Close to 9 million pounds of diseased meat is being recalled today by the Rancho Feeding Corporation, under a Class 1 Recall issued by the United States Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service. According to the USDA statement, The Rancho Feeding Corporation processed "diseased and unsound" animals, and did so "without the benefit, or full benefit, of Federal inspection."
The recall had been issued on February 8th, but at the time the extent of the contamination and the distribution of the meat had been unseen. The recall was issued today as the FSIS discovered just how much beef had been contaminated, and where it had been distributed to.
The beef in question mainly consisted of large cuts, and specific whole beef parts, such as heads, tails, organs, hooves and blood. Full beef carcasses were also on the manifest of diseased meat.The FSIS ruled that "the products are adulterated, because they are unsound, unwholesome or otherwise are unfit for human food and must be removed from commerce".
The contaminated beef was shipped in boxes baring the marker "Est. 527" inside of the USDA logo and had case code numbers ending in "3" or "4". The products had been processed and distributed nationwide in early January. Retail organizations that have purchased these products have been notified of the recall. It is unclear how the beef were tainted, or how such a large tonnage of beef could be shipped in such a condition.