HOFFMAN'S QUALITY MEATS: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2024 (USDA)

313.15(a)(1)

On 3/5/24 at approximately 0755, IPP observed a humane handling noncompliance with HATS Category VIII, Stunning Effectiveness. A white, ram, lamb was brought onto the kill floor for slaughter. The establishment employee held the animals head and attempted a knock with the .25 caliber penetrative captive bolt. The animal did not fully drop and demonstrated a righting reflex. The establishment employee followed their robust systematic approach and immediately applied a second knock with the captive bolt that rendered the lamb unconscious. The lamb was then shackled, hoisted, and bled out. When the lamb’s head was skinned it was noted that there were was one large hole in the skull at the top of the poll. The two consecutive shots were overlapping of each other. Taking more than one stunning attempt to achieve unconsciousness represents a noncompliance with regulation 9CFR 313.15(a)(1), which states: "The captive bolt shall be applied to the livestock in accordance with this section so as to produce immediate unconsciousness in the animal with a single shot before it is shackled, hoisted, thrown, cast, or cut. The animal shall be stunned in such a manner that they will be rendered unconscious with a minimum of excitement and discomfort." This noncompliance was in HATS category VIII "Stunning Effectiveness". This noncompliance is being associated with a similar humane handling noncompliance YUN1407021101N that occurred on 2/1/24. Mr. REDACTED was notified of the non-compliance at approximately 0800 hours.

313.16(a)(1)

On 2/1/24, at approximately 0727 hours, the following non-compliance was witnessed by Food Inspector REDACTED and reported to SCSI REDACTED; HATS #8, Stunning Effectiveness A very large sow was brought into the knocking pen for stunning. An employee shot the sow with a 22 magnum rifle, at which time the sow dropped to the floor. Employees then opened the knock box allowing the sow to roll out onto the kill floor. Food Inspector REDACTED indicated that the were no vocalizations by the sow. When the employee approached the sow to "stick" it, the sow stood up and stumbled approximately 4-6 feet backwards toward the door to the holding pens. Upon seeing the sow stand, another employee immediately brought a 22 caliber captive bolt stunner over and the sow was stunned with the captive bolt gun, falling against and through the doorway to the kill pens. The sow again dropped, showing no signs of consciousness. At that time the sow was stuck and bled out. SCSI REDACTED took regulatory control action, placing US Rejected tag #B21 164351 on the knock box at approximately 0735 hours. Post-mortem examination of the skull revealed two wounds in the head. The first shot (22 magnum) was placed centered and just above the eyes near the ear level. This shot penetrated approximately 1/2" into the skull but did not fully penetrate into brain cavity. The second shot (captive bolt) was slightly above and to the right of the first, this shot fully penetrated the skull into the brain cavity. Manager REDACTED was notified of the establishment's failure to comply with 9CFR313.16(a)(1).

313.16(a)(1),313.16(a)(3)

On 11/30/23 at approximately 0720 hours while performing a routine Humane Handling Task, HATS Category number 8- Stunning Effectiveness, I, CSI REDACTED witnessed the following. Slaughter floor supervisor REDACTED attempted to stun a hog with a .22 caliber semi automatic rifle. Mr. REDACTED allowed two hogs into the knock box. For safety reasons, IPP were just outside of the door to the slaughter floor. IPP heard the first shot. One of the hogs squealed loudly. IPP then heard a second shot approximately 45 seconds later. Assuming the two hogs in the knock box had been shot, IPP started to enter the slaughter floor and were instructed to wait. IPP then heard a third shot. IPP entered the slaughter floor area and noted three shots and only two hogs were stunned. When asked, Mr. REDACTED told IPP he had to shoot the first hog twice. Mr. REDACTED stated the hog had moved it’s head as he fired the first shot. He also noted that these hogs did have very large ears that folded over the hogs eyes, therefore it was harder for him to aim at the center of the hogs head. Through the issuance of this noncompliance report, the management of establishment 07415, Hoffman Meat’s, is notified of the failure to comply with the following 9 CFR requirements. 9 CFR 313.16(a)(1) The firearms shall be employed in the delivery of a bullet or projectile into the animal in accordance with this section so as to produce immediate unconsciousness in the animal by a single shot before it is shackled, hoisted, thrown, cast, or cut. The animal shall be shot in such a manner that they will be rendered unconscious with a minimum of excitement and discomfort. 9 CFR 313.16(a)(3) Immediately after the firearm is discharged and the projectile is delivered, the animal shall be in a state of complete unconsciousness and remain in this condition throughout shackling, sticking and bleeding.

313.1

At approximately 1145 hours while performing ante-mortem inspection, IPP observed the following HATS Category VII – Slips and Falls noncompliance: While an establishment employee was moving two beef cows from the northern most pen in the barn, the black cows left hind leg slipped out from under her and landed on her hip after which she immediately stood herself back up and continued walking. The establishment employee was walking the animals at a normal walking pace and the animals were neither excited nor "jumpy". U.S. Reject tag number B21164341 was applied to the pen and walkway where the animal fell and will be removed once the establishment provides adequate footing to prevent slipping and falling. The establishment is in non-compliance with 9 CFR 313.1 (b) because they did not provide adequate footing and traction to prevent the animal from slipping and falling. A non-compliance was documented on 11-21-23 with NR YUN5210112621N/1 for a similar cause and the establishment has either failed to implement a preventative measure or the preventative measure implemented was not effective.

313.1

At approximately 0800 hours while performing HATS Category VII – Slips and Falls, IPP observed the following noncompliance: A large healthy steer that had passed ante-mortem inspection earlier in the morning was found down in the pen with its back legs splayed to the side. After several attempts to rise in the presence of IPP the animal was unable to do so. IPP inquired if the establishment had any Barn Grip for traction and establishment personnel stated they did not have any on hand. The pen had been recently cleaned and nothing had been applied to the concrete to add traction. During ante-mortem inspection, the same steer was ambulatory and walking normally with no indication of orthopedic or neurologic disease. The establishment is in non-compliance with 9 CFR 313.1 (b) because they did not provide adequate footing and traction to prevent the animal from slipping and falling.