Independent Meat Company: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2025 (USDA)

313.1

HATS Category IV: Ante-mortem Inspection On Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at approximately 0626 hours, while performing ante mortem inspection of market swine in pen # 8, I, the CSI, observed that the boards in the bottom half of the northeast corner of the fence in pen # 8 had been pulled off the fence. This exposed an open gap inside the fence between pen # 8 and pen # 10 large enough for hogs to get their legs caught. There were also two (2) rusted “16” penny nails sticking into this gap through the 2” by 8” boards on pen # 10 side of the fence. The CSI asked the establishment yardman to move the hogs from Pen # 8 into another pen. The establishment yardman moved the hogs into the alleyway and then to the pre-slaughter showers. The CSI then completed the ante mortem inspection at approximately 0635 hours. No hogs were observed to be injured. The above findings are noncompliant with 9 CFR 313.1. The establishment failed to maintain the livestock holding pens in good repair and prevent unnecessary openings where the head, feet, and legs of the hogs may be injured. The CSI applied US Reject tag # B35780392 to the gate handle of pen # 8 and verbally notified establishment management of the regulatory control action and forthcoming noncompliance report. At approximately 0919 hours, the Vice President of Food Safety and Product Quality reported that repairs to the fence in pen # 8 were currently underway. At approximately 1241 hours, on May 28, 2025, the establishment yardman notified the CSI that maintenance had repaired the fence. The establishment yardman presented holding pen # 8 to FSIS IPP for inspection at approximately 1254 hours. After reinspecting the fence, the pen was found to be compliant and was released at approximately 1255 hours. The Denver District Veterinary Medical Officers and Specialist were informed of the incident. This noncompliance record (NR) is associated with NR # DOD391105232N/1 issued on 05/20/2025 for the same root cause. This establishment maintains a Robust Systematic Approach to the Humane Handling of Livestock.

313.1

HATS Category IV: Ante-mortem Inspection On Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at approximately 0647 hours, while performing an ante mortem inspection of market swine, the CSI and establishment yardman observed a hog walking in the drain gutter, between the scale and outside of the north fence of pen # 3. The establishment yardman and CSI then observed that the hog had entered that enclosed narrow drain area through an opening in the bottom half of the fence in the northeast corner of pen # 1. The boards in the bottom half of the northeast corner of the fence in pen # 1 had been pulled off the fence. There wasn’t enough room for the hog to turn around in the narrow drain gutter area without lifting its front legs up onto the cement floor above the drain, so the establishment yardman climbed the fence and moved the hog to the east end of the drain gutter area and assisted the hog in turning around, then ushered the hog back into pen # 1. The CSI then asked the establishment yardman to move the hogs from Pen # 1 into another pen. While moving the hogs into the alleyway, a second hog ran around the establishment yardman into the drain gutter area. The establishment yardman moved the remaining hogs from pen # 1 into the alleyway, then ushered the second hog from the drain gutter area, through pen # 1 and into the alleyway with the other hogs, before moving them to pen # 9. After the hogs were moved to pen # 9, the CSI resumed and completed the ante mortem inspection at approximately 0704 hours. The establishment failed to maintain the livestock holding pens in good repair and prevent unnecessary openings where the head, feet, and legs of the hogs may be injured. The CSI rejected pen # 1 with US Rejected/Retained tag # B35780391 and verbally notified the kill floor supervisor, the kill floor lead assistant, and establishment yardman at approximately 0713 hours in the alleyway of the firm’s livestock pens. The CSI verbally notified the plant operations manager of the missing boards in the fence in pen # 1 via the plant’s internal phone system at approximately 0722 hours on May 20, 2025. The plant operations manager reported that he will notify maintenance and have the fence repaired. At approximately 1515 hours, on May 20, 2025, the kill floor supervisor notified the CSI that maintenance had repaired the hole in the fence and presented holding pen # 1 to FSIS IPP for inspection after slaughter had concluded. The CSI reinspected the fence, lifted the regulatory control action and released the pen for holding incoming livestock at approximately 1530 hours. NR # DOD2712033811N/1 dated 03/11/2025 addressed repair and maintenance of livestock pens, driveways and ramps will be associated.

313.1

HATS Category IV- Antemortem Inspection At approximately 0615 hours, IPP was on his way out to the yards to perform antemortem inspection of approximately 650 market hogs. IPP viewed the condition of the alleyway leading up to the stunning area. IPP observed a hole in the concrete flooring that measured approximately 2x3 inches diameter. The location was behind the exit gate of the shower area. The underside of the hole appeared to be washed out beneath the concrete. IPP notified the yardman and asked for immediate corrective actions prior to any hogs moving into the area. The yardman packed the hole with ground asphalt. IPP verbally notified the kill floor supervisor of the alleyway condition. IPP also observed that the concrete next to the wall at the same location was deteriorating. Several other areas in the ally way were not being maintained in good repair, as the concrete was leaving an uneven edge that possess a tripping hazard. The Denver District Veterinary Medical Specialist was notified. There has been no similar noncompliance cited within the past 90 days. Therefore, this NR will not be associated as repetitive. This establishment operates under a robust systematic approach to the humane handling of livestock.