USDA Undersecretary for Food Safety Richard Raymond explained, "there is a remote probability that the recalled beef products could cause adverse health effects if consumed." He added that much of the food supply already been distributed at the market may have already been consumed by the public.
Assistant Administrator for Field Operations for the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) of the USDA, Kenneth Petersen said, that the federal government think the food supply is safe, contrary to what they had earlier claimed that the meat process may not be safe for human consumption.
"But we think this recall is important and we think it's important for parents to know that the schools are taking action to put those products on hold," Peterson told CNN.
The USDA ordered what they say is the largest meat recall in American history, amounting to as much as 143 million pounds, shortly after the discovery of health violations by employees of the Westland Meat and its partner Hallmark Meat Company.
