USDA officials have closed down the Halal International Meat Processing plant in York, South Carolina, and requested that some 3,000 pounds of meat be recalled -  it happened to be labeled incorrectly.  (But…how would one know?)

Officials said some products labeled as poultry were actually different types of meat. (credence to the old “it tastes like chicken” comment…)   The plant was also cited for operating during hours that prevented some inspections.

The recall is for all frozen meat and poultry items produced from April 3, 2008 to March 7.    Doesn’t the fact that it has taken almost a year to discover that one type of flesh was actually another type of flesh appear to be troublesome?

It certainly begs the “Soylent Green” question - can you really tell what type of animal your meat came from?  Surely some are easier than others, but I’m fairly certain human flesh could look exactly like cow flesh.   Shouldn’t that give us pause?

Meanwhile, the amazing metal band Cattle Decapitation has released a new video addressing this exact topic in their song “Regret and the Grave”- check it out:

Source: Business Week - USDA recalls 3,000 pounds of meat from SC Plant March 31, 2009

Omnivores be on the lookout for a trio of meat recalls -

First -  Officials in Boulder, CO are warning people against eating elk meat that could have chronic wasting disease.

“Thousands of captive elk were slaughtered in Colorado to prevent spread of the disease.  In 2002, the disease was also found in the wild and deer and elk farms in Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Wisconsin, and Canada.”

Second -  Officials in St. Louis are warning people meat from Piekutowski European Style Sausage, a St. Louis company.  Approximately 750 pounds of sausage products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes are being recalled.

“Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially fatal disease.”

Third -  Canadian officials are warning the public against eating Old Style brand meat products, as they might contain Listeria monocytogenes.  As with the St.Louis sausage, consuming said bacteria could cause listeriosis.

The rail cars of animal fat?  Well those come courtesy of my city of Chicago.  Over 160 firefighters were needed on Christmas day to put out a fire at a south side meat-packing plant.  “Firefighters arrived on the scene and heard loud noises coming from the plant, and saw rail cars full of animal fat near the burning plant.” “there were rail cars full of animal fat, which would be broken down with ammonia for reprocessing, near the plant. Firefighters were able to contain the fire to the plant, and did not spread to the animal fat in the rail cars.”

If the fire would have reached the cars full of fat, the city would have once more had that nostalgic scent that used to waft up from the Stockyards.  On a high school trip about ten years ago, we visited the famous “bubbly creek” adjacent to the Stockyards.  Even with all this time, it still continues to bubble and stink from all of the animal parts discarded into it.

Sources - Examiner - Elk meat recalled in Colorado; wasting disease found December 24, 2008

My Fox Orlando - Sausage recall December 25, 2008 

The Canadian Press - Mariposa Meats Old Style meat may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes December 19, 2008

Chicago Sun Times - Firefighters extinguish extra-alarm fire at meat-packing plant December 25, 2008

It’s true.  The marketing geniuses at Burger King now give you the ability to not only eat flame-broiled cow flesh but to smell like it too, courtesy of their new scent, “Flame.”

A new website, www.firemeetsdesire.com, describes the product - “The Whopper sandwich is America’s favorite favorite burger. FLAME by BK captures the essence of that love and gives it to you. Behold the scent of seduction, with a hint of flame-broiled meat.”

The Telegraph kindly points out that it is “Not recommended for vegetarians.”  Thanks for that one guys.  Perhaps the estate of Upton Sinclair could follow on the heels of BK and release a scent called “The Jungle.”  Then everyone could smell just like Jurgis Rudkus, who was unable to get the stench of the blood and the slaughterhouse out of his skin.  It’s a logical progression.

Sources - Associated Content -  “Burger King Launches Meat-Scented Cologne Called ‘Flame’” December 17

Telegraph - “Burger King releases meat-scented cologne” December 17

Meanwhile, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has recalled Old Style brand Pastrami over fears of listeria contamination.  “Officials warn you not to eat the product, even though it may not look or smell spoiled.”

Source - CKTB - “Meat Recall ” December 14, 2008