This week’s episode with Gail Eisnitz hit hard for me—and I suspect it will for you, too.
Gail has spent decades documenting what happens inside U.S. slaughterhouses: the animals, the workers, and the inspectors who witness it all—often without the power to stop it. Her 1997 book, Slaughterhouse, remains essential reading for anyone who wants to understand how we got here.
Why I’m Bringing This to Your Attention
There’s a lot competing for our attention right now. But this is something you may not have heard about—and importantly, something you can actually act on.
In February, the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) introduced two proposed rules that would significantly increase slaughter speeds in the U.S.
Here’s what that looks like:
- Chickens: Up to 175 birds per minute (nearly 3 per second)
- Turkeys: Up to 60 birds per minute
- Pigs: No maximum limit at all (current cap of 1,106 per hour would be removed)
The USDA presents this as a way to modernize “outdated” regulations and lower food costs.
The Other Side of the Story
Gail sees it very differently.
Based on her decades of investigation, faster line speeds mean:
- More conscious animals entering scalding tanks
- More injuries for already overworked employees
- Less time for inspectors to catch violations
And there’s more.
The proposed rules would also remove the requirement for slaughterhouses to report worker safety data to regulators.
The reasoning? FSIS claims it does not have the authority to oversee worker safety.
Take a moment with that.
This Isn’t Law Yet — And That Matters
These are proposed rules—not finalized ones.
That means there’s still time to respond.
📅 Public comment deadline: April 20, 2026
Federal agencies are legally required to consider public comments before finalizing rules. And your comment doesn’t need to be long or technical—it just needs to exist.
The more individual voices submitted, the harder it becomes to ignore public concern.
How to Take Action
You have a few options:
- Submit a comment through the official federal portal
- Use the Humane Farming Association’s streamlined form
- Visit the Federal Register docket and click “Submit a formal comment”
Every voice counts.
A Final Thought
Going vegan may be one of the most powerful daily choices you can make. But it’s not the only way we create change.
We also vote with:
- Our voices
- Our dollars
- Our communities
- And sometimes, an actual ballot
About Gail Eisnitz
After 60 years of searching for answers to her own health struggles—often dismissed by doctors—Gail found her life’s work in exposing what others refuse to see.
She went on to become one of the most fearless investigators for animal protection in America.
Her memoir, Out of Sight, is part medical mystery, part exposé—and it may leave you wondering what else is hiding in plain sight.
The USDA Wants to Speed Up Slaughter Lines—You Still Have Time to Speak Out
This week’s episode with Gail Eisnitz hit hard for me—and I suspect it will for you, too.
Gail has spent decades documenting what happens inside U.S. slaughterhouses: the animals, the workers, and the inspectors who witness it all—often without the power to stop it. Her 1997 book, Slaughterhouse, remains essential reading for anyone who wants to understand how we got here.
Why I’m Bringing This to Your Attention
There’s a lot competing for our attention right now. But this is something you may not have heard about—and importantly, something you can actually act on.
In February, the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) introduced two proposed rules that would significantly increase slaughter speeds in the U.S.
Here’s what that looks like:
The USDA presents this as a way to modernize “outdated” regulations and lower food costs.
The Other Side of the Story
Gail sees it very differently.
Based on her decades of investigation, faster line speeds mean:
And there’s more.
The proposed rules would also remove the requirement for slaughterhouses to report worker safety data to regulators.
The reasoning? FSIS claims it does not have the authority to oversee worker safety.
Take a moment with that.
This Isn’t Law Yet — And That Matters
These are proposed rules—not finalized ones.
That means there’s still time to respond.
📅 Public comment deadline: April 20, 2026
Federal agencies are legally required to consider public comments before finalizing rules. And your comment doesn’t need to be long or technical—it just needs to exist.
The more individual voices submitted, the harder it becomes to ignore public concern.
How to Take Action
You have a few options:
Every voice counts.
A Final Thought
Going vegan may be one of the most powerful daily choices you can make. But it’s not the only way we create change.
We also vote with:
About Gail Eisnitz
After 60 years of searching for answers to her own health struggles—often dismissed by doctors—Gail found her life’s work in exposing what others refuse to see.
She went on to become one of the most fearless investigators for animal protection in America.
Her memoir, Out of Sight, is part medical mystery, part exposé—and it may leave you wondering what else is hiding in plain sight.
<< Back To My Blog
Let's Do This Together
Ditch what isn’t working and get guidance and support
to help you on your vegan journey!