From foodconsumer.org
Kansas firm recalls cattle heads with prohibited material
By Sue Mueller
Apr 6, 2008 - 8:04:47 AM
SUNDAY April 6, 2008 (Foodconsumer.org) -- Elkhorn Valley Packing LLC based out of Harper, Kansas is voluntarily recalling 406,000 pounds of frozen beef cattle heads with tonsils not completely removed, the US Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced on April 4.
Tonsils are regarded as a specific risk material and must be removed from cattle of all ages in accordance with FSIS regulations. SRMs are known to contain the infective agent in beef cattle infected with mad cow disease or BSE. Consumption of the infectious tissue may cause mad cow disease in humans.
The recalled beef products include various weight bulk boxes of "BEEF WHOLE HEADS, KEEP REFRIGERATED." The shipping package bears the establishment numbers "EST. 19549A" inside the USDA mark of inspection, as well as a package code of "91700" or "93700".
All beef cattle products packed before March 28, 2008 with the package code "91700" or "93700" were subject to the recall. These products were sent to distributors and wholesalers nationwide.
A state-inspected processing establishment received some of the recalled products and found that tonsils were not completely removed. No illness was reported associated with use of the beef cattle products or products derived from the recalled products.