Cargill: Profit Over Life

The desire to become number ONE is a psychosis and today's corporations in their efforts to create the largest profits without thought or care about life, all life, is an unsustainable and sick travesty. I can only think that the root cause of this "out of balance" determination is an underlying state of utter insecurity morphed into sick and blind greed.

Cargill: A Threat to Food and Farming

"Cargill is one of a handful of powerful corporations that control the global agricultural system. Although shoppers will not find Cargill's name on products in markets, Cargill plays a powerful hidden role in producing those foods. The nearly 150 year old company describes itself as an international producer and marketer of food, agricultural, financial and industrial products and services. Cargill is the largest privately owned company in the U.S. and one of the largest sources of grains and oilseeds in the domestic and international market as well as a major player in the U.S. beef and poultry indsutries.

In 2008, Cargill reported profits of almost $4 billion, its sixth straight year of record-breaking earnings, even as much of the rest of the world economy started to collapse.

How does the largest privately owned company in the U.S. impact you?

Plenty.

You may not realize how much you buy at the grocery store has been imprinted by the agribusiness giant Cargill, but Cargill ingredients are everywhere in your supermarket. There isn't any Cargill-brand food but its hidden food products are probably on your dinner table tonight.

Cargill's dominant role in the food system can affect your nutrition, the safety of your food, and the sustainability of food production.

Here's why Cargill matters to shoppers :

Recalls: Cargill has recalled more than 20 million pounds of beef and poultry products tainted with E. coli and Listeria bacteria, respectively since 2000. This recalled meat has been linked to foodborne illness outbreaks, miscarriages, and several deaths.

Unsustainable practices: Cargill has turned a blind eye to environmental destruction and labor abuses taking place as a result of its operations around the world.

Food Stranglehold: In 2008, High prices for the food that Cargill exported worldwide coincided with low prices for the tropical crops that Cargill purchases – benefiting Cargill – and making the ability to purchase food beyond the reach of many rural communities in developing countries.

Know who has an invisible hand in your food. Read the full report.

WHAT YOU CAN DO
Avoid genetically modified, irradiated and carbon monoxide treated foods and tell retailers you don’t want them.

Buy local foods.

Demand stronger oversight and enforcement."

There is an interesting 20 page report to be found at the link above.