Honest Meats, LLC: 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 Honest Meats, LLC slaughterhouse establishment in 2024.
You can also see other establishments that were non-compliant in 2024.
313.1
On Thursday, June 20th, 2024, at approximately 7:38am, while performing a antemortem inspection, IIC REDACTED (nee REDACTED) observed the following noncompliance with HATS category III Water Availability: When IIC REDACTED went into the barn with plant employee, REDACTED, it was observed that pen #1 containing 6 hogs did not have any water. Mr. REDACTED immediately grabbed the water hose and began to fill the trough; however, several hogs were observed trying to drink the water as it was going into the trough and even from the water hose directly. The same thing was observed for pen #2 containing 3 hogs, pen #6 containing 7 hogs, and pen #5 containing 8 hogs. IIC REDACTED did not have a good visual of the water trough in pen #11 containing 12 hogs to verify water availability, however the hogs were observed attempting to drink water from the hose and the trough while it was being filled. IIC REDACTED also observed pen #7 containing 1 beef with no water at the time of antemortem inspection. Mr. REDACTED again immediately filled the trough with water, and the beef was observed attempting to drink the water from the trough as it was being filled. IIC REDACTED confirmed with plant employee, REDACTED, that these animals had been held overnight. The establishment does have a written systematic approach to humane handling, but it is not considered robust at this time due to the establishment being under a suspension held in abeyance. REDACTED, Logistics Coordinator, was verbally notified of this finding. This noncompliance record serves as written notification.
313.15(a)(1)
On April 25th 2024, at 1:40pm, while preforming a directed Livestock Humane handling task for enforcement action, IIC REDACTED was watching for stunning effectiveness (HATS category VIII) and implementation of the establishments large hog stunning procedure in response to a NOIE (11/22/2023) on a large sow, that the establishment informed me that was 800lbs, and observed the following non-compliance: While verifying stunning effectiveness on the kill floor near the knock box, CSI REDACTED was monitoring REDACTED, kill floor personnel, when he applied the .25 caliber handheld captive bolt to the sow's head. When the .25 caliber handheld captive bolt was applied to the sow, it vocalized and was not affected by the stun. Mr. REDACTED immediately grabbed the preloaded backup .25 caliber handheld captive bolt and applied the second stun. This shot was effective, and the sow was immediately rendered unconscious and dropped to the floor. REDACTED (logistics coordinator) applied electrical current to the sow as a security measure. This does not follow their large hog protocol in their verification plan. The sow remained unconscious throughout bleeding, shackling, and hoisting. IIC REDACTED verified the point of entries on the head were in the correct placement and punctured through the sow's skull. U.S. Rejected tag #B37 724700 was then applied to the knock box temporarily, until further instructions from the SPHV Dr. REDACTED. IIC REDACTED consulted with DVMS Dr. REDACTED who recommended an NR as well as plant reinstatement suspension. IIC REDACTED informed Mr. REDACTED at 2:18pm, verbally of the non-compliance and reinstatement suspension. The U.S. rejected tag remained on the knock box. This is a failure to comply with CFR 313.15(a)(1) immediate unconsciousness. This NR serves as written notice for the establishment.
313.30(a)(3)
On the 19th of March 2024 at 11:45am, while preforming a directed Livestock Humane handling task for enforcement action, IIC REDACTED was watching for stunning effectiveness (HATS category VIII) and implementation of the establishments large hog stunning procedure in response to a NOIE (11/22/2023) on a large Market hog and observed the following non-compliance: While verifying stunning effectiveness on the kill floor near the knock box, CSI REDACTED was monitoring REDACTED, designated kill floor stunner, when he applied the electrical current to the hog's head. When the current was applied to the hog, it vocalized and pulled away from the prongs. Mr. REDACTED immediately removed the stunner from the hog realizing the stun was ineffective. REDACTED (logistics coordinator), who was monitoring, quickly made the decision to switch to the handheld captive bolt device, as well as switch out stunning personnel. REDACTED (kill floor personnel) came over and immediately applied the second stun with the .25 caliber handheld captive bolt device. This was an effective stun. Mr. REDACTED also applied a security knock once the hog was on the floor unconscious. The hog remained unconscious throughout bleeding, shackling, and hoisting. IIC REDACTED did note that the electrical stunning system was set to the highest voltage setting. U.S. Rejected tag #B37 7246995 was then applied to the knock box temporarily, until further instructions from the SPHV Dr. REDACTED. SPHV REDACTED consulted DVMS Dr. REDACTED who recommended an NR with no further enforcement action. IIC REDACTED informed Mr. REDACTED verbally of the non-compliance and the U.S. rejected tag was then removed from the knock box. This is a failure to comply with CFR 313.30(a)(3) immediate insensibility. This NR serves as written notice for the establishment.
313.15(a)(1)
At approximately 11:35am on Wednesday, March 13th, 2024, IIC REDACTED, notified SPHV Dr. REDACTED of a humane handling incident that occurred at Honest Meats. REDACTED IIC notified REDACTED, slaughter supervisor, of the decision to take regulatory control action to prevent the slaughter of animals. IIC REDACTED informed Mr. REDACTED that SPHV REDACTED, would be contacting Raleigh DVMS Dr. REDACTED to discuss the severity of the incident. SPHV REDACTED contacted IIC REDACTED with notification of the decision by the District Office to suspend slaughter operations and the incident is rendered egregious. At approximately 11:30am, while performing a routine livestock humane handling task and verifying HATS category VIII (stunning effectiveness) a noncompliance was observed. Kill floor supervisor, Mr. REDACTED, was stunning a free standing large Holstein steer with horns with hand held captive bolt (.25 caliber) device. The steer dropped and then stood back up. Mr. REDACTED took a second attempt with the same hand held captive bolt device, still not rendering the steer unconscious and the steer remained standing. Mr. REDACTED then left the kill floor to grab the backup stunning device, 9mm pistol, out of the establishment’s locker area located in a room adjacent to the slaughter floor. Mr. REDACTED then applied the third and final shot to the steer, which rendered the steer unconscious. The animal stayed unconscious during the bleeding, shackling, and hoisting steps. Examination of the skull after the head removal and skinning revealed that the first attempt was in the proper placement. The second shot was above eye line and to the right of center line. The third shot was taken from behind the poll of the head and was center. At approximately 11:38am, IIC REDACTED, applied Reject tag No. B18 842178 to the knock box. SPHV REDACTED then contacted Raleigh DVMS REDACTED to discuss the incident and enforcement action. At approximately 11:45am SPHV REDACTED contacted IIC REDACTED that the incident was rendered egregious. IIC REDACTED verbally notified kill floor supervisor Mr. REDACTED, that the plant will be under suspension for the kill floor. At, 11:50am, IIC REDACTED met with REDACTED (Establishment Manager) and REDACTED (Logistics Coordinator) to discuss the Egregious incident. At this time, the establishment’s slaughter operations are suspended. The establishment has been notified of this noncompliance verbally and with this written non-compliance record.
313.30(a)(3)
On Wednesday February 7th, 2024, at approximately 8:40am, during a 60-day humane handling verification visit, IIC REDACTED (nee REDACTED) and DVMS REDACTED observed the following noncompliance with HATS Category VIII: REDACTED, kill floor supervisor, attempted to stun a market hog with an electrical stun wand. REDACTED placed the electrical stun wand on the head behind the ears. The application of the electrical stun dropped the animal, however at this time the animal vocalized showing signs of consciousness. At this time, REDACTED stated the electrical stun wand was not working and immediately grabbed a pre-loaded handheld captive bolt from beside the stunning area. REDACTED took a stun attempt using the handheld captive bolt, which was effective and rendered the animal unconscious. IIC REDACTED verified that the electrical setting for the stun wand was set to an acceptable range for the size hog. No tags were placed. Kill floor supervisor, REDACTED, and Operations manager, REDACTED, were both verbally notified of this noncompliance verbally. This noncompliance record serves as written notification.
313.15(a)(1)
On Wednesday, January 10th, 2024, at approximately 9:15am, while observing HATS Category VIII, stunning effectiveness, of the Livestock Humane Handling task, IIC REDACTED (nee REDACTED) observed the following noncompliance: Establishment employee, REDACTED, moved a steer into the knock box and took a stun attempt with a handheld captive-bolt. The result was ineffective; the animal remained standing and appeared unfazed, no vocalization or frantic movement. Mr. REDACTED immediately took a second stun attempt using the back-up handheld captive-bolt, which was also ineffective; the animal remained standing but did not vocalize. Immediately following the second failed attempt, REDACTED, kill floor supervisor, reloaded, and took the third and final stunning attempt with the handheld captive bolt rendering the animal unconscious and insensible to pain. During postmortem inspection, IIC REDACTED requested that the head be skinned out to determine shot placement. After IIC REDACTED observed the skull, it was confirmed that there were three entry holes. The first hole was located to the right and above the eye socket. The second hole was closer to the acceptable area but to the left. The third hole was in the correct placement just slightly to the right. At approximately 9:20am, IIC REDACTED tagged the knock box with US Reject Tag No. 39315388 and contacted SPHV REDACTED. SPHV REDACTED consulted with DVMS REDACTED to determine course of action, and it was determined that this incident only results in a noncompliance. At approximately 9:50am, IIC REDACTED removed US Reject Tag No. 39315388 and slaughter operations resumed. The establishment is currently under an NOIE held in abeyance. The establishment does implement and maintains a written robust systematic approach to humane handling. Kill floor supervisor, REDACTED, operations manager, REDACTED, logistics coordinator, REDACTED, and general manager, REDACTED, were all verbally notified of this noncompliance. This noncompliance record serves as written notification.
313.30(a)(4)
At approximately 1:13pm on Tuesday, November 21st, 2023, I, REDACTED IIC, notified in-plant SPHV Dr. REDACTED of an egregious humane handling incident that occurred at Honest Meats. SPHV REDACTED immediately verbally notified REDACTED, Slaughter Supervisor, of the decision to take a regulatory control action to prevent the slaughter of animals. SPHV REDACTED informed Mr. REDACTED that she would be contacting Raleigh DVMS Dr. REDACTED to discuss a possible enforcement action. She informed Mr. REDACTED that based on the implementation of a written systematic approach to humane handling that is considered robust at this time, the District may issue a NOIE for the incident. I, IIC REDACTED, based the decision to take regulatory control action on the following: At approximately 1:10pm, while performing a routine livestock humane handling task and verifying HATS category IX, conscious animals on the rail, a noncompliance was observed. Kill floor employee, REDACTED stunned a large market swine with the electrical stunning device using the head, heart method. The hog appeared properly stunned with no signs of consciousness noted. Mr. REDACTED proceeded to stick the animal. A few seconds later the animal rose and began walking away from the knocking area. Mr. REDACTED immediately applied a second effective stun with the electrical stunning device again using the head/heart method. He also retrieved and loaded the handheld captive bolt and applied a security knock. The animal remained unconscious through the reminder of the bleeding process, shackling, and hoisting. At approximately 1:14pm I, IIC REDACTED, applied Reject tag NO. 39315386 to the knock box. SPHV REDACTED then contacted Raleigh DVMS REDACTED to discuss the incident and possible enforcement action. At 1:26pm, SPHV REDACTED met with REDACTED, Establishment Manager and REDACTED, Slaughter Supervisor, to inform Ms. REDACTED of the egregious incident. Ms. REDACTED indicated at this time that Mr. REDACTED would stun the remainder of the large hogs today. At this time, SPHV REDACTED also informed Ms. REDACTED and Mr. REDACTED of the District’s decision to issue a NOIE. The Reject tag was removed at approximately 1:34pm and slaughter resumed.
313.15(a)(1)
At approximately 2:20pm on Thursday, November 16th, 2023, while conducting a routine humane handling observation and task, and verifying HATS category VIII, stunning effectiveness, I, SPHV REDACTED, along with IIC REDACTED and CSI-in-training REDACTED, observed the following noncompliance: A very large gilt with a live weight of 802 pounds was moved humanely into the knock box. After assessing the size of the animal, Slaughter Supervisor REDACTED elected to stun the animal using a handheld captive bolt rather than the electrical stunning device, which is their routine method for swine. Mr. REDACTED delivered the stun and the gilt remained standing with brief vocalization. Mr. REDACTED retrieved a second, pre-loaded handheld captive bolt and immediately delivered a second attempt. The animal again remained standing with only brief vocalization. Mr. REDACTED quickly reloaded the hand-held captive bolt and kill floor employee REDACTED immediately delivered a third attempt that was successful in producing unconsciousness. The animal remained unconscious through bleeding, shackling, and hoisting. At approximately 2:25pm Reject tag NO. 39315384 was applied to the knock box. SPHV REDACTED contacted DVMS Dr. REDACTED for consultation on the incident. After discussion of the events DVMS REDACTED determined that the incident was nonegregious, and recommended issuing a noncompliance record. The retain tag was removed from the knock box at approximately 2:35pm. After skinning, the skull was examined for stun placement. The first two attempts were approximately one inch above the correct location, and horizontally adjacent. The third attempt was in the correct location. The skull was also split to reveal that the first to attempts did not penetrate the skull and the third one did. The establishment does have written Systematic Approach to humane handling that is considered robust at this time. Slaughter Supervisor REDACTED and Plant Manager REDACTED were notified of the noncompliance verbally and in writing with the issuance of this noncompliance record.
