- Harris Ranch, Costco’s beef supplier, is facing backlash for admitting to vaccinating its cattle, raising concerns about food safety and transparency among consumers.
- Critics, like Tom Renz, argue that vaccines, especially mRNA-based ones, in food are misleading and harmful, even though Harris Ranch uses conventional vaccines.
- Harris Ranch defends its vaccination protocols as part of its commitment to animal welfare and disease prevention, working with animal welfare expert Dr. Temple Grandin to ensure humane treatment.
- The article clarifies the difference between conventional and mRNA vaccines used in cattle, emphasizing that mRNA vaccines are not currently approved for use in beef cattle in the United States.
- The controversy highlights the growing importance of trust and transparency in the food industry, as consumers demand clear labeling and information about their food choices.
Article by Willow Tohi, republished with permission from Naturalnews.com
In an era where consumers are increasingly vigilant about what goes into their food, Costco’s beef supplier, Harris Ranch, has ignited a firestorm of controversy by openly admitting to vaccinating its cattle. While the company touts its commitment to animal welfare and sustainable practices, the revelation has left some consumers questioning the safety and transparency of their food supply. For many, the idea of vaccines in their beef is not just unsettling — it’s a dealbreaker.
The backlash: vaccines in food?
The debate over vaccines in livestock is not new, but it has taken on a new urgency in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise of mRNA vaccine technology. Critics like Tom Renz, a prominent advocate for natural health and consumer transparency, have voiced strong opposition to the practice. “This is a big deal for me,” Renz tweeted. “My family uses Costco a lot, and the fact that they are poisoning their ‘organic’ beef with ‘vaccines’ is both misleading and horrific.”
Renz’s concerns are echoed by a growing number of consumers who are wary of vaccines in their food, particularly those involving mRNA technology. While Harris Ranch has clarified that it uses conventional vaccines — not mRNA-based ones — the distinction has done little to assuage fears. For many, the mere presence of vaccines in their food is enough to raise red flags.
Harris Ranch’s defense: Animal welfare and food safety
Harris Ranch, a California-based beef producer, has long prided itself on its commitment to animal welfare and sustainable farming practices. In a 2019 statement, the company outlined its approach to raising cattle, emphasizing humane treatment, disease prevention and high-quality beef production. “We ensure humane handling because Harris Ranch controls all aspects of production—from where and how our cattle are raised through feeding, processing and distribution,” the statement reads.
The company’s vaccination protocols are part of a broader strategy to minimize disease and reduce the need for antibiotics. Most beef producers do use at least some vaccines. “Vaccination protocols to prevent common bovine diseases, supplementation with minerals to support a strong immune system, and low-stress cattle handling can help accomplish this goal,” the statement explains. Harris Ranch also works with Dr. Temple Grandin, a renowned animal welfare expert, to design facilities and practices that prioritize the well-being of its cattle.
Despite these assurances, the revelation that Harris Ranch vaccinates its cattle has left some consumers feeling betrayed. For those who prioritize organic and natural foods, the idea of vaccines in their beef is at odds with their values. “If you care enough to buy organic, wouldn’t you want to know if the food you are paying extra for is laden with gene therapy poisons?” Renz asked in his tweet.
The science behind livestock vaccines
To understand the controversy, it’s important to distinguish between conventional vaccines and mRNA vaccines. According to Dr. Lew Strickland, an Associate Professor and Extension Livestock Veterinarian, conventional vaccines for cattle fall into two categories: modified-live virus (MLV) vaccines and killed vaccines. MLV vaccines contain a weakened form of a live virus, while killed vaccines contain an inactivated virus. Both types are designed to stimulate an immune response without causing disease.
mRNA vaccines, on the other hand, are a newer technology that uses genetic material to instruct cells to produce a protein that triggers an immune response. While mRNA vaccines have been widely used in humans during the COVID-19 pandemic, they are not currently approved for use in cattle. “There are no current mRNA vaccines licensed for use in beef cattle in the United States,” Strickland clarified in a post. “Cattle farmers and ranchers do vaccinate cattle to treat and prevent many diseases, but presently none of these vaccines include mRNA technology.” That may have been true at the time, but scientists have been working on them in the time since.
Historical context: Vaccines and food safety
The use of vaccines in livestock dates back to the early 20th century, when diseases like foot-and-mouth disease and brucellosis threatened both animal and human health. Vaccines have since become a cornerstone of modern agriculture, helping to prevent outbreaks and ensure a stable food supply. However, the rise of organic and natural food movements has led to increased scrutiny of these practices.
For some consumers, the issue is not just about safety — it’s about transparency. “Will Costco label their ‘organic’ food that has been exposed to gene therapy poisons so consumers can decide whether to eat it or not?” Renz asked. While Harris Ranch has clarified that it does not use mRNA vaccines, the lack of clear labeling has left many feeling in the dark.
The road ahead: Trust and transparency
As the debate over vaccines in food continues, one thing is clear: trust and transparency are more important than ever. For companies like Harris Ranch and retailers like Costco, the challenge will be to balance the need for disease prevention with the growing demand for natural and organic foods. For consumers, the challenge will be to navigate an increasingly complex food system with confidence and clarity.
In the meantime, the controversy serves as a reminder that the choices we make about our food are deeply personal—and that the conversation about what’s on our plates is far from over. Whether you’re a staunch advocate for natural health or a proponent of modern agriculture, one thing is certain: the debate over vaccines in food is here to stay.
Sources include:
Why Real American Beef Is Under Attack (and 3 Reasons Why Beef Is Unique)
Why Real American Beef Is Under Attack (and 3 Reasons Why Beef Is Unique)
Over the last few months, it has become blatantly clear that American beef and the ranchers that produce it are under attack on multiple fronts. Feed and equipment prices are skyrocketing faster than inflation dictates. The largest food producers are importing risky, cheaper beef from other nations. Fires and industrial accidents have plagued the industry at unprecedented rates. They're now saying avian flu is spreading through entire herds of cattle.
Then, there's the fact that cows have become the ultimate climate change boogeyman. Add in the border invasion, a new push to inject cattle with mRNA vaccines, and inexplicable regulations popping in quietly from Washington DC and it's impossible to ignore that the American cattle industry is in the midst of a polycrisis.
"When we launched in 2022, we knew beef was going to be important to supply to Americans but we didn't anticipate it would get this bad this quickly," said JD Rucker, co-founder of Prepper All-Naturals. "I'm somewhat of a conspiracy theorist but even my wildest notions about the beef industry being under attack have been eclipse by the current reality."
Prepper All-Naturals specializes in high-quality long-term storage steak cuts. Their Ribeye, NY Strip, Tenderloin, and "Original Steak" products are shelf-stable for 25-years without the use of preservatives or antibiotics. The beef is cooked sous vide, then freeze dried and stored in mylar bags with oxygen absorbers so the steak cubes can retain both maximum flavor and nutrition.
"It's obvious that the beef industry is under attack, but people often ask me why," Rucker said. "What makes beef so special that it deserves so much emphasis?"
According to Rucker, it comes down to control. The powers-that-be abide by the first tenet of the late Henry Kissinger who said, "Who controls the food supply can control the people."
Beef is unique in three ways:
1. It is among the only foods that are high in crucial protein, zinc, and iron. This is one of the reasons why Prepper All-Naturals chose to freeze dry rather than dehydrate as freeze drying retains the most nutritional value while extending the shelf life dramatically.
2. Beef is challenging to acquire if it's not purchased from retailers or directly from ranchers. Americans can grow a garden for vegetables and grains. Raising chickens is neither difficult nor expensive and does not require a large plot of land. Fish can be caught in accessible bodies of water. But acquiring and raising cattle is expensive and requires land, equipment, and expertise.
3. The beef industry would be the hardest to rebuild if it crumbles under the various crises. Chickens can be slaughtered as early as six weeks after hatching. Cattle are typically slaughtered after 14-20 months. If the beef industry is crippled, it would take far longer to replenish than chickens, fish, or pigs.
"We're working as hard as we can to produce and sell as much beef now as possible," Rucker said. "In the near future, we believe beef prices will rise dramatically which will make it very challenging for Americans to purchase and store away shelf-stable steaks."
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