What's the beef?

School cafeterias are pulling beef from the menu while the U.S. Department of Agriculture investigates charges of inhumane and unsafe treatment of cattle at a slaughterhouse that supplies the school lunch program.

The allegations surfaced as a result of an investigation by The Humane Society of the United States. The group produced a video allegedly documenting animals too sick to walk being forced to their feet so that they could pass USDA inspection. To see the video, visit the Humane Society web site here.

Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco schools have pulled beef from their menus. School officials say they don't know whether the beef products were exposed to any risk, but they are playing it safe.

"I don't want to confuse our parents by serving a beef product and having them wonder whether their child is at risk," said Rick Kurtz, director of food and nutrition services in Pasco schools. "We're being ultra-conservative."

Pinellas students were scheduled to eat meatball subs yesterday -- and a potato turbate today. Gray Miller, director of school food and services in Pinellas, said lunchroom managers instead will serving chicken, turkey or pork.

"We believe everything is perfectly safe, but we've been instructed to hold," she said.

Pasco is planning to substitute pork and chicken for the tacos on the menu for elementary schools next week. Unless beef products get a green light later this week, Pasco students won't be seeing hamburgers next Wednesday or meatballs in their spaghetti next Thursday.

Comments

[VeganRaw]

Poor cows! I saw the video and was appalled. Anyway, man was made to walk and gather grains and berrys. Why the beef anyway?

[bullstone]

I applaud your very fine story and comments and appeal to you to visit my blog site http://bullstone-larrym.blogspot.com/ and see the evidence of rat fecal contamination in meats produced by an instrument of the State of Florida department of Corrections. I have been battling with the USDA to issue a recall on the millions of pounds of meat the State of Florida produced under contract for my company. This meat was distributed nation wide to schools, supermarkets and institutions. When we discovered that this Florida State division was storing food supplies and edible ingredients in a rat infested warehouse we began our quest to get this information to the public and get accountability placed on those who allowed this to happen. When you read the information on my blog you will see the validity of both our stories .I support your efforts and request your support of mine. Regards Larry Stone

[Just a question]

What's a potato turbate?

[Foodman]

I think if consumers knew about the inhumane and cruel treatment of migrant farm workers they would eat nothing but meat.

[Hank]

I cannot believe this ridiculous action taken in the name of "political correctness"---which in itself has become a total farce. Insofar as I am concerned, animals are on earth to serve the needs of humans and deserve no further consideration, particularly since it is doubtful that they perceive any feeling other than pain.

[kyle]

There in a slaughter house! inhumane to cows? I think inhumane human treatment makes sense
cook the beef properly and you dont have to worry!

[Trish]

I think if consumers new about the inhumane and cruel treatment of farm animals, many of them would quit eating meat all together. These creatures might be raised to provide food, but they also deserve humane treatment and humane death

[Trish]

I think if consumers new about the inhumane and cruel treatment of farm animals, many of them would quit eating meat all together. These creatures might be raised to provide food, but they also deserve humane treatment and humane death

[KBC]

Watch the film "Fast Food Nation." You will never eat beef again.