[ SHOWGSD-L ] CA Beef recall, Long
- From: grnram415@xxxxxxx
- To: Showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Wed, 20 Feb 2008 14:50:23 -0500
You may remember that awhile ago I was looking for a slaughterhouse in which to
purchase pancreas for my EPI girl.? Hallmark was one suggested.? I called and
left messages but never got a call back.? I am glad they didn't call back.?
Anyway, I found a small slaughterhouse that does grass fed beef and was more
than happy to provide my measly little monthly order.?
When this story broke and the News was doing the "Teasers" they showed the
outside of the slaughterhouse and didn't say the name.? It looked so similar to
my place that I panicked and called them immediately.? I found out some very
interesting things from my girl there.? First of all, the USDA Inspectors
handle more than one place due to a cut backs.? I know this is true as we had
to track down their inspector to get the USDA approval I needed to purchase the
pancreas.? There is more to that story that I will address later.?
The next thing I found out was that Hallmark has been investigated in the
past.? Most slaughterhouses have regular suppliers.? However, when Hallmark got
the school and fast food contracts, they didn't have enough cattle coming in
from the regular suppliers to meet the demand.? So, they got cattle from
auctions.? Many of the cows are old dairy cows and other non-important animals
in the breeding programs.? The sellers frequently drug the animals to keep them
up and standing so they aren't selling "downers"? Downers cannot be used for
human food.? It seems they were buying up to 1000 cows a week to meet the
demand.? The investigation at that time was done to make sure the cattle they
bought did not have any antibiotics or other?drugs in their systems that were
not allowed in?human food.? She did not know the outcome of that investigation
but thought they had been fined for it.
Ok, USDA Inspectors and their responsibilities.? Most slaughterhouses do their
kills in the early morning.? I know this is true as I had to sit and wait one
time while they cut the pancreas out of the cows while I waited.? Yikes!?
Anyway, the inspectors, who are overworked to begin with, start with the
smaller companies and then go to the larger ones who kill all day.? Yes, they
have regular schedules so it wouldn't be hard?for employees to know the
routine.? Their main responsibility is to make sure the animals are healthy
prior to slaughter.? They inspect the next days animals the day before so who
knows what happens when the drugs wear off.
Anyway, here is her personal opinion, which she said I could pass on.? She
thinks the employees involved?were beyond stupid.? Peta and?HSUS are always
chomping at the bit to find a problem and everyone in the business knows
this.??Being with a family business?for life, she was appalled at the tape but
not surprised.??Hallmark has?huge contracts and can't afford to lose money on
sick cows.? This is why?her company?has a policy to allow all customers
complete access to their facility.? (I declined, except to let Maggie see the
live cows)?She thinks they will be fined big time but not shut down.? She also
thinks they will get their own Full Time Inspector which will take away from
other facilities.?The USDA claims that all facilities have a full time
inspector. ?Not true.??
My point of this whole story is this.??We have been dealing with some really
bad food issues in the last year or so, both with human and dog food.?I am
wondering why we aren't, as a Nation, demanding that more funds?be put into
making sure our food sources are safe.??The fact that it had to take these
videos, no matter what the time line,?to make people wake up is not a bad
thing.? I?hope everyone gets upset about it and asks our Government why we
aren't taking it more seriously.? Contact your Senators and ask them.? This
is?NOT limited to one place in CA.?
?
Sorry this is so long.? Just thought you should know more to the story.? Yes, I
am appalled at the abuse but I am?more concerned about what I may be eating.? ??
Laura Thomas???????
???
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