USA Beef Packing, LLC: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2023 (USDA)

313.30(a)(3),313.30(b)(2),313.15(a)(1)

HATS Category VIII: Stunning Effectiveness 9 CFR 313.30(a)(3), CFR 9 313.30 (b)(2), and 9 CFR 313.15 (a)(1) On 7/22/23 at approximately 8:30am I, SPHV Dr. REDACTED, heard a hog squealing from the knock box area at USA Beef, Est. 51303. I immediately made my way to the knock box and noted that the standing hog had a burnt nose and the knocker was attempting to stun the animal with the electrical stunner. This attempt did not work as the animal was still on its feet and was continuing to move about, it was also vocalizing. He then decided to use the captive bolt. The animal while still standing moved its head during the attempted knock which caused the captive bolt to entirely miss the animal resulting in the missed stun. The captive bolt was then handed to another person. This person had to find another charge, load the captive bolt, and he then attempted to knock the animal which made contact with the animal but did not render the animal unconscious. The hog was still standing and vocalizing. Another knock was performed and made contact but again the animal remained standing and vocalizing. The fourth attempt was an effective stun and rendered the animal unconscious. The hog immediately dropped to the ground, stopped vocalizing and had no corneal reflex. This is a noncompliance due to CFR 313.30(a)(3), CFR 313.30(b)(2), and CFR 313.15(a)(1). REDACTED Food Safety Manager was notified of this Non Compliance. I immediately rejected the knocking box placed Reject tag B42123972 on the knock box. I then called FLS REDACTED, for further instruction.

313.2(f),313.30(a)(4)

On April 12 at approximately 8:15am while performing HAT Category VIII, Stunning Effectiveness task I observed the following noncompliance, a pig was electrically stunned with a stunner behind the ears. The animal was then rolled out of the shoot and its throat was cut. While bleeding out rhythmic breathing was noticed as well as a corneal reflex Indicating the animal was in transition to consciousness. I had to prompt the employee watching to do something to remedy the situation. The employee then used a captive bolt on the animal to return the animal from the transition phase back to fully unconscious. I informed REDACTED, Director of FSQA, of the noncompliance according to 9CFR313.2(f) and 9CFR313.30(a)(4) . The electrical stunner was immediately changed to the higher setting and a captive bolt security knock was added to their protocol.