US Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Sunday ordered the recall of 143 million pounds of frozen beef, the largest recall in US history so far.

USDA officials said the recalled beef posed no immediate threat to humans as no illnesses have been linked to the meat.

Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer said his department has evidence that the slaughterhouse, Westland/Hallmark Meat Co., did not routinely contact its veterinarian when cattle became non-ambulatory after passing inspection, violating health regulations.

"Because the cattle did not receive complete and proper inspection, Food Safety and Inspection Service has determined them to be unfit for human food and the company is conducting a recall, " Schafer said in a statement.

(Xinhua News Agency February 18, 2008)