Bright Oak Meats, Inc.: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2023 (USDA)

313.15(a)(3),313.15(a)(1)

HATS Category VIII: Stunning Effectiveness At approximately 0915 hours, the FI, while performing post-mortem inspection, observed the following noncompliance. The FI was across the slaughter floor, in the viscera/carcass inspection area, from the stun box but can see the animals in the stun box once the roll-out door is opened. The FI heard the hand-held captive bolt (HHCB) device discharge and the beef drop in the box. When the roll-out door was opened, the FI observed a beef in sternal recumbency lifting its head straight up in line with its spine. The stun operator immediately retrieved the backup .22 caliber rifle and administered a second stun. The FI observed the beef rolled out of the stun box onto its left side. The animal then lifted its head towards its right shoulder (as described it sounds like a reflex lift). The FI then observed the stun operator administer a security stun with the rifle before shackling and hoisting the animal (a young Angus bull). The CSI took a regulatory control action and applied U.S. Reject tag #B10819605 to the stun box. The SPHV verbally notified the slaughter floor supervisor that FSIS had tagged the stun box and that no animals can be brought in and slaughtered until FSIS removes the tag. The slaughter floor supervisor went to notify plant management. Upon inspection of the dressed head, only one oval-shaped, larger than the diameter of a single .22 caliber bullet, penetrating hole was observed in the target zone of the forehead. The Denver District Management Team was notified through supervisory channels. There have no noncompliance records issued with same root cause in the past 90 days. This establishment operates under a Robust Systematic Approach to the Humane Handling of Livestock.