No, Bacon Will Not Disappear from California Markets

[MineralMan]

Someone posted the story from USA Today, as it was published at the link below:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/food/2021/08/01/california-bacon-ban-state-enforce-animal-welfare-proposition/5447260001/

The headline of the USA Today story was:

"Could you live without bacon? Bacon may disappear in California as pig rules take effect"

So, some people took that headline and parts of the overwrought story to mean that selling bacon in California would become illegal soon. THAT IS NOT TRUE!

What is true is that a law passed as an initiative in California a few years ago is finally going into effect. That law requires ALL pork products, not just bacon, to be produced from pigs raised in more spacious surroundings, as specified in the law.

What does that mean to California consumers? Essentially nothing, actually. It's a law that can't be enforced on pig farmers outside of the state of California. It might be enforced within California and, no doubt, pig farmers in that state will eventually comply. However, it would be impossible to enforce in other states. It would also be impossible to trace bacon supplies back to farms that don't follow California's sensible, but non-standard rules.

So, there will be bacon, pork chops, and luncheon meat in supermarkets in California, despite this law. The law is essentially unenforceable on the retail level, and bacon is produced in many states. Consumers will not have to "live without bacon." USA Today overstated the impact of this law to provide a headline that would attract readers to its website. Standard practice, these days, from that struggling news outlet.

Another interesting thing from that thread was the response from those who would like to see everyone stop eating meat altogether. For that group, the USA Today story offered another opportunity to make their point.

Critical thinking was also missing in that thread. There will be bacon. I guarantee that. The price will go up a little, but bacon will continue to be available in California and in every other state in the USA. USA Today sensationalized a story to get clicks and increase ad revenue on its website. That is the real story here.

[DBoon]

1. It's another "evil libs want to take your favorite things away"

A few months ago it was hamburger.

Now its bacon.

Next month it will be Bud Lite.

[MineralMan]

3. That, too.

It's on the same level as blaming Biden for high gasoline prices in California. He had nothing to do with that, but he makes a good target for the right due to those higher prices.

[Bettie]

7. High gasoline prices anywhere

it is summer, they are always high in summer. This summer, people are eager to go and do things, thus they will pay the price so it was probably nudged higher by that. Sigh.

[MineralMan]

9. Well, gas prices went up in Minnesota, too.

They're way lower than in California, which has some of the highest state gasoline taxes in the USA. The right-wingers are just trying to put the blame on the biggest target. California regularly increases taxes on such things as a revenue generator. That's the work of its state legislature and Governor, not the Biden administration.

Of course, CA is trying to recall its Governor. I suspect that will not happen, though.

[ms liberty]

2. Way too many people fall for the distraction of the shiny object

[MineralMan]

4. Yes, especially if it serves to reinforce some position one holds.

I think farm animals raised for slaughter should be treated humanely. However, they will still be killed to feed people. This new regulation will not change the market for pork or bacon. Pigs will still be slaughtered to provide meat for the table.

Pig farms might have to give the doomed animals a little more space, but they will still be killed and processed. Packages of Hormel bacon will still be in stores without interruption.

[Igel]

5. California's not even in the top 16 pork-producing states.

https://downloads.usda.library.cornell.edu/usda-esmis/files/rj430453j/w0893814g/g732f676c/hgpg0621.pdf

[MineralMan]

8. Correct. It's in the "other states" category.

No doubt, California hog farms will probably comply with the new rules, which will be enforced by the Department of Agriculture in that state. Perhaps they already have, and make up most of that 4% that is in compliance.

However, California cannot regulate agriculture in any other state. That would require federal regulations, not regulations just in one state, no matter how large.

[Bev54]

6. It is "the sky is falling" crowd that panic at everything

[Treefrog]

10. Well, one thing I know is there are a lot of posters who fall for every kind of clickbait.

And Twitter tweet.

I read those mostly for the giggles.

Thank you for this. Rec.

[MineralMan]

11. Thanks for the kick and rec.

[NotASurfer]

12. It'll be a selling point in CA

I've seen that with for example eggs letting you know they are from hens allowed to roam instead of caged. Some consumers will support pork products from pigs given better quality of life.

[MineralMan]

13. Yes, for some it will, of course.

It's interesting that only bacon was mentioned in the story. In reality, the new regulations apply to all pork products, not just bacon. Ham, pork chops, pork-based sausages, pork in luncheon meat, lard, and all other pork products. People like bacon. They like it a lot, so that was the focus of the sensationalistic story.

[hunter]

14. Yeah, I do have an agenda...

... tamales don't have to be made with pork.