Disturbing Videos Prompt Largest Meat Recall in History

The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Sunday ordered the recall of 143 million pounds of frozen beef from a California slaughterhouse, the subject of an animal-abuse investigation, that provided meat to school lunch programs.

Officials said it was the largest beef recall in the United States, surpassing a 1999 ban of 35 million pounds of ready-to-eat meats. No illnesses have been linked to the newly recalled meat, and officials said the health threat was likely small.

The recall will affect beef products dating to Feb. 1, 2006, that came from Chino-based Westland/Hallmark Meat Co., the federal agency said.

Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer said his department has evidence that Westland did not routinely contact its veterinarian when cattle became non-ambulatory after passing inspection, violating health regulations.

"Because the cattle did not receive complete and proper inspection, Food Safety and Inspection Service has determined them to be unfit for human food and the company is conducting a recall," Schafer said in a statement.

A phone message left for Westland president Steve Mendell was not immediately returned.

Federal officials suspended operations at Westland/Hallmark after an undercover video from the Humane Society of the United States surfaced showing crippled and sick animals being shoved with forklifts.

This is the video that sparked the investigation and it is very graphic and very disturbing - so consider yourself warned not to watch it if you're easily sickened:



While several people have already been fired and are criminal charges have been filed, more than 100 million pounds of meat from downed animals is already in circulation.

With many schools and other businesses now saying that they will not do business with Westland/Hallmark, I fully expect to hear that the company will declare bankruptcy before long. Such is the fate that befell Topps Meat of NJ, which was forced to declare bankruptcy following a massive recall of hamburger meat that had E. coli contamination.

Thus far, there are no reported cases of food poisoning related to the Westland/Hallmark products.