USDA Issues Largest Recall of Ground Beef

According to many sources (CNN Los Angeles Times, The Associated Press) the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued the largest recall in history. The recall is asking for 143 million pounds of frozen ground beef (from a California slaughterhouse) to be returned. According to the recall notice "No illnesses have been linked to the newly recalled meat." Officials believe the health threat is small (class II recall)., New York Times,

The USDA said that the recall will affect beef products dating to Feb. 1, 2006, that came from the Chino-based Westland/Hallmark Meat Co., located in California. The same California slaughterhouse has been under investigation for alleged animal abuse.

An undercover video from the Humane Society of the United States was released on January 30^th, 2008 showing sick animals being shoved with forklifts. Also, the video showed workers kicking, shocking and abusing animals that were apparently too sick or injured to walk into the slaughterhouse.

Cattle that becomes "non-ambulatory" is, by USDA Federal regulations, unfit for human consumption and should be discarded. However, since the video allegedly showed workers forcing "downed" non-ambulatory animals to the slaughterhouse, the food that came from it should be recalled as per USDA regulation since it is not safe for human consumption. Downed cattle should be kept out of the food chain supply because a higher risk of contamination by E. coli, salmonella or mad cow disease.

Around 37 million pounds of the recalled beef was used to make hamburgers, chili and tacos for school lunches and other federal nutrition programs. However, as many officials have already said they do not know how much of the recalled beef have been already eaten.

A complete list of the affected products can be found at Products affected by beef recall