U.S. orders largest-ever beef recall, though most already eaten - MarketWatch

U.S. orders largest-ever beef recall, though most already eaten - MarketWatch

TEL AVIV (MarketWatch) -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture ordered the largest meat recall in U.S. history on Sunday -- 143 million pounds -- after the agency's food-safety unit found raw, fresh and frozen beef sold by a California producer was unfit for consumption.

The company in question, Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Co. of Chino, Calif., was accused of animal cruelty by the Humane Society of the U.S. An investigation by the group found the company processed cows that were too sick or injured to walk, in violation of the agriculture department's rules.

Ron Vogel, an executive with the Food and Nutrition Service, said on a conference call transcribed on the agriculture department's Web site that almost all the meat has been consumed.