The US Department of Agricul-ture (USDA) has ordered the recall of 65 million kilograms of frozen beef from a California slaughterhouse, the subject of an animal-abuse investigation, that provided meat to school lunch programs.
Officials said it was the largest beef recall in the US, surpassing a 1999 ban of 16 million kilograms of ready-to-eat meats. No illnesses have been linked to the newly recalled meat and officials said the health threat was likely small.
The recall, announced on Sunday, will affect beef products dating to Feb. 1, 2006, that came from Chino, California-based Westland/Hallmark Meat Co, the federal agency said.
Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer said his department had evidence that Westland did not routinely contact its veterinarian when cattle were 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 from the Humane Society of the United States surfaced showing crippled and sick animals being shoved with forklifts.
Five felony counts of animal cruelty and three misdemeanors were filed against a pen manager with Westland. 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 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.
Officials estimate that about 17 million kilograms of the recalled beef went to school programs, but they believe most of the meat has already been eaten.
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