Halal Transaction of USA llc: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2025 (USDA)

313.1

Today April 11, 2025 at approximately 6:30am while doing a routine ante-mortem inspection HATS category IV, handling during ante-mortem, I, CSI REDACTED found that the sheet metal on the door leading into the knock box was bent and there was a cluster of hair caught in the tear. The stainless-steel sheet metal that lines the walls of the knock box had peeled away from the door frame at approximately 2 to 3 feet from the floor and was bent outward into the knock box approximately 6 inches. The lip of the piece of steel that was bent outward was jagged and sharp and contained a tuft of hair. U.S. Reject tag #B38181021 was applied to the knock box. I informed Slaughter Floor manager REDACTED about the non-compliance. He immediately started bending the metal back into place. The establishment failed to comply with the regulatory requirements prescribed in 9 CFR 313.1(a). I removed the tag when the area was back in compliance.

313.2

This morning at 0605, while conducting HATS Category 1 (adequate measures for inclement weather) and Category 3 (water and feed availability) of Humane Handling Task for livestock to be slaughtered, I noticed the following Non-Compliance. 2 out of the 4 middle holding pens' water troughs were frozen. Livestock in those pens had no access to water but did have access to feed. The 2 trough deicers were not functioning. There were 9 sheep total in both pens. The Establishment failed to provide adequate measures for inclement weather and access to water for the live animals in holding pens as required by 9CFR313.2(e). Plant management was alerted to this Non-Compliance. Upon being notified, Plant Manager REDACTED had an employee move the 9 sheep to another middle holding pen where all livestock had access to water and feed.

313.2

This morning at 0605, while conducting HATS Category 1 (adequate measures for inclement weather) and Category 3 (water and feed availability) of Humane Handling Task for livestock to be slaughtered, I noticed the following Non-Compliance. 2 out of the 4 middle holding pens' water troughs were frozen. Livestock in those pens had no access to water but did have access to feed. The 2 trough deicers were not functioning. There were 9 sheep total in both pens. The Establishment failed to provide adequate measures for inclement weather and access to water for the live animals in holding pens as required by 9CFR313.2(e). Plant management was alerted to this Non-Compliance. Upon being notified, Plant Manager REDACTED had an employee move the 9 sheep to another middle holding pen where all livestock had access to water and feed.

313.1,313.2

HATS Category IV-AM Inspection Starting at 0645 on 10/28/24, while performing a Humane Handling Inspection with Dr REDACTED (USDA) and Dr REDACTED (IDA) the following non-compliances were observed: Under 9 CFR 313.1(a): Outside -Metal siding on the north wall of livestock holding pen was curled out with sharp edges exposed. Inside eastern most holding pen - Found several exposed carpentry nails protruding from the walls and feed crib as well as a hole in one of the holding pen walls. Inside slaughter floor - Inside bottom of sliding door to knock box had sharp jagged metal edges exposed. No signs of injuries to livestock were observed Under 9 CFR 313.2(e) *In the holding pen nearest the slaughter floor entrance there were two goats that managed to enter the southern runway and get trapped in there with no access to water As these non-compliances were observed, Plant Manager REDACTED was advised of the findings and the establishment’s failure to comply with the regulatory requirements prescribed in 9 CFR 313.1(a) and 313.2(e). Mr. REDACTED and establishment employees immediately began repairs to restore compliance and provided water to the two goats.