The HSUS Urges Schools in 36 States to Stop Using Westland Meat |
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January 31, 2008
Minnesota, Oregon and Utah Have Already Pulled Westland Meat from School Lunch Program
Wayne Pacelle, the president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States, sent a letter today to state school officials in states that received beef from Westland Meat Co. through the National School Lunch Program. The HSUS released video evidence yesterday documenting abusive treatment of "downed" cows on their way to slaughter at the Hallmark Meat Packing plant in Chino, Calif., which supplies Westland.
The USDA has suspended Westland as a supplier to the National School Lunch Program and other federal nutrition programs in response to The HSUS' investigation of the plant. The agency is also conducting an investigation.
The HSUS investigation raises concerns about human health as well as animal welfare. Downed animals may have a higher risk of being infected with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (also known as mad cow disease), E. coli and Salmonella.
More than 100,000 schools and child care facilities nationwide receive meat through the lunch program. The Minnesota, Oregon and Utah school boards have already announced that they will stop serving Westland beef to their students.
"We urge state officials to follow the examples already set by Minnesota, Oregon and Utah to order state school districts to stop using beef delivered from this company," Pacelle said in his letter.
Click here to read a sample letter.
Go to humanesociety.org to learn more about the investigation.
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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization — backed by 10.5 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty — On the web at humanesociety.org.
