Rob asked: >Do you feel that the risk of pathogenic organisms in meat and poultry is >reduced in free-range/grass fed animals? There is more than a feeling that you reduce the risk of pathogens with grass fed meats. There is solid reserach to back it. Here is an exerpt from an article my husband wrote on grassfed animnal products, explaining whey they are better. The article explains about the increased content of vitamin E, carotenoids, EFAs, CLA, and other good things when animals are fed on grass and hay rather than grain. If you can afford it, and it doesn't always cost more, it's wise to select grass fed meat over grain fed meat, even if the graid fed meat or poultry is organic. If that is not possible, choosing hormone and antibiotic meat and poultry is the next best thing, preferably from a small, local farmer. Bye Bye E. Coli When animals are raised on grains, they become host to the deadliest strain of E. coli bacteria; the National Academy of Sciences estimates that one of every three grain fed cattle is infected with this strain. Grain fed animals have bacterial counts over 300 times that of animals that are fed pasture and hay and little or no grain. In contrast, pasture fed animals have practically no detectable levels of the most dangerous, acid resistant strains of E. coli. Grain carbohydrates feed the growth of acid resistant E. coli; grass and other pasture foods do not. Consequently, grass fed animals do not need to have antibiotics as a supplement to their diets. NOTE: There is a fantastic article in the July 2000 issue of Smithsonian, vol. 31, issue 4, p. 64. It's 12 pages long---fascinating, entertaining reading, skillfully written with wit, wisdom, vim and vigor. It's about Joel Saliton, a pioneer in the grass fed movement. Salitan has written books and created videos for people who want to raise animals in a way that mimics their feeding practices in nature. His farm is ecological, efficient, and profitable without subsidies, drugs, or harm to nature. His meats are super nutritious and popular. THIS ARTICLE IS MUST READING. You can surely access it on line or get your librarian to find it. I don't have time to find the links and all that, but I wanted to share this. Also visit <www.eatwild.com> if you've not been there. We found a grass farmer within two hours of our house. He is willing to deliver. I've found customers for him to make his visits to us worthwile. You may be so lucky! Or you may need to take a field trip! Healthfull and good luck, Rachel