Burger Chains and Schools React to Video of Abused Cows

BusinessWeek reports burger chains such as Jack-in-the-Box and In-N-Out, as well as 150 school districts from all over the country, have banned meat from Westland Meat and its affiliate, Hallmark Meat Packing Co., based on a video that showed workers abusing sick and injured cows.

The video was released on Wednesday by The Humane Society of the United States. It showed slaughterhouse employees kicking, shocking and dragging cows that were too sick or injured to walk.

Jack-in-the-Box spokeswoman Kathleen Anthony said, "We definitely have very strict animal welfare guidelines that we expect our suppliers to follow."

Jack-in-the-Box told its meat suppliers not to use Hallmark until further notice.

School districts in at least 11 states have banned meat from Hallmark and Westland, consequently pulling hamburgers off the menu.

Both McDonalds and Burger King state that they have no connection to these suppliers.

According to BusinessWeek, USDA regulations already prohibit the use of disabled cows for human consumption, based on the possibilities that these cows may have a greater risk of disease.

Sources: BusinessWeek, The Seattle Times