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Two Firms Recall Cattle Heads

By Pritzker | Ruohonen

Earlier this year the largest beef recall in United States history was issued in regard to products produced by the Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Co. The recall received national attention because of videos of workers at the Hallmark plant using inhumane practices in the slaughter of cattle, including forcing non-ambulatory, or “downer,” cattle to slaughter.  Hallmark/Westland was also a supplier of beef to the National School Lunch Program.  Not only were the practices of the company inhumane, but introducing meat from downer cattle into the food supply poses a serious threat to consumer health.  Downer cattle have an increased risk of spreading Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), commonly known as mad cow disease.   There is no cure for BSE and it is always fatal. 

The possibility of introducing BSE into the food supply is taken very seriously. Today, Cattle Network reports that Beltex Corporation, known as Frontier Meats based in Fort Worth, Texas, is recalling 2850 pounds of fresh cattle heads.  The heads may contain what the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) calls specified risk materials (SRMs). SRMs are tissues that may contain the agent responsible for causing BSE. FSIS regulations prohibit SRMs from entering the food supply to help minimize the risk of spreading BSE to humans.

Frontier Meats is recalling cases of “Beef Whole Head” with the establishment number “EST. 7041B” and package codes “51904” and “63922.” All of the products produced between May 31 and June 24, 2008 are subject to the recall.  The products were distributed to retail establishments and lunch carts in the Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas area.

Paradise Locker Meats of Trimble, Missouri, is also voluntarily recalling 120 pounds of cattle heads, according to Meatingplace. The affected heads did not have the tonsils fully removed, which according the FSIS is a violation of the SRM regulation. The recalled products include boxes of “Beef Head, Paradise Locker Meats” with establishment numbers “Est. 21865.”  The products were distributed in the Kansas City, Kansas area.

Full post as published by Food Poisoning Law Blog on June 27, 2008 (boomark / email).