An incident where workers of a California meat processor delivered unpackaged slabs of pork meat in shopping carts has attracted the scrutiny of the USDA. The pictures of meat company workers hauling pork meat into San Jose's 99 Ranch Market using shopping carts were posted online late last week. The San Francisco Chronicle reported that USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service said it was working with local authorities to further investigate the incident.
"The Agency is working with local authorities and will determine further actions as information becomes available," the statement said.
The workers were employed at Jim’s Farm Meat Co., although the company said that the employees involved in the incident had been fired, reports the Modesto Bee.
“We are thoroughly investigating the incident,” said office manager Maria Moon. “This isn’t anything we typically do. When we send our products out, they are always in a combo bin and wrapped. That’s how it left our facility.”
The Santa Clara Department of Environmental Health is investigating the matter as well.
Sources: Modesto Bee, San Francisco Chronicle