HOW MUCH MORE DOES THE USDA WANT TO HIDE AND COVER-UP

U.S.D.A. mulls limiting meat recall information
(MEATPOULTRY.com, March 27, 2008)by Bryan Salvage
WASHINGTON ― The U.S. Department of Agriculture is considering a proposal to not identify retailers where meat cited in recalls was sold except in cases of potential serious health risks to consumers as it puts the final touches on a proposed disclosure rule, according to The Associated Press.
This proposal had reportedly been in draft form for two years until it was pushed to the front burner in February, when 143 million pounds of beef were recalled by Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Co. in Chino, Calif.U.S.D.A. spokesman Chris Connelly confirmed yesterday that the agency is trying to decide whether to make identifying the stores mandatory only for Class I recalls, which pose the greatest health hazard. The Hallmark/Westland recall was categorized as Class II because authorities determined there was minimal risk to human health.
Currently, U.S.D.A. only discloses a recall has been issued, but does not list which retailers might have received meat or poultry subject to a given recall. Consumer groups and Democratic lawmakers contend that the public should have access to the names of retailers in all meat recalls. As originally written, the rule would have applied to all meat recalls, AP said.Industry groups support the way recalls are currently done, partly for competitive reasons, where a description of the recalled product is released by U.S.D.A.’s Food Safety and Inspection Service along with other information including where it was produced, AP said. Although retailers must remove recalled meat from their shelves, there is no requirement that they notify customers about meat already sold. Some, however, voluntarily disclose this information.