The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced on Sunday, February 17, that the Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Company was voluntarily recalling more than 140 million pounds of raw and frozen beef products distributed over the past two years because officials believe the cattle did not receive complete and proper inspection. MSDE's first concern is for the health and safety of students in Maryland public schools. Here is some information about this particular recall:

• Federal officials designated this recall as Class II "due to the remote probability that the beef being recalled would cause adverse health effects if consumed."
  
• There are no reports, either nationally or in Maryland, of individuals getting sick from the beef involved in this recall.
  
• A portion of the Westland meat has been distributed to schools nationwide through the federal school lunch program.
  
• Once alerted by federal officials, MSDE immediately notified local school systems of the recall. USDA also notified systems directly.
  
• All beef included in the recall had already been put on administrative hold on January 31, when word of potential problems at the Westland facility first emerged.
  
• All beef distributed through USDA school lunch program in Maryland and included in this recall was pre-cooked.
  
• Systems that had received the recalled beef were:

o   Anne Arundel
o   Allegany
o   Baltimore City
o   Baltimore County
o   Montgomery County
o   Prince George's County
o   St. Mary's
o   Wicomico
o   Worcester