Information Alert: USDA Administrative Hold

Nutrition Services Division Information Alert
To: Food Distribution Program Recipient Agencies	Number: NSD-FDP-01-2008
Attention: Food Program (or Service) Director	Date: February 2008
Subject: USDA Administrative Hold on Coarse and Fine Ground Beef

The United States Department of Agriculture (UDSA) has placed an administrative hold on all Westland Meat Company products produced between January 1, 2007 and January 30, 2008. The California Department of Education advises agencies not to use beef products from Westland until further notice. In addition, we recommend that agencies not use any processed end-products containing beef pending further instructions.

The commodity ground beef involved with this hold are:

Fine Ground Beef 40 (USDA Code A608) sent to agencies via:
Private And State Distribution Centers
MCI Foods
Rose and Shore Meat, Inc.
Beef Bulk Coarse (USDA Code A594) sent to the following commodity processors:
Don Lee Farms
Pierre Foods
JTM Provisions, Inc.
Integrated
Advanced Food Company

While the Food Distribution Program is working with these processors to identify end-products made with Westland meat, we cannot be certain at this time what processed end-products you may have received that contain Westland meat. We are advising your agency not to serve any processed end-products containing commodity beef unless and until we know that the beef was not from Westland.

Westland Meat Company has been suspended indefinitely as a supplier to Federal food and nutrition programs. The suspension will remain in effect until all investigations are complete and appropriate action is taken by the USDA. Under the suspension, no further contracts will be awarded to Westland Meat Company. Additionally, Westland Meat Company will not produce or deliver any products currently under contract.

Please see the attached statement by the USDA Agriculture Secretary, Ed Schafer regarding this Hold.

Please share this information with your district/agency management and business personnel as appropriate. If you have any questions regarding this subject, please contact Carol Guenther-Wilson, Commodity Consultant at 916-324-9875 or by e-mail at cguenthe@cde.ca.gov. You may also contact Amy Bell, Commodity Consultant at 916-322-5051 or by e-mail at abell@cde.ca.gov.