LAWMAKERS CONTINUE REVIEW OF FOOD SAFETY AND BEEF RECALL
News Date March 17, 2008
The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigation held a hearing on March 12 to review food safety concerns and actions on the recent beef recall from the Westland/Hallmark Meat Packing Company.
Several congressional panels have held hearings related to the beef recall and lawmakers continue to clash with USDA and industry officials over food safety inspections, funding, and recall policy issues. Steve Mendell, president of the Westland/Hallmark Meat Company, testified at the March 12 hearing. He acknowledged that company employees had violated humane handling policies for cattle, and those employees had been immediately terminated. Lawmakers showed two videos during the session and repeatedly questioned Mendell about the inspection, slaughter, and food safety procedures.
The oversight panel also heard testimony from USDA Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Richard Raymond. He reiterated that USDA is implementing a series of actions to verify and thoroughly analyze humane handling activities in federally inspected meat plants. Dr. Raymond also outlined steps that the agency is taking to prevent foodborne illness and how USDA handled the Westland/Hallmark beef recall. (Contact: Charlie Ingram or Carissa Wilhelm)