Savor The Meaty Flavor

The U.S. Department of Agriculture ordered the recall of 143 million pounds of frozen beef from a California slaughterhouse, the subject of an animal-abuse investigation. A good amount of meat was provided to school lunch programs, which could also be considered a form of abuse.

Officials said it was the largest beef recall in the United States, surpassing a 1999 ban of 35 million pounds of ready-to-eat meats. No illnesses have been linked to the newly recalled meat, and officials said the health threat was likely small. Yes, animal cruelty doesn't often yield diseases, but why take chances? That cow that got kicked could develop E. coli, and who wants that?

The recall will affect beef products dating to Feb. 1, 2006, that came from Chino-based Westland/Hallmark Meat Co. An undercover video from the Humane Society surfaced showing crippled and sick animals being shoved with forklifts. Evidence that Westland did not routinely contact its veterinarian when cattle became non-ambulatory after passing inspection are claimed to be documented, as well as video that showed workers kicking, shocking and otherwise abusing "downer" animals that were apparently too sick or injured to walk into the slaughterhouse.

No charges have been filed against Westland, but an investigation 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 because they typically wallow in feces and their immune systems are often weak.

Officials estimate that about 37 million pounds of the recalled beef went to school programs, but they believe most of the meat probably has already been eaten. Now 150 school districts around the nation have stopped using ground beef from Hallmark Meat Packing Co. Two fast-food chains, Jack-In-the-Box and In-N-Out, said they would not use beef from Westland/Hallmark. Other chains such as McDonald's and Burger King said they do not buy beef from Westland.

The sound of cheering vegetarians and vegans may be the the noise of the day, but we carnivores shall not fret...that abused meat was tender and delicious, and a little extra wallowing in feces is no reason for us to stop eating meat. That's just seasoning.