Rancho Feeding Recall Leads To Marin Sun Farms Purchase
By Laurel Maloy, contributing writer, Food Online
A massive beef recall has sparked a major investigation. Despite the growing list of issues, Marin Sun Farms has placed a bid to purchase Rancho Feeding
In a list that has now expanded to include retailers in over 2,000 stores in 32 states and the U.S. island territory of Guam, it is more efficient to list states not involved in this recall: AR, ME, MA, MN, NH, NY, NC, OK, PA, VT, VA, WV, and WI.
From the first news of a beef recall at a small, northern California processing plant, this debacle has grown to gargantuan proportions. Citing a lack of annual inspection by the USDA, the FDA implemented this recall on Feb 8, affecting almost 9 million pounds of beef — the entire yield for 2013 — processed at Rancho Feeding. This recall is being continually updated in an effort to alert all affected, even though the vast majority of this beef has most likely been consumed. As of this writing, there are no reports of illness due to consumption of the beef allegedly released from Rancho Feeding without benefit of full inspection.
Affecting a number of small independent ranchers, as well as major corporations, the ongoing news has been virtually nonstop. The possibility of a criminal investigation was addressed by a food safety attorney and blogger Bill Marler. He comments, “USDA’s Office of Inspector General is investigating because it is a potential criminal investigation, Rancho’s owners and employees are wise to limit what they say without the benefit of a lawyer. FSIS is also holding things close to the vest, because it risks interfering with OIG’s investigation. The lack of information is frustrating, but to do otherwise risks due process.”
The USDA has provided a list of affected retailers, current as of Feb 22. The USDA makes it clear, beginning on page two, that this list may not be complete and is depending upon manufacturers, processors, and vendors to exercise due diligence by reporting receipt or distribution of any of the beef products on the recall list updated on February 18.
The good news is that David Evans, founder and CEO of Marin Sun Farms “felt compelled” to take over operations at Rancho Feeding. Fearing it would close and leave the local meat producers without a way to get their beef to market, Marin Sun Farms submitted an application to the USDA as reported by the SFGate on February 21. To explain his motive in making this purchase, David Evans says, "There are a number of us who produce high-quality meats for the Bay Area marketplace who have used that facility," Evans says. "All of these niche meat businesses are in existence because we have that slaughterhouse. There's great pressure to have that facility in place." If the scope of this recall is any indicator, these niche producers will be eternally thankful for the save! The purchase is currently in escrow, expecting to close within the next 30 days.