New Mexico’s Valley Meat Co. is appealing a state fine of $86,400 for improper disposal of composted cattle remains. Valley Meat gained notoriety earlier this year when it applied to USDA for equine inspection services to open a horse slaughter facility for export at its closed beef plant near Roswell, NM.
The New Mexico Environment Department issued a compliance order Aug 2, citing Valley Meat for failure to register as a compositing facility for property located near the slaughterhouse, and for failing to properly dispose of solid waste. Valley Meat received the order and notice about the fine by e-mail on Aug. 14. Company attorney A. Blair Dunn said Valley Meat would file an appeal and request a hearing by state officials. New Mexico’s order came after a 2 year stand off over Valley Meat’s failure to move a 400 ton pile of composted cattle remains because a local landfill could not receive the waste due to state restrictions. As for registering the site, Dunn says the state lost two previous applications and then took the position that the third one was not filed in a timely manner. After President Obama and Congress last year lifted a 5 year ban on horse slaughter inspection, Valley Meats filed an application that is still pending for equine inspection services at the closed facility it had once used for beef. Horse slaughter opponents sought to discredit Valley Meats in its application for equine inspections by using the two-year-old problem with the pile of dead cows at the Roswell plant. An inspector for USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service had first questioned the 15-foot pile of rotting cow flesh in January 2010. Valley may resume beef operations while it waits for action on its request for equine inspection services.
The News Desk team at Food Safety News covers breaking developments, regulatory updates, recalls, and key topics shaping food safety today. These articles are produced collaboratively by our editorial staff.
Authorities in an Italian region have suspended the sale of tomatoes in canteens after reports of Salmonella infections.
Following a notification from officials in the Puglia region regarding cases of
Plans to create Scottish-specific pathogen thresholds have been dropped, according to an update on foodborne illness in the country.
Food Standards Scotland (FSS) said it would follow the approach
Microbiological risks and mycotoxin levels in plant-based dairy alternatives are generally low but consumer storage practices and product ingredients can significantly impact safety, according to research in Finland.
Findings
Health representatives from the Americas have approved an updated strategy to improve food safety systems and reduce foodborne diseases.
Foodborne infections cause about 78,000 deaths in the region each
Stewart’s Shops Corp. of Saratoga Springs, NY is recalling two flavors, Heavenly Medley and Vanilla-Chocolate-Strawberry, of half-gallon ice cream because of the potential presence of metal.
WinCo Foods of Boise, ID, is recalling the following Salsa Bean Dip Trays because of the inclusion of recalled peperoncini from G.L. Mezzetta.
* WinCo Foods Salsa Bean Dip Tray,
EAK Distribution of Casper, WY, is recalling Home Grown Green Sprouting Calabrese Broccoli Seeds, Heirloom, in 8-ounce packages because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.
Home
