HOFFMAN'S QUALITY MEATS: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2023 (USDA)
See the detail of the non-compliance of humane livestock handling that the USDA observed at the HOFFMAN'S QUALITY MEATS slaughterhouse establishment in 2023.
You can also see other establishments that were non-compliant in 2023.
313.15(a)(1)
At approximately 08:05 AM IPP witnessed the following noncompliance with HATS Category VIII: Stunning Effectiveness. The establishment employees had just returned from their break and were moving animals from the barn into the alley. Kill Floor Manager REDACTED told establishment employee REDACTED to go ahead and kill the first beef that they had moved. Mr. REDACTED prepared and fired the bolt gun, however at the moment of firing the heifer turned her head rendering the stun ineffective. IPP was standing at the bottom of the stairs and immediately walked up to see into the knock box. The heifer had no vocalization and acted as if nothing had happened. Mr. REDACTED immediately grabbed the second loaded bolt gun and placed and fired an effective second stun rendering the animal unconscious. Further observation of the skinned-out skull showed 2 holes in the cranium. 1 hole was approximately 2 inches from midline of the effective area for a successful stun and the other hole was on midline in the correct placement. Establishment employee REDACTED is currently in training for stunning and Kill Floor Manager REDACTED was not in the immediate area when Mr. REDACTED was told to stun this heifer. Plant M7415 received a similar NR (YUN1408080528N/1) on 08/28/2023. It is to be noted that a different establishment employee was performing the stunning at that time. However, the corrective action provided by establishment management is proven to be ineffective due to a second occurrence within 10 working days. IPP informed Plant Manager REDACTED at the time of the failure to comply with 9 CFR 313.15 (a)(1). 9 CFR 313.15 (a)(1) states, “The captive bolt stunners shall be applied to the livestock in accordance with this section so as to produce immediate unconsciousness in the animals before they are shackled, hoisted, thrown, cast, or cut. The animals shall be stunned in such a manner that they will be rendered unconscious with a minimum of excitement and discomfort.”
313.15(a)(3),313.15(a)(1)
On 8/28/23 at approximately 0810 hours, IPP observed the following non-compliance with HATS category VIII, Stunning Effectiveness, as part of the Livestock Humane Handling Task. A slaughter floor employee brought hogs into the alley way leading up to the knock box. He followed up by sorting and allowing one hog at a time into the knock box for stunning. Just as he applied the first captive bolt stunning attempt to the second hog, the animal moved its head, causing the stun to be misplaced, rendering it ineffective and causing the hog to vocalize. The employee quickly grabbed the backup captive bolt and effectively administered a second captive bolt stun, which was effective at rendering the hog unconscious prior to shackling, hoisting, sticking or bleeding. The establishment does have a Robust Systematic Approach to Livestock Humane Handling and followed the plan. Assistant Plant Manager, Mr. REDACTED, and Slaughter Floor Supervisor, Mr. REDACTED, were notified of the establishment’s failure to comply with the following 9 CFR requirements. 9 CFR 313.15(a)(1) The captive bolt stunners shall be applied to the livestock in accordance with this section so as to produce immediate unconsciousness in the animals before they are shackled, hoisted, thrown, cast, or cut. The animals shall be stunned in such a manner that they will be rendered unconscious with a minimum of excitement and discomfort. 9 CFR 313.15(a)(3) Immediately after the stunning blow is delivered the animals shall be in a state of complete unconsciousness and remain in this condition throughout shackling, sticking and bleeding
