Go back to food production, go back to poultry workers

The most noteworthy part I find in “Fowl Trouble” is the brutality to workers in American’s poultry plants. The writer uses broiler chicken as a representative instance, showing the complicated and dangerous procedure of food production. As the article mentions, broiler chicken are harmful because meat inspectors will examine the carcasses. However, they have to examine the carcasses in a very fast speed and other poultry workers have to process chicken quickly because of the rising demand of broiler chicken, which will inevitably cause disorders among poultry workers. “Scissors and knives quickly dull, and workers often lacerate themselves or their neighbors when blades slip off the slimy carcasses.” (Christopher, 14) The fast working speed causes heavy pressure of most employees in poultry plants. Also, these workers are treated indifferently. They are doing one of the most dangerous works but earn very little money. It is necessary for them to wear protective boots, gloves and aprons in that there are many bacteria during the production and quick working speed will easily cause injuries. But many workers just have none of them because they cannot afford any of them. Some workers lose their fingernails while some even lose the use of their hands due to the exposure to the bacteria in the chicken carcasses. Those people who are benefit from the hard work of poultry workers seldom care about the safety and health of their employees. As the article mentions, “Injured foreigners aren't eligible for welfare or disability benefits.” (Christopher, 42) Consumers who are enjoying the “harmless” broiler chicken will not concern about the health of poultry workers either. What a cruel world! This fact tells us that we have to pay attention to the production of food. Moreover, not only the food health, but also the safety and health of poultry worker during the procedure of food production should be widely concerned. And, this idea is the most meaningful and society-friendly part of writer’s tracing of food production.