Beef Recall News

It has been reported extensively in the news that there is a Beef "Hold and Recall" issued by the USDA that could affect school cafeterias across the United States. USDA officials have said there is little health risk from the meat.

Here is the status of beef products in the Stow-Munroe Falls City School Cafeterias.

To date, the district has received three cases of the Beef Taco Filling and 16 cases of the Charbroiled Beef Burgers that are on the "Hold & Recall" list. All other beef products received are not affected.

"All product has been identified and isolated until we receive further instructions from the U.S. Department of Agriculture," said Food Service Supervisor Dianne Simko. "We have scheduled a menu change at Echo Hills for tomorrow, Feb. 21. All other school lunch menus will not be affected, as we were able to place a new order from our major food distributor, Gordon Food Service (GFS).

"While the government has not been very forthcoming with their information, GFS has been," said Simko. "We have received several pages of product code numbers, production dates, and production codes to check against our deliveries. All of the school cafeteria managers have been supplied with these lists and have been instructed to check and double-check all inventories received."

Extensive investigation of suppliers, internet and news reports indicate that this "Hold & Recall" is due to Hallmark/Westland Meat Company's possible violation of USDA regulations as they pertain to the operating procedures of meat processing plants.

If you have further questions or concerns, please contact Dianne Simko at 330-689-5443.

Page posted 2/20/08