U.S. Agricultural Department recalls 65 mln kg of frozen beef

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 17 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Sunday ordered the recall of 143 million pounds (65 million kg) of frozen beef, the largest recall in the U.S. history.

USDA officials said the recalled beef posed no immediate threat to humans as no illnesses had been linked to the meat.

Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer said his department has evidence that the slaughterhouse, Westland/Hallmark Meat Co., did not routinely contact its veterinarian when cattle became nonambulatory after passing inspection, violating health regulations.

"Because the cattle did not receive complete and proper inspections, the Food Safety and Inspection Service has determined them to be unfit for human food and the company is conducting a recall," Schafer said in a statement.

Federal rules usually ban the slaughter of "downer cattle" -- those unable to walk -- as a safeguard against mad cow disease.

The recall will affect beef products dating to Feb. 1, 2006, that came from the California slaughterhouse which provides meat to school lunch programs.

"We don't know how much product is out there right now. We don't think there is a health hazard, but we do have to take this action," said Dr. Dick Raymond, USDA Undersecretary for Food Safety.

Officials estimated that about 37 million pounds of the recalled beef went to schools, but they believed most of the meat has probably already been eaten.

Officials said it was the largest beef recall in the United States, surpassing the 1999 ban of 35 million pounds of ready-to-eat meats.

There was no immediate comment from the company, which is the subject of an animal-abuse investigation.

The company had been under fire for animal cruelty after an undercover video by the Humane Society showed sick animals being shoved with forklifts.

Two former employees were fired after being charged with animal abuse Friday. Meanwhile, five felony counts of animal cruelty and three misdemeanors were filed against a pen manager.

No charges have been filed against Westland, but an investigation by federal authorities continues.