Chaudhry Meat Company, Inc.: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2023 (USDA)

313.1

While conducting a routine Livestock Humane Handling task, on March 8, 2023, at approximately 1115, Food Inspector REDACTED observed the following noncompliance: While at the scale (pen 5) FI REDACTED noticed a metal wire near the back entry door of the pen approximately 3ft in length sticking out into the pen. The location of the metal wire could possibly cause injury to the face or body of an animal. At the time the task was being conducted, there were four cows in the pen to be inspected. The FI rejected the pen with tag #B30935711. An establishment employee safely removed the animals into a different pen. The establishment fixed the loose metal wire, the area was inspected again, and the U.S. reject tag was removed. The establishment failed to comply with 9CFR 313.1.

313.2

On March 7th at approximately 11:15 while performing routine antemortem inspection duties in the barn facility at Chaudhry Halal Meats (M19697), Food Inspector REDACTED came upon a cow restrained in an area adjacent to the loading dock that had no water available. She informed Plant Manager REDACTED and then called the Inspector-in-charge for the establishment, PHV REDACTED. I, REDACTED, arrived at the establishment at 11:54 and began interviewing, first Plant Manager REDACTED who informed me that the cow appeared weak and had been moved to the from holding pen 3 to the animal delivery dock for observation to see if it might recover strength well enough to be slaughtered. The cow was moved from the delivery dock to the location where it was found by Food Inspector REDACTED so that a group of ostriches that had recently arrived could be unloaded. Prior to my arrival, the establishment personnel had humanely euthanized the cow by stunning it with a captive bolt device immediately followed by slashing of its neck as reported by Food Inspector REDACTED. After investigating the incident and discussions with Front Line Supervisor REDACTED and DVMS REDACTED, I informed Mr. REDACTED that I would be issuing a Noncompliance Record for failing to provide water for the cow in the area where it was held. The absence of accessible water for the cow was a failure to comply with 9 CFR 313.2(e), “Animals shall have access to water in all holding pens...”.

313.2

While conducting a routine Livestock Humane Handling inspection task on January 5, 2023, Food Inspector REDACTED observed the following noncompliance conditions: At approximately 1355, while conducting antemortem inspection, FI REDACTED observed pen #3 which held 4 cows and pen #4 which held 5 cows without any water, in the water dispenser. The current outside temperature is approximately 65 degrees Fahrenheit. FI REDACTED notified REDACTED (CSI) immediately of the deviation. Establishment employee began to immediately add water to each water dispenser. I, REDACTED (CSI) notified Ms. REDACTED (QA Supervisor) about the observation that both myself and FI REDACTED observed. Establishment stated that the automatic water dispenser is not working properly, and they must hand fill each water dispenser throughout the day. To correct this occurrence the establishment moved all the animals from pen #3 and pen #4, placed them in pens with working automatic water dispensers. Any animals that are not slaughtered at the end of the shift will be moved to the new barn with working automatic water dispensers, for the evening to ensure they are getting water. This is a violation of 9 CFR 313.2(e) which states “Animals shall have access to water in all holding pens and, if held longer than 24 hours, access to feed...”. This noncompliance record is associated with noncompliance record #ZCA3907122228N/1

313.2

While conducting a routine Livestock Humane Handling inspection task on December 28, 2022, Food Inspector REDACTED observed the following noncompliance conditions: At approximately 0708, F.I. REDACTED observed water frozen solid in the water dispenser in holding pen #3 which held one animal (Cow) ready for antemortem inspection, F.I. REDACTED also observed water frozen solid in the water dispenser in holding pen #4 which held three animals (Bulls) ready for antemortem inspection. I, REDACTED (CSI) instructed FI REDACTED to tag both pen’s #3 and #4 with U.S. Reject tags #B38504666 and #B38504665. Mr. REDACTED (General Manager) was notified immediately and instructed establishment employee to fill water dispensers. I discussed the issue with Mr. REDACTED (General Manager) and Ms. REDACTED (QA Supervisor) who stated that due to the cold weather, water available to the animals freezes throughout the night. To correct this action Mr. REDACTED instructed establishment employee to hand fill water dispenser with warm water, Mr. REDACTED also instructed an establishment employee to continuously refill the water dispensers throughout the day and to break any ice that may form. This is a violation of 9 CFR 313.2(e) which states “Animals shall have access to water in all holding pens and, if held longer than 24 hours, access to feed...”.