Pig 05049

Pigs. Some people love 'em, others won't come near them. For both groups this book is an eye-opener to think about where our goods come from.

From Design Observer...

When Dutch designer Christien Meindertsma traced what happened to the body parts of a specific commercially raised pig, she discovered a lot more than packaged meat. That single animal, Meindertsma found, contributed to a mind-boggling number of products — 185 items in all, from chewing gum to bone china.

Over three years, Meindertsma connected the dots from her pig to a Netherlands company that handles all of the country’s slaughtered animals, to the smaller companies that process animal remains, and then to 185 distinct end products.

Not surprisingly, much of the pig was bound for the table in the familiar forms of meat. In addition, calcium from the bones was used to fortify yogurt. The pig’s nose, after being deep-fried, became a dog snack. What is surprising is the staggering array of non-food products that incorporate parts of the pig. Who knew it took pig fat to make automobile paint? Or that hemoglobin from pig blood is used in cigarette filters? Bone ash, Meindertsma found, went into train brakes, bone meal into the coating for aluminum molds, and gelatin from the pig’s skin and bones was deployed by an American weapons manufacturer to help distribute powder to bullets.

If you're interested in purchasing the book, it's available on Amazon.