Beef recently recalled may have been on school menu

The U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a massive recall of frozen beef Sunday in relation to an investigation of a Southern California slaughterhouse.

The recall comes as part of an investigation of Westland/Hallmark Meat Company who was seen on tape using inhumane practices to slaughter downed cattle. This is the largest beef recall ever in the United States, asking for 143 millions pounds of beef to be returned. The food affected by the recall dates back to Feb. 1, 2006.

Westland/Hallmark is one of the largest distributors of beef to California schools. Due to the time frame of the recall, Newport-Mesa School District conceded it was likely that some of the recalled beef has entered the student food chain.

“We have been receiving beef product from processors all over the country and we understand they were getting beef from Westland up until the product was put on hold,” said Director of Nutrition Services Richard Green. “It is possible it was shipped to us and consumed.”

Green made it clear that proper handling practices and cooking beef at high temperatures will kill most bacteria. This is a benefit of using processed food, Green said.

“There is an element of safety built into our system,” he said.

Beef has not been on the Newport-Mesa menu since allegations of wrong doing were first presented at the end of January. The earliest the district plans to reinstitute beef into the menu would be April depending on the outcome of the USDA investigation.

— Daniel Tedford