We have seen several claims and innuendo of poor beef inspection on this site.
I've felt they might not be real accurate.
The story I read in Denver Record Stockman has no attribution of source, but it's interesting.
A condensation of that article:
"Random residue testing is used at USDA inspected plants.
ANY animal originating from a list of producers who are on the residue violators list is tested.
Any "red flag" cattle (those showing inflamed or discolored lungs or other organs, fresh injection sites, unthrifty looking animals) are tested.
Seasoned meat inspectors are so in tune they can anticipate animals that may have been recently treated as needles and product do leave their mark under the skin or in the muscle for a long time.
IF A CARCASS LOOKS SUSPICIOUS, it is side-railed and a test is performed at the pland. If positive, the tissue is tested in-depth to detect residues at finer levels.
Producers caught with positive animals are "punished" economically by the packer, "encouraging" them, and others to better observe the withdrawal times.
One gondola of hamburger may have muscle tissue from over 250 animals, and once ground, a single hamburger will represent the same number of cows IDENTIFIED to that gondola.
A sample from each gondola is tested for e-coli and drug residues. If violations are found, the entire batch must be disposed of.
The gondola is traced back to the plant of harvest, and if the plant kept good records, they can trace it back to the owners of cattle that went into that harvest mix.
Think of the economic loss to all segments of the industry because of one violation!"
Every cattle producer should consider their actions well when they take a short-cut in proper injection site and dosage as well as fudging on withdrawal times to prevent drug residues. Those who fail to act responsibly, IMO, are effectively stealing from the rest of us who are penalized along with them when the hamburger has to be removed from the food supply and disposed of.
MRJ
I've felt they might not be real accurate.
The story I read in Denver Record Stockman has no attribution of source, but it's interesting.
A condensation of that article:
"Random residue testing is used at USDA inspected plants.
ANY animal originating from a list of producers who are on the residue violators list is tested.
Any "red flag" cattle (those showing inflamed or discolored lungs or other organs, fresh injection sites, unthrifty looking animals) are tested.
Seasoned meat inspectors are so in tune they can anticipate animals that may have been recently treated as needles and product do leave their mark under the skin or in the muscle for a long time.
IF A CARCASS LOOKS SUSPICIOUS, it is side-railed and a test is performed at the pland. If positive, the tissue is tested in-depth to detect residues at finer levels.
Producers caught with positive animals are "punished" economically by the packer, "encouraging" them, and others to better observe the withdrawal times.
One gondola of hamburger may have muscle tissue from over 250 animals, and once ground, a single hamburger will represent the same number of cows IDENTIFIED to that gondola.
A sample from each gondola is tested for e-coli and drug residues. If violations are found, the entire batch must be disposed of.
The gondola is traced back to the plant of harvest, and if the plant kept good records, they can trace it back to the owners of cattle that went into that harvest mix.
Think of the economic loss to all segments of the industry because of one violation!"
Every cattle producer should consider their actions well when they take a short-cut in proper injection site and dosage as well as fudging on withdrawal times to prevent drug residues. Those who fail to act responsibly, IMO, are effectively stealing from the rest of us who are penalized along with them when the hamburger has to be removed from the food supply and disposed of.
MRJ