Sorry, that's not our department

Huge beef recall issued
Victoria Kim & Mitchell Landsberg, LA Times, 2/18/08

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the largest beef recall in its history Sunday, calling for the destruction of 143 million pounds of raw and frozen beef produced by a Chino slaughterhouse that has been accused of inhumane practices.

The action came nearly three weeks after the Humane Society of the United States released a video showing workers at the plant using forklifts and water hoses, among other methods, to rouse cattle too weak to walk. In addition to issues of animal cruelty, the video raised questions about whether so-called downer cattle were entering the food chain in violation of federal regulations.

The recall was initiated voluntarily by the company, because the federal government does not have the authority to take such action.

Um, who would have the authority?