Escambia County Schools Pull Beef Possibly From “Downer” Cows; Federal Investigation Underway

February 8, 2008

Escambia County schools have stopped serving beef that was processed by a California Company that allegedly processed “downed cows”.

A video tape made by the Humane Society of the United States allegedly shows workers at the Westland Meat Company in Chino, California, prodding downer cows — those unable to walk— with forklifts, high-pressure water hoses and electric prods to force them to walk to the slaughterhouse. It is illegal in the United States to process a downer cow into the food supply because it could be a sign of a serious illness.

The video by the humane society was taped in the fall but only recently released.

beef01.jpg“Had we known at the time the alleged violations occurred, we would have initiated our investigation sooner, and taken appropriate actions at that time,” a news release from U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer said. “I am deeply concerned about the allegations made regarding inhumane handling of non-ambulatory disabled cattle in a federally inspected slaughter establishment.”

“Words cannot accurately express how shocked and horrified I was at the depictions contained on the video that was taken by an individual who worked at our facility from October 3 thru November 14, 2007,” Westland Meat President Steve Mendell said in a written statement. That statement goes on to say that Westland has suspended its operations pending the outcome of the federal investigation.

The meat in question that was served or to be served in Escambia County schools was further processed into country fried steak and charbroiled patties for hamburgers by a company called Prairie Foods, according to Escambia School District Food Services Director Glenna Taylor. All beef from Westland Meat has been placed on “hold” and will not be served to students until that hold is released by the USDA.

It is important to note that the meat is on “hold” and a “hold” is not a “recall” where the meat has been determined to be a health risk and must be destroyed.

“‘Hold’ means that the product must be quarantined and clearly marked that it cannot be distributed or used until further notice. It is usually the first step taken by USDA whenever there’s a question about a commodity’s safety/fitness for human consumption, meeting specifications, etc. It allows USDA time to investigate and decide what needs to be done,” Gloria M. Van Treese, Chief of the Bureau of Food Distribution with Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services said.

“There has been absolutely no contamination found in the products,” Taylor told NorthEscambia.com. “But we are certainly following the direction of the USDA and will not serve it.”

“We have absolute faith in our food services department,” Northview High School Principal Gayle Weaver said Thursday afternoon. “In no way would we ever endanger our students.”

Hamburgers were on the menu and served at schools across North Escambia Thursday. Taylor assured NorthEscambia.com that the meat served to students in those burgers was not from Westland Meat and was perfectly safe. Other hamburger meat dishes such as spaghetti served in our schools contain hamburger meat processed by other companies.

NorthEscambia.com will continue to monitor this story and keep you informed.

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Education, News