Eickman's Processing Co., Inc.: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2024 (USDA)
See the detail of the non-compliance of humane livestock handling that the USDA observed at the Eickman's Processing Co., Inc. slaughterhouse establishment in 2024.
You can also see other establishments that were non-compliant in 2024.
313.15(b)(1)(iii),313.15(a)(1)
At approximately 8:30 am on Thursday March 14th, 2024, while conducting a livestock humane handling task and observing stunning effectiveness (HATS Category VIII), inspector REDACTED and state vet Dr. REDACTED observed the establishment fail to render an animal insensible with a captive bolt gun on the first attempt. At the time of the occurrence, the heifer was excited and jumping around while unrestrained in the knock box. As the kill floor employee attempted to stun the animal, it moved its head, causing the captive bolt gun to make contact with the head but not render the animal insensible. The animal remained standing and conscious. The establishment employee immediately grabbed the backup pre-loaded captive bolt gun and made a second stunning attempt, which rendered the animal insensible. Once the carcass was bled out and the head was skinned, two penetrating holes in the target location were identified, with one not going deep enough to cause unconsciousness. At that point, plant owner REDACTED was notified of the incident. The establishment failed to comply with the regulatory requirements prescribed in 9 CFR 313.15(a)(1) and 313.15(b)(1)(iii).
313.1
On November 2, 2023 at approximately 8am Inspector REDACTED and FSIS Vet REDACTED while conducting a routine HATS task as category 4 noticed that there is some corrosion and sharp edges with noticeable hair breaking away on the doorway north side of the kill floor going from the kill floor out to the animal holding pens. REDACTED and REDACTED both believed this was a violation of 9 CFR 313.1(a). 313.1 Livestock pens, driveways and ramps. (a) Livestock pens, driveways and ramps shall be maintained in good repair. They shall be free from sharp or protruding objects which may, in the opinion of the inspector, cause injury or pain to the animals. Inspector REDACTED and FSIS Vet REDACTED notified kill floor supervisor REDACTED who took immediate control and was already talking about ways to put a temporary fix the problem until they can get a more permanent fix to the doorway.
