January 31, 2008

DPHHS Puts Hold on Westland Meat Company
Ground Beef

The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services has asked all state food programs that have Westland Meat Company ground beef in their possession to refrain from distributing it until further notice.

The department was informed late Wednesday Jan. 30 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that all ground beef supplied to Montana and 36 other states by Westland Meat Company be placed on hold due to allegations concerning the mistreatment of cattle at one of the company’s meat packing facilities.

The concern is on the mistreatment and slaughter of downer cows that pose a higher risk of carrying disease.

There has been ample time for consumption, and there have been no reported illnesses associated with the use of this product, DPHHS director Joan Miles said. “We know of no immediate health risk,” Miles said. “But, until the hold is lifted, we ask that this ground beef not be consumed. We’ve decided to error on the side of caution.”

The department has also ceased distributing the ground beef currently being stored at the state’s 40,000-square-foot food commodity warehouse in Helena.

About 4,000 cases, or 37,000 pounds, of Westland Meat Company ground beef was delivered to the warehouse in September 2007. Every month as needed, the ground beef has been delivered to school lunch programs, senior centers, food banks and American Indian reservations throughout the state.

DPHHS Human and Community Services administrator Hank Hudson is hopeful the hold will end soon since Westland Meat Company is the only company providing ground beef for the state to use in the school food program.

Below is a link to a USDA statement released Wednesday, Jan. 31 regarding the investigation of Westland Meat Company.

http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentidm=2008/01/0025.xml

For more information contact Hudson at 406-447-5902.

Page last updated: 01/31/2008