US orders huge beef recall

The US has ordered the recall of a massive 64,000 tons of beef as unfit for human consumption.

The meat was sent out by a Californian abattoir that slaughtered animals too ill even to walk.

It was exposed by a secret video shot by animal rights activists showing crippled and sick animals being shoved into the abattoir with forklift trucks.

The Department of Agriculture ordered the recall yesterday, although experts said most of the meat from the Westland company had probably already been eaten.

Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer said: “Because the cattle did not receive complete and proper inspection, Food Safety and Inspection Service has determined them to be unfit for human food.”

No illnesses have been linked to the newly recalled meat, and officials said the health threat was likely small.

Two former Westland employees were charged on Friday with animal cruelty.

Authorities said the video showed workers kicking, shocking and otherwise abusing animals that were apparently too sick or injured to walk into the slaughterhouse.

About 150 school districts around the nation have stopped using ground beef from the packing company associated with Westland.

Most of the beef was sent to distribution centers in bulk packages.