Iowa Department of Education

 The "HOLD" on the Westland Company ground beef has now become a "RECALL" meaning that schools are to destroy the product at their facilities. This product must be destroyed, and cannot be used or reconditioned for human consumption. Instructions on this procedure and a claim for reimbursement form have been sent to all schools. The directives show us the procedure for less that 50 cases and more than 50 cases. Please read the Instruction sheet you have received by mail. Turn this form into the state office when you have completed the procedure. Our FAX is 515-281-6548 or use email or regular mail. All ground beef that schools ordered for the 8E (Feb./March) deliveries had to be deleted on your order.

All this ground beef was from the Westland Meat Company and is being held in the Des Moines Cold and the Mason City Cold warehouses where it will soon be taken to the local landfills to be destroyed. Ground Beef may be offered for 8F (April) deliveries if USDA can find different ground beef manufacturers who can fill the nation's orders. In the mean- time you will have to purchase ground beef from other sources.

Following is a link to the USDA Website's Q & As regarding the Westland Meat recall. http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usdahome