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

313.16(a)(1)

HATS Category VIII: Stunning Effectiveness The Consumer Safety Inspector (CSI) was observing stunning effectiveness (2/3/2025) on the second beef presented for slaughter, at approximately 7:26 am, a black wagyu horned steer. The establishment owner utilized a .22 magnum bolt action rifle, because the horns would not allow the animal to be locked into the head catch and use the hand-held captive bolt device. The CSI was in a safe location. The first stun attempt with the rifle did not render the animal unconscious, and the steer remained standing with eyes tracking and rhythmic breathing. The establishment owner immediately reloaded the .22 caliber magnum rifle and applied a second stun attempt which rendered the animal unconscious. No regulatory control action was taken due to the observed immediate and effective corrective actions. The CSI verbally informed the plant owner that the CSI would be issuing a noncompliance record under 9 CFR313.16(a)(1) for failure to produce immediate unconsciousness. Upon inspection of the dressed head, two penetrating holes were observed. One penetrating hole was low and angled downward toward the sinus cavity and was approximately 2 inches too low of the target zone. A second penetrating hole was low within the target zone. The Denver District Management Team was notified through supervisory channels. There have been no noncompliance records issued within the past 90 days for the same root cause. This establishment has not implemented a robust systematic approach to the humane handling of livestock.