USDA Recalls Beef from Westland Hallmark Meat Company

The US Department of Agriculture has recalled more than 140-million pounds of frozen beef from a Southern California slaughterhouse.

USDA officials are calling it the largest beef recall in US history following a leaked video showing sick and crippled animals being tortured at the Westland/Hallmark Meat Company.

Westland/Hallmark Meat Company supplies meat to the federal school lunch programs and several fast-food chains. The USDA says the recall affects beef products dating back to February 1, 2006.

More than 100 school districts around the nation have already stopped using the company's beef in their menus.

Federal officials suspended operations at Westland/Hallmark and launched an initial investigation after a video surfaced from the Human Society showing disabled animals being kicked, dragged and pushed around at the company's Chino, California slaughterhouse.

Meanwhile, the USDA is doing a complete investigation to determine how its own inspectors completely missed federal rules and that abuse of sick animals was taking place.