February 29, 2008

US meat institute calls for random third party check after massive beef recall

Shortly after the largest beef recall of Hallmark products in the US, the American Meat Institute (AMI) called for a random third party check on meat quality assurance.

AMI also called on cattle producers and farmers to take the initiative to enroll in meat quality trainings.

Furthermore, US meat programmes should be subjected to third party checks, AMI said.

AMI president, J. Patrick Boyle, outlined a series of failures that led to the historic 143-million-pound beef product recall.

Livestock brokers were advised to document training for employees in proper animal handling and transport.

Processing facility employees were also suggested to be certified for proficiency in animal handling procedures

Plants should also use AMI's animal handling guidelines and audit programme, Boyle said.

So far, all beef products from the Hallmark plant produced for the school lunch program tested negative for pathogens.

Boyle pointed that the USDA would have been better advised to conduct a risk assessment before recalling millions of pounds of beef that has little to no threat to consumers.