A report from the San Francisco Chronicle indicates that Rancho Feeding Corp., which shut down after an 8.7 million pound meat recall, is under criminal investigation for killing and selling meat from dairy cows with cancer. Sources, speaking under the condition of anonymity, told the Chronicle that the company was buying cows with eye cancer chopping off their heads so inspectors couldn’t detect the disease, and selling the meat.

USDA officials said they could not discuss the case as long as Rancho is under criminal investigation. But at least one source said Rancho bought animals with a specific type of cancer found in the optical area of a cow. By eliminating the animal's head, the rest of the carcass appeared healthy.

The full report, including details of how the recall is also affecting smaller ranchers who used Rancho Feeding to process their cattle, is available at: http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Did-Petaluma-slaughterhouse-sell-meat-from-5267836.php

Source: San Francisco Chronicle