LOS ANGELES -- The government is issuing a huge beef recall.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is calling back 143 million pounds of frozen beef from a Southern California slaughterhouse that's being investigated for mistreating cattle.
The action tops a 1999 ban of 35 million pounds of ready-to-eat meats.
USDA says the recall will affect beef products dating to Feb. 1, 2006, that came from Westland/Hallmark Meat Company, based in Chino, Calif. The company supplies meat to the federal school lunch program and to some major fast-food chains.
Federal officials suspended operations at Westland/Hallmark after an undercover video surfaced showing crippled and sick animals being shoved with forklifts.
Two former employees have been charged with animal cruelty. No charges have been filed against Westland, but an investigation by federal authorities continues.
Federal regulations call for keeping downed cattle out of the food supply because they may pose a higher risk of contamination from E. coli, salmonella or mad cow disease.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is calling back 143 million pounds of frozen beef from a Southern California slaughterhouse that's being investigated for mistreating cattle.
The action tops a 1999 ban of 35 million pounds of ready-to-eat meats.
USDA says the recall will affect beef products dating to Feb. 1, 2006, that came from Westland/Hallmark Meat Company, based in Chino, Calif. The company supplies meat to the federal school lunch program and to some major fast-food chains.
Federal officials suspended operations at Westland/Hallmark after an undercover video surfaced showing crippled and sick animals being shoved with forklifts.
Two former employees have been charged with animal cruelty. No charges have been filed against Westland, but an investigation by federal authorities continues.
Federal regulations call for keeping downed cattle out of the food supply because they may pose a higher risk of contamination from E. coli, salmonella or mad cow disease.
