Largest Recall of Ground Beef Is Ordered
By ANDREW MARTIN
Published: February 18, 2008
A California meat company on Sunday issued the largest beef recall in history, 143 million pounds, some of which was used in school lunch programs, Department of Agriculture officials announced.
The recall by the Westland/Hallmark Meat Company, based in Chino, Calif., comes after a widening animal-abuse scandal that started after the Humane Society of the United States distributed an undercover video on Jan. 30 that showed workers kicking sick cows and using forklifts to force them to walk.
The video raised questions about the safety of the meat, because cows that cannot walk, called downer cows, pose an added risk of diseases including mad cow disease. The federal government has banned downer cows from the food supply.
Agriculture officials said there was little health risk from the recalled meat because the animals had already passed pre-slaughter inspection and much of the meat had already been eaten. In addition, the officials noted that while mad cow disease was extremely rare, the brains and spinal cords from the animals — the area most likely to harbor the disease — would not have entered the human food chain.
“The great majority has probably been consumed,” said Dr. Richard Raymond, the Agriculture Department’s under secretary for food safety.
The video was embarrassing for the Department of Agriculture, as inspectors are supposed to be monitoring slaughterhouses for abuse. It surfaced after a year of increasing concerns about the safety of the meat supply amid a sharp increase in the number of recalls tied to a particularly deadly form of the E. coli pathogen.
There were 21 recalls of beef related to the potentially deadly strain of E. coli last year, compared with eight in 2006 and five in 2005. No one is quite sure what caused the increase, though theories include the cyclical nature of pathogens and changes in cattle-feeding practices caused by the ethanol boom.
The recall on Sunday was more than four times bigger than the previous record, the 1999 recall of 35 million pounds of ground beef by Thorn Apple Valley, federal officials said.
It was prompted by a Department of Agriculture investigation that found that Westland/Hallmark did not always alert federal veterinarians when its cows became unable to walk after passing inspection, as required.
“Because the cattle did not receive complete and proper inspection, F.S.I.S. has determined them to be unfit for human food and the company is conducting a recall,” Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer said in a statement. F.S.I.S. is the Agriculture Department’s Food Safety and Inspection Service.
Technically, the Department of Agriculture does not have the authority to recall meat. However, it can withdraw its inspectors from a plant, putting pressure on a company to issue a recall.
The company is recalling all its raw and frozen beef products since Feb. 1, 2006. Of the 143 million pounds that were recalled, 37 million went to make hamburgers, chili and tacos for school lunches and other federal nutrition programs, officials said.
Cows that cannot walk are banned for use in the food supply because they pose an added risk of mad cow disease, or bovine spongiform encephalopathy, a fatal disease that eats away at the brain. There have been three confirmed cases of infected cattle in this country since 2003.
The announcement on Sunday was classified as a Class II recall, indicating that the chances of health hazards were remote. Other large recalls involving E. coli have been Class I recalls, indicating that eating the product may cause serious health problems or even death.
Officials at Westland/Hallmark meat could not be located on Sunday for comment.
Some critics pointed out that the recall exposed gaps in the nation’s system for food safety.
“The recall is obviously the big news,” said Wayne Pacelle, president and chief executive of the Humane Society. “The longer-term problem is the inadequacies of the inspection system. How can so many downers have been mistreated day after day within a U.S.D.A. oversight system that was present at the plant?
“We need more boots on the ground at the plants,” he said.
The undercover video, shown on television and on YouTube and other Web sites, has caused an uproar since its release.
The Department of Agriculture started an inquiry and suspended the company as a supplier to federal nutrition programs. Steve Mendell, president of Westland/Hallmark, said afterward that he was “shocked and horrified” by the videos and voluntarily suspended operations pending the outcome of the federal inquiry.
On Friday, the San Bernardino district attorney, Michael A. Ramos, filed animal cruelty charges against two employees fired by the meat company. Daniel Agarte Navarro was charged with five felonies and three misdemeanors, and Luis Sanchez with three misdemeanors.
While acknowledging that most of the meat had been eaten, agriculture officials said the recall was necessary to find all the meat that had not been consumed and because the plant was not following the rules.
“The reason for doing this is because the plant was not in compliance with F.S.I.S. regulations, and therefore it is an unfit product,” said Dr. Kenneth Petersen, assistant administrator for the F.S.I.S.
Department of Agriculture inspectors conduct pre-slaughter inspections on all cattle on the day of slaughter. If an animal becomes unable to walk, before or at the time it is presented for slaughter, employees of the slaughterhouse are required to summon a Department of Agriculture veterinarian.
The veterinarian then has the discretion to determine whether the animal is fit for slaughter. The Department of Agriculture contends that employees at Westland/Hallmark sometimes failed to notify the veterinarian when animals could not walk after being inspected.
Agriculture officials said in a statement that they thought the case was “an isolated incident of egregious violations to humane handling requirements and the prohibition of non-ambulatory disabled cattle from entering the food supply.”
The Department of Agriculture, which is responsible for the safety of meat, poultry and eggs, has 7,800 inspectors who check more than 6,200 plants. In 2007, the agency suspended 66 plants; 12 of which were related to humane handling violations.
Ana Facio Contreras contributed reporting.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/18/business/18recall.html?
USDA makes nation's largest beef recall
By GREG RISLING, Associated Press Writer
LOS ANGELES - The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Sunday recalled 143 million pounds of frozen beef from a Southern California slaughterhouse that is being investigated for mistreating cattle.
Officials said it was the largest beef recall in the United States, surpassing a 1999 ban of 35 million pounds of ready-to-eat meats.
The federal agency said the recall will affect beef products dating to Feb. 1, 2006, that came from Chino-based Westland/Hallmark Meat Co., which supplies meat to the federal school lunch program and to some major fast-food chains.
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.
Federal officials suspended operations at Westland/Hallmark after an undercover video surfaced showing crippled and sick animals being shoved with forklifts.
Two former employees were charged Friday with animal cruelty. No charges have been filed against Westland, but an investigation by federal authorities continues.
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. There have been no reported illnesses linked to the beef at any of the schools.
"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 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 because they typically wallow in feces and their immune systems are often weak.
About 150 school districts around the nation have stopped using ground beef from Hallmark Meat Packing Co., which is associated with Westland.
These products are subject to recall, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture:
• Various weight boxes of WESTLAND MEAT CO., BURRITO FILLING MIX.
• Various weight boxes of WESTLAND MEAT CO., PACKED FOR JACOBELLIES SAUSAGE CO., 74/26 GROUND BEEF.
• Various weight boxes of WESTLAND MEAT CO., RAW GROUND BEEF MEATBALL MIX FOR FURTHER PROCESSING.
• Various weight boxes of WESTLAND MEAT CO., COARSE GROUND BEEF 'FOR COOKING ONLY', FAT: 15%.
• Various weight boxes of WESTLAND MEAT CO., COARSE GROUND BEEF 'FOR COOKING ONLY'.
• Various weight boxes of WESTLAND MEAT CO., COARSE GROUND BEEF TO BE FURTHER PROCESSED INTO COOKED ITEMS, FAT: 15%.
• Various weight boxes of WESTLAND MEAT CO., COARSE GROUND BEEF 85/15.
• Various weight boxes of WESTLAND MEAT CO., COARSE GROUND BEEF 93/7.
• Various weight boxes of WESTLAND MEAT CO., FINE GROUND BEEF 'FOR COOKING ONLY', FAT: 15%.
• Various weight boxes of WESTLAND MEAT CO., FINE GROUND BEEF 'FOR COOKING ONLY'.
• Various weight boxes of WESTLAND MEAT CO., 90 - 10% GROUND BEEF, 3/16 GRIND.
• Various weight boxes of WESTLAND MEAT CO., GROUND BEEF 1 LB. PACKAGE, FAT: 15%.
• Various weight boxes of WESTLAND MEAT CO., GROUND BEEF, FAT: 15%.
• Various weight boxes of WESTLAND MEAT CO., RAW BONELESS BEEF TRIMMINGS, 'FOR COOKING ONLY'.
• Various weight boxes of WESTLAND MEAT CO., RAW BONELESS BEEF, 'FOR COOKING ONLY'.
• Various weight boxes of WESTLAND MEAT CO., BEEF GROUND 50/50% LEAN.
• Various weight boxes of WESTLAND MEAT CO., BEEF GROUND 73/27% LEAN.
• Various weight boxes of WESTLAND MEAT CO., BEEF GROUND 81/19% LEAN.
• Various weight boxes of WESTLAND MEAT CO., BONELESS BEEF 90/10.
• Various weight boxes of WESTLAND MEAT CO., GROUND PORK FOR FURTHER PROCESSING NOT TO EXCEED 30% FAT.
• Various weight boxes of PACKED FOR: KING MEAT CO., BEEF TRI TIP.
• Various weight boxes of PACKED FOR: KING MEAT CO., BEEF TOP SIRLOIN BUTT.
• Various weight boxes of PACKED FOR: KING MEAT CO., BEEF STRIP SIRLOIN.
• Various weight boxes of PACKED FOR: KING MEAT CO., BEEF RIB EYE LIP-ON.
• Various weight boxes of PACKED FOR: KING MEAT CO., BEEF PISMO TENDERLOIN.
• Various weight boxes of PACKED FOR: KING MEAT CO., BEEF O/S SKIRT.
• Various weight boxes of PACKED FOR: KING MEAT CO., BEEF I/S SKIRT.
• Various weight boxes of PACKED FOR: KING MEAT CO., BEEF FLANK STEAK.
• Various weight boxes of PACKED FOR: KING MEAT CO., BEEF BOTTOM SIRLOIN FLAP.
• Various weight boxes of PACKED FOR: KING MEAT CO., BEEF STRIP LOIN BONE-IN, FURTHER PROCESS 1X1.
• Various weight boxes of PACKED FOR: KING MEAT CO., BEEF EXPORT RIB 2X2, FURTHER PROCESS.
• Various weight boxes of REGAL brand USDA SELECT, BEEF RIBEYE ROLL LIP-ON.
• Various weight boxes of REGAL brand USDA CHOICE OR HIGHER, BEEF RIBEYE ROLL LIP-ON.
• Various weight boxes of REGAL brand USDA SELECT, BEEF PLATE, OUTSIDE SKIRT.
• Various weight boxes of REGAL brand USDA CHOICE OR HIGHER, BEEF PLATE, OUTSIDE SKIRT.
• Various weight boxes of REGAL brand USDA SELECT, BEEF PLATE, INSIDE SKIRT.
• Various weight boxes of REGAL brand USDA CHOICE OR HIGHER, BEEF PLATE, INSIDE SKIRT.
• Various weight boxes of REGAL brand USDA SELECT, BEEF LOIN, STRIP LOIN, BONELESS.
• Various weight boxes of REGAL brand USDA CHOICE OR HIGHER, BEEF LOIN, STRIP LOIN, BONELESS.
• Various weight boxes of REGAL brand USDA SELECT, BEEF LOIN, BOTTOM SIRLOIN BUTT, FLAP, BONELESS.
• Various weight boxes of REGAL brand USDA CHOICE OR HIGHER, BEEF LOIN, BOTTOM SIRLOIN BUTT, FLAP, BONELESS.
• Various weight boxes of REGAL brand USDA SELECT, BEEF LOIN, TOP SIRLOIN BUTT, BONELESS.
• Various weight boxes of REGAL brand USDA CHOICE OR HIGHER, BEEF LOIN, TOP SIRLOIN BUTT, BONELESS.
• Various weight boxes of REGAL brand USDA SELECT, BEEF LOIN, TENDERLOIN, FULL, SIDE MUSCLE ON, DEFATTED.
• Various weight boxes of REGAL brand USDA CHOICE OR HIGHER, BEEF LOIN, TENDERLOIN, FULL, SIDE MUSCLE ON, DEFATTED.
• Various weight boxes of REGAL brand USDA SELECT, BEEF FLANK STEAK.
• Various weight boxes of REGAL brand USDA CHOICE OR HIGHER, BEEF FLANK STEAK.
• Various weight boxes of REGAL brand USDA SELECT, BEEF, BOTTOM SIRLOIN BUTT TRITIP BONELESS.
• Various weight boxes of REGAL brand USDA CHOICE OR HIGHER, BEEF, BOTTOM SIRLOIN BUTT TRI TIP BONELESS.
• Various weight boxes of HALLMARK MEAT PACKING BEEF LIVERS.
• Various weight boxes of HALLMARK MEAT PACKING BEEF FEET.
• Various weight boxes of HALLMARK MEAT PACKING BEEF TRIPE.
• Various weight boxes of HALLMARK MEAT PACKING BEEF REGULAR TRIPE.
• Various weight boxes of HALLMARK MEAT PACKING BEEF HONEYCOMB TRIPE.
• Various weight boxes of HALLMARK MEAT PACKING BEEF TAILS.
• Various weight boxes of HALLMARK MEAT PACKING BEEF CHEEK MEAT.
• Various weight boxes of HALLMARK MEAT PACKING BEEF TONGUES.
• Various weight boxes of HALLMARK MEAT PACKING BEEF TONGUE TRIMMINGS.
• Various weight boxes of HALLMARK MEAT PACKING BEEF BONELESS.
• Various weight boxes of HALLMARK MEAT PACKING BEEF RIBS.
• Various weight boxes of HALLMARK MEAT PACKING BEEF HEARTS.
• Various weight boxes of HALLMARK MEAT PACKING BEEF CHEEKS.
• Various weight boxes of HALLMARK MEAT PACKING BEEF PLATES.
• Various weight boxes of HALLMARK MEAT PACKING BEEF SMALL INTESTINES.
• Various weight boxes of HALLMARK MEAT PACKING BEEF LIPS.
• Various weight boxes of HALLMARK MEAT PACKING BEEF SPLEENS.
• Various weight boxes of HALLMARK MEAT PACKING BEEF SALIVARY GLANDS, LYMPH NODES AND FAT [TONGUES].
• Six-gallon containers of HALLMARK MEAT PACKING BEEF BILE.
• One- and six-gallon containers of HALLMARK MEAT PACKING BEEF BLOOD, .2% SODIUM CITRATE ADDED.
Contact the Illinois State authorites in charge of regulated the slop they call food and feed to your children while you are at work.
Illinois NSLP, CACFP (Child), SFSP
Division Administrator
Division of Nutrition Programs & Support Services
Illinois State Board of Education
100 North First Street
Springfield, Illinois 62777-0001
Phone: 217-782-2491
Fax: 217-524-6124
Fox River Grove Middle School
403 Orchard St.
Fox River Grove, Illinois 60021
847-462-2324
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