Is it just me, or is the phrase "controversial slaughterhouse" the most terrifying combination of words in the English language? Can we get that on the books somehow? It's impressive, really.


The Central Valley Meat Company, based in Hanford, California, has recalled more than 58,000 pounds of ground beef because an inspection discovered that the beef "may contain small pieces of plastic." The evil beef's destination was the National School Lunch Program. Great. Awesome. Cool. (Don't forget: It's the parents' fault that American schoolkids are unhealthy! It's CERTAINLY NOT THE FOOD PRODUCTION SYSTEM!)


This isn't the first time Central Valley Meat Company has been in the news:

Animal advocacy group Compassion Over Killing released video footage last year purported to be filmed by an undercover investigator of sick dairy cows being shocked, prodded and sprayed with water while being led to slaughter at Central Valley Meat Company. Backlash from the footage led to In-N-Out Burger, McDonald's and Costco reportedly severing ties with the company at the time. The USDA also stopped buying meat from the company for about a month until it determined the company had corrected humane handling violations. Foodsafetynews.com reported the USDA purchased about 135 million pounds of beef products from Central Valley Meat Company in the 2010-11 fiscal year.

Blergh.