The Associated Press
FRESNO, Calif. - Records show a Central California slaughterhouse under federal investigation for cruelty and possible health issues sold 21 million pounds of beef to the federal government in 2011 for use in school and other nutritional programs.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture acted quickly to shut Central Valley Meat Co. of Hanford on Monday after an undercover video showed inhumane treatment of animals.
Federal officials say nothing they have seen so far on videos shows meat from cows that may have been sick or lame making it into the food supply, but interviews with employees are ongoing.
Records show the government made five large-scale purchases of ground and chunk beef from the company in 2011, spending a total of more than $50 million.
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