Maci Carter, Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Intern, had the opportunity to talk with Jake Nelson, Food Safety Coordinator at Ralph’s Packing Co. after he presented at the 2023 Annual Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Convention and Trade Show. Nelson and Carter discussed issues with foreign materials in the packing industry as well as injection site lesions and how that impacts the food supply chain.
Nelson said he has been working at Ralph’s full-time since January of 2021. According to Nelson, the largest issue in the meat packing industry is foreign materials being found in the beef,
“The issue that seems to be creeping back up to us right now is the presence of lead shot, birdshot, buckshot, and things that come out of the shotgun out of a firearm,” Nelson said.
Nelson said that while this issue isn’t new, it is becoming a more prevalent topic of conversation in the packing industry.
“When I talk to colleagues across the industry, unfortunately, they’re starting to see an uptick in frequency as well,” Nelson said. “Whether it’s the beef production sector, whether it’s the hunting community, whether it’s kids out having fun, we don’t know, you know, things happen, and we see it, but we really need to stop because this is our food supply.”
Finding foreign materials in meat is a serious issue that calls for drastic action. While it’s near impossible to track where this uptick in foreign materials is coming from, Nelson urges everyone to do their part in stopping this issue.
“First and foremost, it immediately is recognized as an adulterated product,” Nelson said. “We have to go and segregate that, differentiate it from that which is suitable for food, make a determination, and file a report with the USDA. USDA then contacts the supplier, and there’s a traceability exercise that goes on. It’s a loss in revenue because the product can’t be sold.”
The foreign material issue has large implications for meat packers when the issue occurs in the plant, Nelson said, and a serious problem that causes hold-ups for Nelson and others.
“The next one would be injection site lesions,” Nelson said. “I understand that animal health is vitally important to the survival of the industry, and animal health and injections are a great, useful tool. The beef quality assurance program, though, needs to continue to be delivered to producers to understand the proper way to administer injections. The proper method, proper timing, proper location, that message we just had; we can’t relax on that message.”
Another issue causing hassle in the packing plants is injection site lesions. Nelson said understands the importance of animal health, however, he says proper execution is vital.
“Don’t shy away from sensitive subjects and then do the right thing,” Nelson said. “When a method or procedure has been identified as a best practice or method, then let’s latch on to that and make adjustments in our own operation”
The best thing producers and others can do to combat this issue, according to Nelson, is to keep talking about it and make sure to follow best practices. As Nelson said during his presentation, “just do the right thing.”
