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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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USDA Recalls 143M Lbs of Beef

SoCal slaughterhouse involved under investigation for animal cruelty

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(Newser) – The USDA today issued its biggest recall ever, recalling 143 million pounds of frozen beef from a slaughterhouse in Southern California that is currently being investigated for animal cruelty. The recall affects meat dating to Feb. 1 that originated in Westland/Hallmark Meat Co. The company distributes beef to major fast-food chains, as well as the federal school lunch program.

"Because the cattle did not receive complete and proper inspection, Food Safety and Inspection Service has determined them to be unfit for human food," said Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer, who added that Westland/Hallmark often did not notify vets when cows that had passed inspection became crippled, a violation. Two former employees were charged Friday with animal cruelty.

A worker walks on top of cattle carcass scraps dropped into a truck at the Hallmark Meat Packing slaughterhouse in Chino, Calif. Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008. Video footage showed workers repeatedly kicking cows and ramming them with the blades of a forklift as the animals squealed in pain. The facility...
A worker walks on top of cattle carcass scraps dropped into a truck at the Hallmark Meat Packing slaughterhouse in Chino, Calif. Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008. Video footage showed workers repeatedly kicking...   (Associated Press)
A worker throws a piece of meat among the cattle carcass scraps dropped into a parked truck at the Hallmark Meat Packing slaughterhouse in Chino, Calif., Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008. Two major hamburger chains and dozens of school districts around the nation have banned meat from the slaughterhouse after a...
A worker throws a piece of meat among the cattle carcass scraps dropped into a parked truck at the Hallmark Meat Packing slaughterhouse in Chino, Calif., Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008. Two major hamburger...   (Associated Press)
Cattle carcass scraps are dropped into a parked truck at the Hallmark Meat Packing slaughterhouse in Chino, Calif., Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008. Video footage showed workers at Hallmark Meat Packing repeatedly kicking cows and ramming them with the blades of a forklift as the animals squealed in pain. Hallmark supplies...
Cattle carcass scraps are dropped into a parked truck at the Hallmark Meat Packing slaughterhouse in Chino, Calif., Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008. Video footage showed workers at Hallmark Meat Packing repeatedly...   (Associated Press)
A private security guard patrols the parking lot at the Hallmark Meat Packing slaughterhouse in Chino, Calif. Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008. The Hallmark Meat Packing logo is seen on a truck in the background. Video footage showed workers at Hallmark Meat Packing repeatedly kicking cows and ramming them with the...
A private security guard patrols the parking lot at the Hallmark Meat Packing slaughterhouse in Chino, Calif. Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008. The Hallmark Meat Packing logo is seen on a truck in the background....   (Associated Press)
The USDA has issued its largest beef recall ever, of some 143 million pounds of frozen beef that originated in a Southern California slaughterhouse being investigated for animal cruelty.
The USDA has issued its largest beef recall ever, of some 143 million pounds of frozen beef that originated in a Southern California slaughterhouse being investigated for animal cruelty.   (Getty Images)
The USDA has issued its largest beef recall ever, of some 143 million pounds of frozen beef that originated in a Southern California slaughterhouse being investigated for animal cruelty.
The USDA has issued its largest beef recall ever, of some 143 million pounds of frozen beef that originated in a Southern California slaughterhouse being investigated for animal cruelty.   (Getty Images)
An unidentified worker uses a plastic paddle to push a cow, seen center, into the the Hallmark Meat Packing slaughterhouse in Chino, Calif. Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008. Video footage showed workers at Hallmark Meat Packing repeatedly kicking cows and ramming them with the blades of a forklift as the animals...
An unidentified worker uses a plastic paddle to push a cow, seen center, into the the Hallmark Meat Packing slaughterhouse in Chino, Calif. Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008. Video footage showed workers at Hallmark...   (Associated Press)
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