Thanks to an undercover investigation by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the Westland/Hallmark Meat Company has issued the largest ground beef recall in history.
The recall of 143 million pounds of ground beef follows on the heels of video footage released by HSUS in late January, showing cows too sick to stand being kicked and pushed with forklifts (it's really gruesome, heartbreaking stuff, so be prepared if you click the link). The so-called downer cows are not allowed in the food stream until they've undergone veterinary examination because they may harbor mad cow disease or another illness. That means that every cow that cannot stand is less money for the company.
The recall was spurred by the Department of Agriculture, which found that Westland/Hallmark did not always contact federal inspectors to examine downer cows. It applies to all beef sold by the company between February 2006 and February 2008, which means that it's largely symbolic. Most of that beef has already been eaten, much of it by children in their public school lunches for which Westland is a primary supplier. Both the Department of Agriculture and the company have acknowledged that there's little chance of illness resulting from the meat being recalled.
It would be nice to believe that this is an isolated situation.
It would also be unforgivably naive.
Photo: Mice Meat by sinsiwinsi.