If you were wondering whether the recent recall of potentially “sick” beef by the Department of Agriculture affected local schools, breathe f a sigh of relief. According to the Amador School District, local schools have no association with the meat or Meat Packing Company that allegedly mistreated cows and distributed sick meat to schools and restaurants. Hallmark Meat Packing of Chino, Calif., supplies food products to federal school-lunch programs across California and the nation. Workers at the slaughterhouse were videotaped in an undercover investigation by the Humane Society of the United States as they cruelly kicked, prodded and dragged sick cattle to slaughter.

This prompted the Department of Agriculture to order the recall of 143 million pounds of frozen beef – the largest beef recall in the United States -- surpassing a 1999 ban of 35 million pounds of ready-to-eat meats. No illnesses have been linked to the newly recalled meat, and officials said the health threat was likely small. Cattle that are too sick to stand on their own feet are considered "downed" by federal regulations and are generally not allowed to be slaughtered for the human food supply. No charges have been filed against Westland, but an investigation by federal authorities continues. Two former employees were charged Friday on five felony counts of animal cruelty, and three misdemeanors were filed against a pen manager. Fast food restaurants such as Jack In The Box and In-N-Out have used the slaughter company’s beef in the past, but have since stated that their relationship with the company has ended. The National Cattlemen’s Association also spoke out against the Hallmark companies actions, saying, “We support the USDA’s actions today to enforce the laws that ensure our cattle are handled with care and that our beef is produced safely.”