The Consumer Reports article was quite clear: 70-80% of all US
chickens are contaminated, and buying free-range improves neither
safety nor taste.
   One problem is that 'free-range' is undefined, like 'natural.' One
must have faith, no doubt...
   Another is that, since most fowl are grown under foul conditions,
their offspring on freer range may be contaminated before birth.
Salmonella is increasingly found in uncracked eggs.
   A third is the slaughterhouse, where fecal contamination increases
as labor-saving mechanization increases. 'Untouched by human hands'
is no unalloyed blessing; machines never say "Doh!".
   In less advanced times, nearly a decade ago, Salmonella at US
slaughterhouses ranged from 5% of bodies to 85%; the laggards seem
now to have caught up with progress elsewhere.
   I assume instinctos who remain true to the Faith will assure
themselves that either they can sniff out harmful organisms, Orkos
would not allow contamination, bacteria or parasites are harmless to
purified bodies (at least of humans), or when the bugle sounds
retreat, the critters are Good For You.

   Pet