August 23, 2005
A Wisconsin packing plant is recalling beef from a Canadian cow that was imported to the U.S., despite a mad cow disease-inspired ban. The beef was sent to wholesalers in at least six states, but its not clear whether it made it to grocery stores.
The consumer group Consumers Union criticized the recalls handling, saying the government should have revealed the retail outlets that received the beef.
The cow slipped across the border in a bureaucratic snafu that was only uncovered two weeks later. Inspectors let the cow in, not realizing she was too old, and therefore prohibited from the U.S. food supply. U.S. Agriculture Department officials said that there is minimal chance the cow is a threat to the food supply.
U.S. regulations prohibit the importation of any Canadian cow over 30 months of age, because of concerns about mad cow disease.
Apparently the mix-up was on the Canadian side of the border. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency said it is looking into the matter, and has already dismissed the inspector who cleared the cows entry into the U.S.
The cow was slaughtered and processed in early August at the Green Bay Dressed Beef plant in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Beef from the plant was shipped to wholesalers in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Florida.
