District learns plants that may process Westland beef

Newport-Mesa School District recently received more details concerning the distribution of beef from a slaughterhouse where cattle was allegedly treated inhumanely and may have been tainted.

The update from the Department of Education on Westland Meat Company’s beef outlines some of the meat processing plants that may have used the company’s beef.

The processors who have made products that may or may not contain Westland beef are: Don Lee Farms; JTM Provisions Inc.; and Advanced Food Company, according to the update. Processors instructed to place a hold on all Westland beef included MCI Foods; Rose and Shore Meat Inc.; and the other processors mentioned above. The initial hold on Westland beef will end on Monday when the USDA will make recommendations for further action.

USDA officials said consumers are safe to purchase beef, but to make sure the beef was not from Westland Meat Company.

Westland came under fire last week when workers for Hallmark, one of the company’s slaughterhouses, were accused of using electrical prods, forklifts and chains to move downed cattle to slaughter. Officials are concerned the downed cattle were sick and had a higher risk of carrying E. coli, Salmonella or mad cow disease.

Westland had a contract to provide beef for schools, including schools in the Newport-Mesa School District. The district put a hold on all beef last Friday.

— Daniel Tedford