Cattle await slaughter in the stockyard of Excel Corp. in Fort Morgan, Colo. In 1998, the plant was cited by USDA inspectors for violations including cutting and skinning live cows. (Steve Groer - For The Washington Post)
About This Series
Based on a seven-month investigation, this two-part series reveals major flaws in the U.S. government's meat safety net. A joint effort with Dateline NBC examines the spread of deadly E. coli bacteria.
The Post reveals how increased production speeds at many processing plants causes the botched slaughter of cows and pigs, condemning the animals to a slow and painful death.
• Video: The Washington Post's Joby Warrick and Dateline NBC's Lea Thompson discuss their series Modern Meat, which is based on a seven-month investigation and reveals major flaws in the U.S. government's meat-safety net. • Video: This footage was filmed with a concealed camera by a worker at IBP's Pasco, Wash., plant and made available by the Humane Farming Association, an advocacy group.
WARNING: This video is disturbing and not suitable for all viewers.
Live Online
• Modern Meat: The Post's Joby Warrick and Dateline NBC's Lea Thompson discussed the safety of the meat we eat on Monday, April 9 at 11 a.m. EDT. • Modern Meat: Temple Grandin, assistant professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University, discussed livestock handling and meat safety on Tuesday, April 10 at 1 p.m. EDT. • Modern Meat: Gail Eisnitz of the Humane Farming Association discussed her group's campaign to enforce humane slaughter laws on Tuesday, April 10 at 2 p.m. EDT.
Documents (PDF Files)
• Selected USDA Records Concerning Excel Corp.'s Fort Morgan, Colo., Meat Processing Plant • USDA Inspector General Report on HACCP • IBP Inc. Response to Allegations Concerning Its Pasco, Wash., Plant • IBP Inc. Policy on Proper Livestock Handling • Notice of Warning to Vernon Calhoun Packing Company • Excel Corp. Appeal of Noncompliance Record • Supreme Beef Appeal of Alleged Humane Slaughter Violations • Petition for Enforcement of Humane Slaughter and Animal Cruelty Laws • National Joint Council of Food Inspection Locals Memo in Support of Petition for Enforcement of Humane Slaughter and Animal Cruelty Laws • USDA Memo: Responsibilities Related to the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act
• Are meat inspection procedures flawed? What can be done to protect consumers? Join a discussion of the Post's Modern Meat series and meat safety issues.
McDonald's Will Tell Meat Suppliers to Cut Antibiotics Use In response to increasingly dire warnings that widespread use of antibiotics on U.S. farms is making the drugs less effective for treating people, the fast-food chain McDonald's is directing some meat suppliers to stop using antibiotic growth promoters altogether and encouraging others to cut back. Food Safety Report Ignites Angry Debate A report showing declines in food poisoning set off a debate Thursday over whether the Bush administration's approach to food safety is jeopardizing future gains. Modern Meat: A Brutal Harvest Dying 'Piece by Piece' Cattle and hogs must be made insensible to pain before slaughter. But some plants don't always stun properly, with cruel consequences.
• Special Report: Modern Meat • Video: Caution--Images Are Disturbing
In the News
Modern Meat
