Attack of the Killer Tomatoes... or Peppers... or something that causes Salmonella

The FDA blamed tomatoes for the salmonella outbreaks. A surprisingly short time later peppers became the culprit. After questions, confusion, and few answers, the CDC has come up with a "two-produce" theory where both plants could be culpable (but neither organization).

I can't help but picture a student trying to justify their incorrect multiple choice answers, "A & B aren't mutually exclusive... so I'm circling both." Unfortunately, that only works if the answer isn't C, and if wrong options don't kill Granny McImmunodeficient.

While we don't know what the answer was for sure (and this seems unlikely to change), we do know that trust is limited (after all, how many "trust-falls" go wrong each year?). Do the FDA and the CDC make the cut for your "reliable" list?


I will mathematically prove to you that 1) The FDA and CDC are equals, and 2) That neither gets a good enough grade to make it into my trust circle (ok... not really, but it's a fun coincidence, so I'm going to write it anyway).

(WARNING: the following formulas may decrease your intelligence)

The law of Averages dictates that if we are going to arbitrarily assign a letter grade, it should be the mean of that letter grade. Hence:

• A = 95
• B = 85
• C = 75
• D = 65
• F = 55 (assuming we are gracious on the "F")

Inane Formulas:
The FDA:

• F: 55
• D: 65
• A: 95

Total: 215/300
Percentage: 71.7%
Grade: C-


The CDC

• C: 75
• D: 65
• C: 75

Total of 215/300
Percentage: 71.7%
Grade: C-


Math has spoken and the FDA and CDC get a whopping C-. I expect at least a "B+" out of anyone who may hold my life in their hands at some point.

At least my car is taken care of (AAA = 95%).