Hamsters Stuffed with Pizza and Wine Grapes

Since at least 1997, a laboratory at the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) has been creating “animal models of obesity” by force-feeding mice and hamsters high-fat foods including hamburgers, French fries, pizza, and pound cake. The experimenters then feed the animals by-products of tomatoes, blueberries, carrots, olives, mushrooms and—in collaboration with the wine industry—Chardonnay, Cabernet and Syrah grapes to measure the effects on animals’ obesity, after which they’re killed and dissected. The purpose? To “increase the commercial value” of wine grapes and other specialty crops.

Pay Out #: 2030-41440-007-00-D (USDA)
Year: 2016
Your Bill: UNDISCLOSED