November 13, 2006

Swift to inspect Greeley plant to ease Japanese fears

Greeley-based Swift & Company's accidental shipment of cattle organs to Japan posed no threat to health, but some in US beef industry hope it would not affect business.

The company, following inspection of its Greeley operation, submitted a list of changes to the USDA, that it believed could prevent similar accidents in future, noted Swift's spokesman Sean McHugh. As part of its investigation, the agency could suggest additional corrective procedures.

Once the changes have been implemented, Japanese officials would inspect the Greeley facility to confirm so, McHugh said. However, it remained unclear as to how long it would take for export to resume from the particular plant.

Japan halted imports from the firm's Greeley plant after discovering a box of thymus glands in a beef shipment at Osaka.

The box of thymus gland in question was not listed on the export certificate issued by the USDA, and thymus gland currently was not on Swift's eligible-product export list to Japan, according to a company release.