Clausen Meat Company Inc.: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2022 (USDA)
See the detail of the non-compliance of humane livestock handling that the USDA observed at the Clausen Meat Company Inc. slaughterhouse establishment in 2022.
You can also see other establishments that were non-compliant in 2022.
313.5
While verifying HATS Category 8 Stunning Effectiveness during ante-mortem inspection, as I was standing at the end of the conveyor belt of the CO2 chamber, I observed 2 market hogs that appeared to begin breathing as they were being hung on the line. The first hog was immediately electrically stunned by REDACTED (plant employee overseeing CO2 chamber) and no other signs indicated that it regained consciousness. As the 2nd hog in question was closer to me, I immediately touched the cornea of the second hog, there was an immediate blink and the head arched backed slightly. The hog that reacted to a corneal tap also began breathing with increased effort. REDACTED immediately stepped in with REDACTED (Establishment owner) and stunned the market hog with the backup electric stunner. The hog was no longer responsive to corneal tap after electric stunning. I informed Mr. REDACTED that the second hog was ineffectively stunned in the CO2 system and I had the CSI reject the CO2 system by placing USDA Reject/Retain Tag #B45482732 to the shut off valve of the CO2 chamber controls. Mr. REDACTED (Establishment Manager) arrived at the CO2 chamber, and I informed him of my observations, and that the CO2 chamber had been rejected. There was already a second boat of market hogs in the CO2 system and at the end of this cycle all of the hogs in this boat were effectively stunned. Immediate corrective actions proffered by Mr. REDACTED was to evaluate the CO2 system and contact the establishment’s Humane Handling Advisor Dr. REDACTED. The Frontline Supervisor and District Veterinary Medical Specialist were contacted for discussion. This is a regulatory non-compliance per 9 CFR 313.5(a)(3) which states in part “ On emerging from the carbon dioxide tunnel, the animals shall be in a state of surgical anesthesia and shall remain in this condition throughout shackling, sticking, and bleeding”. At 0437hrs Mr. REDACTED provided additional corrective actions verbally: 1. Limit market hogs in CO2 boats to 8-10 per boat 2. Changed the CO2 machine filter and increased CO2 concentration 3. Add 2nd person to check for consciousness coming out of the CO2 chamber. 4. Increased time of exposure to CO2 from 160 seconds to 200 seconds
