Theme Analysis
Robin Cook wrote a medical mystery novel called Toxin. In that novel, a cardiac surgeon, named Kim Reggis, loses a daughter to an illness called Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome (HUS). This illness is caused by e-coli bacteria found in contaminated or undercooked beef.
Throughout the book, Robin Cook emphasizes that the meat we eat is less safe than we believe. His recurring theme is that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is not doing their job in properly inspecting meats. He wants to educate people about the importance of properly checking and preparing food, to stop the spread of e-coli, and other food borne bacteria and illness.
Mr. Cook indicates that the main job of the USDA is to be the “official advocate for U. S. agriculture, which includes the powerful beef industry” (p190). As such, the USDA has to convince the American people, and the world, that U. S. beef is safe, and okay to buy. At the same time, the author notes that the USDA has the obligation to inspect the meat processing industry. He says that “the two roles don’t mix” and it is a case of “asking the fox to guard the henhouse” (p190). A USDA inspector, notes later in the book, that there is “too much collusion between the agency and the beef industry”(p226).
The USDA believes, on the other hand, that they are doing a good job of inspecting the beef industry. Their web site indicates that by implementing existing laws concerning the inspection of the food industry, the “American food supply continues to be the safest in the world” (USDA-FSIS). Apparently there is a big difference between what the author thinks about the USDA, and what the USDA believes.
In restating the theme that the USDA is not doing their job in properly inspecting meats, the author creates a story filled with danger and surprises. Perhaps not a surprise is the conclusion that the USDA needs to do a better job. Our health depends on it.