A California meatpacker accused of animal cruelty is making the largest US meat recall ever, the US Agriculture Department said last night.
Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Co recalled 65 million kilos of its beef produced since February 1st, 2006. USDA said Hallmark violated rules against the slaughter of animals too ill to walk.
Most of the meat, raw and frozen beef products ordered to be recalled, has probably already been consumed, said USDA officials. Some 17 million kilos were bought for school lunches and other federal nutrition programs.
USDA said there was only a minor risk of illness from eating the beef.
The Humane Society of the United States showed videotapes on January 30th showing workers at the plant using several abusive techniques to make animals stand up and pass a pre-slaughter inspection.
These included ramming cattle with forklift blades and using a hose.
"This is the largest beef recall in the history of the United States, unfortunately," said Agriculture Undersecretary Richard Raymond. Based in Chino, California, Hallmark/Westland has been closed since early February.