Beef could be making a comeback

Beef could be back on the menus of L.A. Unified schools as soon as the end of next week.

But that hardly resolved the concerns at the district’s safety committee meeting Thursday. Like many school systems, L.A. Unified is dealing with the biggest-ever recall of beef. It was triggered when undercover animal activists filmed cows being dragged to slaughter at Chino-based Hallmark/Westland Meat Co.

School board member Julie Korenstein wanted to know how safe the meat was from the other nine plants that supply many of the nation’s schools.

Dennis Barrett, director of food services, said that he knew of no problems at the other plants, which are federally inspected.

“They didn’t do a very good job at this particular plant,” Korenstein said.

“I hope that they are,” Barrett said. “We have to have faith in the system.”

“I don’t,” Korenstein said.

Board member Marguerite Pointdexter LaMotte noted that inspectors had missed the problems at Hallmark/Westland: “What is the other check and balance? I heard none.”

Barrett responded that he worries more about lettuce than meat, because at least meat is cooked, which takes care of a lot, although not the pathogens thought to be responsible for mad cow disease.

Given the beef scare and worries about mercury in fish, Korenstein said, “my granddaughter is now a vegetarian.”

“Just make sure she washes all her vegetables,” Barrett advised.

--Howard Blume