SoCal slaughterhouse at center of recall

[Guest guest]

SoCal slaughterhouse at center of recall

GREG RISLING- Associated Press Writer - 2/18/2008 5:55:00 AM

LOS ANGELES- An undercover video showing crippled and sick animals being

shoved with forklifts has led to the largest beef recall in the United

States and a scramble to find out if any of the meat is still destined

for school children's lunches.

 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Sunday ordered the recall of 143

million pounds of beef from a Southern California slaughterhouse that is

the subject of an animal-abuse investigation.

The recall will affect beef products dating to Feb. 1, 2006, that came

from Chino-based Westland/Hallmark Meat Co., the federal agency said. The

company provided meat to various federal programs.

Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer said his department has evidence that

Westland did not routinely contact its veterinarian when cattle became

non-ambulatory after passing inspection, violating health

regulations.

" Because the cattle did not receive complete and proper inspection,

Food Safety and Inspection Service has determined them to be unfit for

human food and the company is conducting a recall, " Schafer said in

a statement.

A phone message left for Westland president Steve Mendell was not

returned Sunday.

Agriculture officials said the massive recall surpasses a 1999 ban of 35

million pounds of ready-to-eat meats. No illnesses have been linked to

the newly recalled meat, and officials said the health threat was likely

small.

Officials estimate that about 37 million pounds of the recalled beef went

to school programs, but they believe most of the meat probably has

already been eaten.

" We don't know how much product is out there right now. We don't

think there is a health hazard, but we do have to take this action, "

said Dr. Dick Raymond, USDA Undersecretary for Food Safety.

Federal officials suspended operations at Westland/Hallmark after an

undercover video from the Humane Society of the United States surfaced

showing crippled and sick animals being shoved with forklifts.

Two former employees were charged Friday. Five felony counts of animal

cruelty and three misdemeanors were filed against a pen manager. Three

misdemeanor counts _ illegal movement of a non-ambulatory animal _ were

filed against an employee who worked under that manager. Both were

fired.

Authorities said the video showed workers kicking, shocking and otherwise

abusing " downer " animals that were apparently too sick or

injured to walk into the slaughterhouse. Some animals had water forced

down their throats, San Bernardino County prosecutor Michael Ramos

said.

No charges have been filed against Westland, but an investigation by

federal authorities continues.

About 150 school districts around the nation have stopped using ground

beef from Hallmark Meat Packing Co., which is associated with Westland.

Two fast-food chains, Jack-In-the-Box and In-N-Out, said they would not

use beef from Westland/Hallmark.

Most of the beef was sent to distribution centers in bulk packages. The

USDA said it will work with distributors to determine how much meat

remains.

Federal regulations call for keeping downed cattle out of the food supply

because they may pose a higher risk of contamination from E. coli,

salmonella or mad cow disease since they typically wallow in feces and

their immune systems are often weak.

Upon learning about the recall, some legislators criticized the USDA,

saying the federal agency should conduct more thorough inspections to

ensure tainted beef doesn't get to the public.

" Today marks the largest beef recall in U.S. history, and it

involves the national school lunch program and other federal food and

nutrition programs, " said U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin, chairman of the

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry.

" This begs the question: How much longer will we continue to test

our luck with weak enforcement of federal food safety

regulations? "

Advocacy groups also weighed in, noting the problems at Westland wouldn't

have been revealed had it not been for animal right activists.

" On the one hand, I'm glad that the recall is taking place. On the

other, it's somewhat disturbing, given that obviously much of this food

has already been eaten, " said Jean Halloran, director of food policy

initiatives at Consumers Union. " It's really closing the barn door

after the cows left. "