By Robert Pore
robert.pore@theindependent.com

On Sunday, the USDA recalled 143 million pounds of frozen beef from Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Co. in California that was being provided by the government to school lunch programs.

"Because the cattle did not receive complete and proper inspection, FSIS (Food Safety and Inspection Service) has determined them to be unfit for human food, and the company is conducting a recall," said Ed Schafer, U.S. secretary of agriculture.

According to the Associated Press, it was the largest beef recall in the United States, surpassing a 1999 ban of 35 million pounds of ready-to-eat meats.

The Hallmark/Westland recall was the result of an undercover investigation by The Humane Society of the United States.

Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States, called the USDA action "extraordinary" but a "prudent decision to safeguard human health after the HSUS undercover investigation showed that mistreated downed cows had made their way into the food supply."

"Long term, however, the federal government must step up and meet its responsibility for assuring both the integrity of food and the humane treatment of animals at all slaughter plants. A recall of this staggering scale proves that it's past time for Congress and the USDA to strengthen our laws for the sake of people and animals," Pacelle said.

Caroline Smith DeWaal, food safety director for the Center for Science in the Public Interest, said the massive beef recall "...dwarfs all other meat recalls and follows more than 20 beef recalls in the last 12 months."

"Consumers are losing confidence in USDA's ability to ensure the meat they eat is safe," DeWaal said.

She said the recall is the result of a "terrible failure" of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's mandate since 1906 to ensure that sick animals are not slaughtered for human food.

"Once again, USDA is in reactive mode taking steps to protect the public long after a highly publicized animal welfare scandal," DeWaal said.

But Schafer said that upon notification of possible violations of USDA regulations, the USDA immediately began an investigation and placed on hold products from this plant destined for the National School Lunch Program, the Emergency Food Assistance Program and the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations.

Since then, Schafer said the USDA has also suspended all federal food and nutrition program contracts with Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Co.

"I am dismayed at the inhumane handling of cattle that has resulted in the violation of food safety regulations at the Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Co.," he said.

He said it's 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," Schafer said. "In addition, our Office of the Inspector General and the Food Safety and Inspection Service continue the investigation. We will respond immediately if further findings warrant."

Details about this recall and USDA actions are available at www.usda.gov/actions .

In response to the government's large beef recall Sunday, the American Meat Institute called the government's actions "unsettling," "...but the government has made clear that it is the result of non-compliance with inspection procedures, not food safety concerns."

"USDA's message was clear: cattle inspection procedures were not followed and when they are not, product is considered 'out of compliance' and must be recalled," said Mark Dopp, AMI senior vice president of regulatory affairs and general counsel.

Dopp said that while all cattle processed by the plant passed the initial inspection to check their health, "...in some instances, when some cattle later became unable to walk, the USDA veterinarian should have been called again to re-evaluate, but was not."

"Cattle can become non-ambulatory for a variety of reasons, including simple injury during movement," Dopp said. "The fact that an animal becomes non-ambulatory does not necessarily mean it is ill."

He said the government has found no evidence that the meat was unsafe and has appropriately classified it as a "Class II recall," as opposed to a "Class I recall," which, Dopp said, is used when there is a reasonable probability that a public health risk exists.

"This should reassure any consumers concerned about this action. The U.S. beef supply remains among the safest in the world," he said.

James Reagan of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association said the NCBA supports USDA's recall as a precautionary measure.

"At the same time, we can say with confidence that the beef supply is safe. We have multiple interlocking safeguards in place in every beef processing plant in America so that if one is bypassed the other systems continue to ensure the product we serve our families remains safe," Reagan said.

He said that as an organization representing beef producers, NCBA has two expectations when cattle leave farms and ranches: "...that our animals are treated humanely and that every step is taken to produce safe beef."

"We support USDA's actions to enforce the laws that ensure our cattle are handled with care and that our beef is produced safely," Reagan said.