Olson Meat Plant: 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 Olson Meat Plant slaughterhouse establishment in 2022.
You can also see other establishments that were non-compliant in 2022.
313.15(a)(1)
On April 06, 2022 at approximately 0810 hours I, SPHV Dr. REDACTED, was informed that there was a non-ambulatory disabled hog in the suspect pen. At 0821 hours, I went to evaluate the hog in the suspect pen. The hog was laying in right lateral recumbency, looking around, and aware of its surroundings. At 0841 hours, I informed Plant Supervisor REDACTED that the hog was not able to stand up on its own, and would not be able to walk to the CO2 stunning unit for slaughter. At approximately 0914 hours, I observed Mr. REDACTED apply the handheld captive bolt gun to the hog’s forehead for the first stun attempt. I observed that the hog was still conscious as the animal was tracking its left eye around the pen and moving its head upwards. I proceeded to inform Mr. REDACTED that the hog was still conscious. Mr. REDACTED walked up to the hog and I inquired if there was a backup captive bolt gun available for stunning. He informed me that he was unsure, and he proceeded to test fire the captive bolt gun over the concrete barrier between the suspect pen and the alleyway to the CO2 chamber entry. At 0921 hours, Mr. REDACTED applied the captive bolt gun to the hog’s forehead again, after which the hog was still moving its eyes and following my movements outside of the suspect pen. I informed Mr. REDACTED that the hog was still conscious and asked again if he had any alternative device used for stunning, and if they test their weapons before using them. He walked back to the side entrance to look for an alternative device and could not find one. When he walked back to the suspect pen, he let me know he would be switching out with another employee. Mr. REDACTED went to the slaughter floor to get another employee, and at 0925 hours the other employee came in and stunned the hog effectively with the captive bolt device. I informed Mr. REDACTED that I would be issuing a humane handling noncompliance following the missed-stun. At 0937 hours, I applied U.S. Rejected tag # B45184620 to the entry doors of the CO2 chamber. I then informed Mr. REDACTED that no further stunning would be allowed due to the inhumane handling of livestock. This event was an egregious noncompliance to 9 CFR 313.15(a)(1) regulations and resulted in a Notice of Suspension issued to the establishment.
