Cargill Meat Solutions recalls beef tongues*

Sunday Oct 18, 2009 (foodconsumer.org) -- Cargill Meat Solutions Corporation, based out of Milwaukee, Wisc., is recalling approximately 5,522 pounds of beef tongues because of the possibility that the tonsils may not be completely removed, USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

Removal of tonsils of cattle of all ages is required by the U.S. regulations because tonsils are considered a specified risk material (SRM). SRMs are tissues that are known to contain the infective agent in cattle with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) or simple mad cow disease. Eating SRMs may increase risk of acquiring mad cow disease in humans.

The recalled product subjected to the recall is specified as follows:

* "Various weight cases of "BEEF TONGUE #1 White." Each case bears the establishment number "EST. 17690" on the product label.

The recalled beef tongues were produced between Oct. 12 and Oct. 14, 2009 and were shipped to Distribution centers in Illinois for further sale, FSIS says on its website.

FSIS found the problem during inspection activities at the facility.

Consumers should call the company's hotline at 1-877-435-4071 if they have any questions regarding the recall.

Cows slaughtered for sales are not tested for mad cow disease in the United States. In fact, the USDA prohibits testing of cows for mad cow disease by individual meat companies. A Kansas meat company wanted to test mad cow disease so that they can ensure its Japanese import company that its beef is free of mad cow, but the company got sued by the USDA.

In Japan, every cow was tested for mad cow disease and since 2003 Japan has found more than 30 mad cows, according to media reports.

By David Liu and editing by Sheilah Downey