Important Message Regarding Beef in School Meals

UPDATED February 6, 2008

Staff in Food Services has been working hard to ensure students receive healthy and safe meals in light of the recent issue regarding beef provided by Westland Meat Company. During the week of February 4, no beef has been offered through our meal program. Beginning Monday, February 11, Food Services will reintroduce beef to the menu, but the beef will be provided by a different USDA-approved vendor. Many school districts around the state are taking similar steps.

February 1, 2008

You may have heard in media reports that beef products supplied statewide to school districts by Westland Meat Company are potentially tainted. While the Edmonds School District has not been mentioned as a recipient of this raw beef product, we have received processed beef from Westland, and, strictly as a precautionary measure, we have decided to remove all beef products from our menu until the U.S. Department of Agriculture has been able to fully investigate. It is also important to note that we are not aware of any immediate health risk.

Beef products were not included in today’s elementary lunch menu, and the menu for the following week is being changed to remove all options with beef. Secondary schools will do the same. We have chosen to address this one week at a time, and we will revise the menu as we receive updates on the status of the beef from the USDA.

The safety and health of our students is always of the utmost importance, and we want everyone to feel assured that we are taking all steps necessary to ensure their children receive healthy, nutritious, and safe meal options.

If you have further questions, please contact Jennifer Aaby in Community Relations (425-431-7046), Barbara Lloyd in Food Services (425-431-7073), or Sara Conroy in Food Services (425-431-7076).