May 1, 2008

Two US beef processors cited for humane handling violations

A government inspection of slaughterhouses found significant problems with the treatment of cattle and two of the nation's largest beef processors, both of which provide meat for the National School Lunch Programme. 

One of those companies' violations was rescinded after the company appealed, according to the Associated Press. 

The Agriculture Department's Food Safety and Inspection Service found "noncompliance" records to a National Beef Packing Co. plant in Dodge City, Kansas., and a Cargill Meat Solutions plant in Fresno, California., according to information obtained by the AP.

The audits of 18 slaughterhouses found that some cattle were not being stunned properly on the first try, others were subject to overcrowding conditions, and others had to be electrically prodded when moving them to slaughterhouses.

The audits followed handling violations recorded by the Humane Society of America at Westland/Hallmark Meat Co. in Chino, California, which led to the largest beef recall in the nation's history.