Beef Packers, Inc. is at the center of the largest meat recall of the summer. Over 800,000 pounds of Ground beef allegedly contaminated with an antibiotic resistant strain of Salmonella is being taken off of store shelves after Salmonella outbreak clusters were traced back to meat processed by Beef Packers, Inc.
Last year, Beef Packers Inc., owned by Cargill Meat Solutions, was slapped with an animal handling citation after an investigation was prompted by the now infamous Westland/Hallmark “downer” cattle debacle. Westland/Hallmark (no connection to Cargill) was cited for animal abuse and forcing sick animals into the food supply by undercover operatives for the Humane Society. This prompted the Feds to investigate 17 companies that were providing meat to the National School Lunch program.
Beef Packers Inc., one of the 17 companies investigated, was found to be rendering cattle unconscious and then dragging them through the muck-filled chutes to be shackled, hung and bled. Anytime cow hides are exposed to feces, it increases the likelihood that its meat will become infected with E. coli, Salmonella or other foodborne pathogens upon slaughter.
Corporate honchos protested the citation, claiming the cows were just skittish because inspectors were present that day and that is not the norm. The FSIS backed down and rescinded the citation, offering instead a “letter of concern.”
After last week’s recall of beef tainted with antibiotic-resistant Salmonella newport, Cargill still hasn’t released its distribution lists but claims to be cooperating with the USDA and other agencies. So far, almost thirty illnesses have been linked to the recalled meat, including those in California, Colorado and Utah. However, some fear that more may have become ill from the recall, which included over 400 tons of beef.
Salmonella poisoning typically presents symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Most people recover quickly; however, some may require hospitalization. In some cases, salmonellosis can get into the blood stream and lead to sepsis, Reiter’s syndrome and in rare circumstances, hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a dangerous secondary condition that can cause kidney failure. Infections with antibiotic-resistant Salmonella are especially troubling because they can be difficult, if not almost impossible, to treat with conventional means.
Richard J. Arsenault, 2010
