An accusation of violations in meat producing standards by the California food processing company Westland/Hallmark Meat Company have promoted The USDA (usada.gov) to make the largest beef meat recall action in U.S. history. 143 million pounds of beef are recalled by USDA.
The beef recall announcement by the USDA came on Sunday, which involves the recall of frozen beef produced during the past two years by the Westland/Hallmark Meat Company.
Last week federal officials made undercover videos that showed crippled and sick animals being shoved into the slaughterhouse by a worker on a forklift.
"Regulations call for the removal from the food supply of cattle that are unable to walk because they carry higher risk for a number of diseases, including Mad Cow disease," reports VOA News
According to USDA it is extremely unlikely any of the sick animals at the plant had Mad Cow disease.
In a statement by Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer Regarding Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Company two year beef meat recall Schafer said "I am dismayed at the in-humane handling of cattle that has resulted in the violation of food safety regulations at the Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Company. It is extremely unlikely that these animals were at risk for BSE because of the multiple safeguards; however, this action is necessary because plant procedures violated USDA regulations."
Today's issue of eMaxHealth in it's article titled Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Company Beef Meat Recalls has also published the statement by Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Company regarding to the Beef Recall.
USDA Actions Q&A About This Beef Recall
Q. Why didn't USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service immediately suspend operations at Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Company?
A. On Feb. 4, FSIS issued a Notice of Suspension based on the Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Company's failure to maintain and implement controls to prevent the inhumane handling and slaughter of animals at the facility required by USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) regulations and the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act. Issuing a Notice of Suspension is a normal course of action when FSIS finds egregious violations of humane handling regulations. The suspension will remain in effect and the plant will be unable to operate until written corrective actions are submitted and verified by FSIS to ensure that animals are handled and slaughtered humanely.
Q. Why didn't FSIS suspend the establishment upon learning of the allegations?
A. FSIS initiated the investigation after receiving allegations of inhumane handling of cattle at the Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Company. The plant voluntarily ceased operations on Friday, Feb. 1, pending Agency investigation that led to verification of alleged activities documented in undercover videos.
On Feb. 4, FSIS suspended inspection at Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Company, and the plant will not be able to resume operations until they adequately respond to the Notice of Suspension. The response must explain how these violations occurred, what actions they have planned to address the violations, when they plan to implement those changes and must demonstrate that it has acceptable corrective actions in place. When the Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Company is permitted to resume operations, FSIS inspectors will increase oversight and verification of the plant's implementation of the corrective actions.
Q. When can Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Company resume operations?
A. The Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Company must first respond to the Notice of Suspension and submit a corrective action plan to address its failure to properly implement the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act and FSIS regulations. FSIS must first verify that the plan they submit fully and completely addresses the findings in the Notice of Suspension to ensure the humane handling and slaughter of animals at the facility.
Q. Has the Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Company responded to the Notice of Suspension?
A. To date, the Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Company has not submitted a response to the Notice of Suspension to FSIS.
Comment and add to the story without registration, but keep the comments meaningful please. Links are not accepted.
