WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Agriculture said on Friday it has notified BeefAmerica that it will not allow meat or meat food products to be marked "inspected and passed" from its plant in Norfolk, Nebraska.
The move is effective the close of business October 31.
"This decision is based on your inability to maintain and operate your facility in a sanitary manner," said Fernando Siores of USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service in a letter to the company obtained by Reuters.
USDA announced on Thursday that BeefAmerica had begun a recall of 168,725 pounds of ground beef processed on Oct. 21 at the Norfolk plant.
The USDA letter said failure to provide an effective plan containing corrective and preventative measures by Nov. 7 would result in additional regulatory or administrative action.
"The Food Safety and Inspection Service is willing to provide additional information and Agency personnel are available to work with you over the weekend and thereafter to assist you in bringing your operations into full compliance with our food safety regulations," the letter said.
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