Congressman John D. Dingell

March 3, 2008

Washington, DC - Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI15) made the following remarks on the news that 200 pounds of beef made from unfit cattle were sent to Ann Arbor Public Schools. In all, 33 Michigan school districts ordered beef from the Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Company, which sold at least 37 million pounds of meat to the national school lunch program and other nutrition programs run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Last month, the company recalled of 143 million pounds – the largest meat recall in U.S. history.

“Parents and citizens in Ann Arbor and the other Michigan communities affected by the horrendous actions of the Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Company have a right to be furious” Dingell said. “How many more food recalls do we have to have before we see the scope of this breakdown? Corporations have failed us and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) has failed us by not providing the oversight and inspections that American people should rightfully expect. Maintaining public confidence in the safety and quality of our food should be one of the basic duties of the federal government. Obviously, business leaders and the USDA are not up to the task, so I am working to pass legislation that will protect our citizens. As a father and grandfather, I too worry about the potential of our children eating dangerous food.  In the coming weeks, I intend to do everything in my power to ensure this does not happen again.”

As Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, Congressman Dingell will continue to investigate food safety concerns and hold more hearings on the matter. Congressman Dingell is working now on legislation to provide the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with the resources and authority it needs to fulfill its duties. He has also been working to keep seven FDA inspection labs, including one in Detroit, from closing.

Below is a list of Michigan schools that received beef made from unfit cattle include:

Ann Arbor School District (200 lbs.)
Grand Rapids School District (10 tons)
Birmingham Public Schools
Boyne City Public Schools (80 lbs.)
Brandon Public Schools in Northville
Carrollton Public School District (40 lbs.)
Centerline Public Schools
Charlevoix Public Schools (300 – 400 lbs.)
Cheboygan Area School Districts
Detroit Public Schools (150 cases)
East Detroit Public Schools
East Jordan School District (100 – 150 lbs.)
Escanaba School District (120 lbs beef, 10 cases patties)
Farmington Public Schools
Ferndale Public Schools
Huron Valley Public Schools
Lansing School District
Littlefield Public Schools (ordered but never received)
Marquette Area School District (small quantity)
Mt. Clemens Community Schools
Negaunee School District (6 cases)
Novi Community School District
Pellston School District (100 lbs.)
Petoskey School District (117 lbs.)
Plymouth/Canton Community Schools
Portage Public Schools
Rochester Community Schools
Roseville Public Schools
Saginaw Township Community School District (1/2 ton)
St. Johns School District
Traverse City Area School District (1,500 – 2,000 lbs.)
Warren Consolidated District
West Ottawa Public Schools