Chewing The Cud

The headlines have flashed with news about the largest beef recall in history. After California based packing plant, Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Co. voluntarily recalled about 143 million pounds of raw and frozen beef products on Feb. 4, 2008. USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) made the announcement of the Class II recall that the products were unfit for human consumption because some of the cattle did not receive complete and proper inspection.

With all of the hype about this colossal recall, the media has been buzzing nonstop about the safety and health of the beef supply. However, consumers have no reason to worry about the safety of the United States’ beef supply. In fact, this is a critical time for cattle producers to stand up and promote the safety and wholesomeness of the beef products they produce.

What Went Wrong

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) caught footage of the mistreatment of cattle at the Chino-based packing plant via videotape. Notably, HSUS is one of the largest leading animal rights groups with the main mission of abolishing animal agriculture. As a result of the video, USDA conducted an investigation of the plant and discovered that the plant was not in compliance with USDA FSIS rules and regulations, allowing non-ambulatory cattle to be harvested for human consumption without ante mortem inspection.

“It’s important to note that this recall is not about whether the beef was safe or not; its about how the cattle were handled and treated outside of the packing plant, said Kendal Frazier of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s (NCBA), “We strongly condemn what happened at the packing plant. Every cattlemen that viewed the footage has been appalled about how the cattle were treated at that plant. This is not what really happens in beef production system in United States.”

So what is the media sensationalizing about? Is this really a food safety concern for consumers?

“As far as food safety goes, the media never fails to point out issues such as BSE,” said Frazier who serves as NCBA’s Vice President of Public Opinion and Issues Management. “The reason we have the safest beef in the world is that the United States has a set of interlocking firewalls to ensure that BSE never enters the food supply. For example, any specified risk material of a beef carcass is not allowed into the beef supply.”

What the Industry is doing right

“Plants must follow a set of regulations and statutes on the humane treatment of animals, and this plant was not in compliance with these regulations,” said Dr. Richard Raymond, USDA Undersecretary of Food Safety; “We suspended inspection promptly after inspection. The non-ambulatory cattle seen in the video unlikely entered the food supply.”

Through evidence obtained by Food Safety Inspection Service, the establishment did not consistently contact the FSIS public health veterinarian in situations in which cattle become non-ambulatory after passing ante-mortem inspection, which is not compliant with FSIS regulations.

“I can confidently say there is a low risk of a food safety scare for the beef supply in this isolated incident,” said Raymond. “It’s important to remember that this is a Class II recall, meaning there is a remote possibility for an adverse health effect through the consumption of this product. I would feed the recalled beef to my family, with confidence.”
Producers Need to Take Action

With the media presenting a hoard of misconceptions and assumptions relating to the general wholesomeness and safety of the United States’ beef supply, it is critical to recognize this situation as an isolated incident. As consumers try to sort through the fact and fiction of the news’ headlines presented by the lobbying giant, HSUS, it is crucial for American cattle ranchers to stand up and tell the agriculture production story.

With a doubt, cattle producers should follow best animal husbandry practices to ensure the integrity of the beef supply. In addition, producers should take the opportunity to explain and provide an accurate outlet for information to consumers concerned about the safety off the beef supply, as well as the welfare of the cattle harvested. As the entire beef industry chain strives to provide a safe, wholesome and nutritious product, consumers should feel confident and secure in the decision to continue to incorporate beef into a balanced diet.