Complaints

• Initial Complaint

  04/17/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  In mid October 2022 I ******************* and ********************* *************) dropped off two healthy live beefs at ******************** to be slaughtered, cut, wrapped and froze. 3 to 4 weeks later they called and said our meat was ready to be picked up. I have never had processing take this long. The next day I went to pick it up. It was cut, wrapped and frozen. I immediately drove it home and put it all in the freezer. I didn't try any for about a month, but when I did I was shocked to find it spoiled. Over the next couple of months I opened 15 more packages of which 13 were spoiled and rancid. I live 1.5 hours away from *********, **. and only get there about 3 times a year. On April 11th I was in ********* and decided to stop in and tell them about it. I talked with an employee and they said they were very concerned and would have the owner/manager call me. It's been a week and still no response. What I know as a fact that two live beefs were dropped off at their facility. They were cut, wrapped and frozen and not defrosted until time to cook them. ********************* was the owner of the two beefs. He kept 1.5 for himself and I purchased the other half of beef from him. I paid ******************** directly for my part of the processing and half the ********* fee. ********************* just recently tried his meat and confirmed his is also spoiled. We have raised a lot of beef for ourselves in the past and have never had any spoiled from processing. Someone some how at this business either let the meat hang too long or didn't get it refrigerated or frozen in time after processing. Unfortunately we are out of the cost and raising two beefs, slaughtering and processing with nothing to show for it. Unfortunately I have 200lbs of beef that is not edible. For ********************* it is 600lbs of non edible meat.

  Business response

  05/10/2023

  On October 13, 2022, we had a customer drop off 2 beef (1 and 1/2 for himself and 1/2 for an acquaintance).  On November 11, 2022, I invoiced and called each of the customers to notify them of their animals being processed and ready to pick up.  Due to our scheduling and the time of year this took place, we let each of our customers know that a normal hang-time before cutting each carcass is between ***** days.  Therefore, 14 days after these beef were slaughtered was on Thursday October 27, there is a likely possibility that these beef were not cut and wrapped until Monday October 31.  This would equate to a 18 day hang time, which is a highly normal practice within the industry.  
  
  To preface our procedural practices, I will inform everyone that we are a USDA ********* and processing plant and have very strict daily procedures/oversight to ensure product quality and safety.  Within the procedures, our daily HACCP plan clearly states that we give each and every carcass killed a hot water bath and acidic acid spray before putting it into the on-sight/on-board cooler.  What this accomplishes is that any and all bacteria is immediately killed to ensure the safety of the carcass, as well as beginning the cool down process.  Upon processing of the carcass, we again apply additional acidic acid to further ensure product safety.  Again, within our procedures, we also do quarterly E-coli testing on random carcasses, both hanging carcasses and ground products, to ensure our procedures are effective.  All of these procedures are applied on USDA and custom exempt animals.
  
  Upon further investigation into this matter, there is no reason to believe that these procedures/oversight were not done properly and effectively.  Furthermore, it is impossible for me to identify any mishandling of this process due to the amount of time that has lapsed since our transactions took place.  There are many other factors that could have contributed to the quality of these animals that are simply out of my control. I sincerely apologize that our customers have had a poor experience, but I do not believe it is due to my, or my employees, mishandling of the product.

  Customer response

  05/10/2023

   
  Complaint: 19943118
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  Unfortunately I am stuck with 200lb unedible beef that came from your facility to my freezer. Meat cannot even be donated due to not fit for human consumption. Meat will be properly disposed of.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *******************

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