However, the USDA said the recall has minimal health risks as the meat as the move was a Class 2 recall, meaning the USDA was not expecting the meat could cause harm if consumed. Most of the beef were purchased mostly for school lunch and other nutrition programs.
A meat plant in California violating rules on cattle inspection has caused the largest beef recall in U.S. History. The Department of Agriculture has ordered the recall of some 64.9 million kilograms of beef.
The recall dwarfed the 1995 move when some 15.9 million kilograms of ready-to-eat meat was recalled.
Authorities said the recall was made after the Westland/Hallmark Meat Co. violated some inspection of cattle, which lost their ability to walk before being slaughtered. The company is also being investigated for animal cruelty.
Cattle that were not able to walk prior to being slaughtered puts them at greater risk for being sick from E. coli, salmonella or mad cow disease contamination.
