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California Department of Education News Release
Release: #08-12
January 31, 2008
Contact: Tina Jung
E-mail: communications@cde.ca.gov
Phone: 916-319-0818

State Schools Chief Jack O'Connell Issues
Statement About Westland Meat Company

SACRAMENTO – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today released a statement in connection with the United States Department of Agriculture placing an administrative hold on all Westland Meat Company products amid allegations of animal abuse. The products affected by the hold may have been provided to school lunch programs across the country.

"I am very saddened to hear about the allegations of animal abuse at Westland," said O'Connell. "I want to assure every parent whose child is on the school lunch program that the California Department of Education will not tolerate anything that threatens the safety of food given to their children. 

"I have sent out an Information Alert to our food distribution agencies not to use beef products from Westland until further notice. Also, the agencies should not use any processed end-products containing beef pending further instructions."

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Jack O'Connell — State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Communications Division, Room 5206, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100

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