Schools Puts Hold On Recalled Beef

Several cases of the federally recalled beef products originating from a California slaughterhouse have been identified and placed on hold in Van Zandt County schools.

Last Sunday, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) ordered a recall of 143 million pounds of frozen beef that came from Westland/Hallmark Meat Co. of Chino, California.

According to a statement by Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer, that action came because of a USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service investigation, which determined that Westland/Hallmark Meat violated federal regulations by forcing non-ambulatory cattle to move.

Canton ISD Superintendent Dr. Jerome Stewart said his school had five cases of the tainted beef but assured that, "None of it was ever served to our students."

Stewart said at this point his staff will hold on to the beef and wait to see how state officials want them to destroy it.

Rita Williams, child nutrition director for Martins Mill ISD, said she had 120 pounds or three cases of the raw beef, which she had been advised to put on hold since February 1.

Williams said her district uses beef for barbecue, sloppy joe’s, nachos, spaghetti and chili. However, since the recall she has been making do with turkey instead.

"We are a beefless campus right now," Williams said. "I want to take every precaution and I don’t think you can be too safe."

Grand Saline ISD Superintendent Mark Keahey said food service director Penny Dutton identified five cases of the recalled beef.

"It has been marked and separated from the other meat products," Keahey said. "This meat was previously placed on hold as directed by the TDA (Texas Department of Agriculture)."

He said the district is awaiting further word from the TDA on destruction procedures for the meat in question.

Fruitvale ISD Superintendent Bruce Congleton said there was only one case of the beef found there and it was destroyed Tuesday.

"This is an extremely rare situation…I’m glad we had only one case of it," Congleton said.

Wills Point ISD and Edgewood ISD officials reported having no cases of the beef. Calls to Van ISD were not immediately returned.

Federal officials suspended Westland/Halmark’s operations after an undercover video from the United State Humane Society showed cattle being kicked, shocked or shoved with forklifts when the cattle were unable to move under their own power.

The San Bernardino County (Calif.) District Attorney’s Office has filed felony animal cruelty charges and other misdemeanor charges against a former Westland/Hallmark pen manager. Misdemeanor charges were filed against an employee who worked under that manager.

No charges have been filed against the company, but a federal investigation of it is continuing, Schafer said in his statement last Sunday.

"I am dismayed at the inhumane handling of cattle that has resulted in the violation of food safety regulations at the Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Company," Schafer said.

"It is extremely unlikely that these animals were at risk for BSE (Mad Cow Disease) because of the multiple safeguards; however, this action is necessary because plant procedures violated USDA regulations," Schafer said.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) extended the administrative hold of beef products supplied by Westland Meat Company through Tuesday.

"We put all beef on hold…This hold is our district policy, and not all schools will be doing this. It’s just an extra precaution for our students’ safety," Williams said.

On February 7 there was an East Texas Director’s Meeting at the Tyler ISD administration building. The main topic was the beef hold.

In a press release from the USDA dated February 19, it states that the recall has been classified as a "Class II recall."

This classification states that this is a health hazard situation where there is a "remote probability of adverse health consequences from the use of the product."

To date the USDA said there is no evidence as to whether any of the downer cattle entered the food supply.

At this time however the school districts are asked not to destroy any product until further instruction has been provided by the commodity distribution program office.

Williams said the last time she remembers a recall that affected school districts was about six years ago when the USDA recalled pork; however, the beef recall is "huge" she added.

Williams, like many districts’ child nutrition directors, will have to redo their lunch menu due to the massive recall, but that is something they are willing to do.

Some school districts, like Martins Mill, are planning to send out letters to parents assuring them of the changes made to the school’s menu and the substitutes for beef.

Williams said if parents should have questions, they may contact her directly at the Martins Mill cafeteria at (903) 479-1103.