse or wallet. |
D.We shouldn’t treat our friends to meals in order to save money. |