Why are school lunches less safe than fast food?

Know what's less safe for our nation's children than fast-food? Their school lunch! A recent investigation by USA Today found that the meat sold to U.S. school cafeterias faces less testing and lower safety standards than the meat that's served in most fast-food restaurants — outlets that aren't otherwise known for their health consciousness and are as cost-conscious as the most passionate deficit hawk.

That's right: McDonalds, KFC, and Jack in the Box test the ground beef they buy five to 10 times more frequently than the USDA tests beef for U.S. school lunches! And these fast-food restaurants have for years refused to buy certain kinds of lower-quality meat and chicken which the USDA continues to accept.

Tell the USDA to adopt higher standards and put our children's safety first!

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    Stand up for safer meat and better school lunches
    Dear Friend,

    I just sent my comments to Secretary Vilsack asking that the USDA improve the food safety testing of the meat served to our school children. It's vital that each and every meal served to America's school children contain meat that is both as safe and well tested as the meat that's served at McDonald, KFC and Burger King. With your help, we can help make that happen.

    Will you please stand with them today?

    Thank you!

    Add a short note (optional, up to 500 characters):

    Below is a copy of the message that we will send to Secretary Vilsack:

    “It is unacceptable that USDA standards for school lunch meat purchases do not match, or exceed, the fast food industry's standards. We, the undersigned, demand that you immediately order the Agricultural Marketing Service to implement emergency measures to increase testing for pathogens. Within 60 days, the AMS should have in place standards and testing procedures that meet or exceed those of industry-leader Jack in the Box.”
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