Combating Foreign Objects
Continued from page 22
included in the survey. Of the processing facilities included in the survey, the vast majority indicated a regional cattle supply and are likely sourcing cattle from states not highlighted.
Metal shot, which includes both bird shot and buckshot, is a result of abject animal husbandry decisions. Likewise, dart usage, otherwise classified as remote drug delivery( RDD) technology, also increased in prevalence within the beef industry. Although this tool is suggested for extenuating circumstances, misuse can lead to broken needs found when animals are processed, resulting in other foreign objects found within the beef supply chain. 8
Packers and processors report they most often found foreign objects in chuck and round( Figure 3), but foreign objects are found all throughout the carcass.
One of the challenges associated with identifying foreign objects in a carcass is the depth the objects penetrate. These objects can be found in a variety of locations( Figure 4, page 26) including directly beneath the hide, into the fat and muscle layers, or even as deep as the bone or internal organs.
Furthermore, there is no way to know for certain if an animal has foreign object contamination or if there is contamination of the quantity of objects within a given carcass.
These foreign objects not only compromise animal wellbeing and food safety but also cause substantial product and economic losses. To illustrate the breadth of the problem, ground beef is commonly made in 6,000-lb batches. If more than one BB is identified when grinding, all product in that batch would be considered contaminated. On average, today’ s carcasses weigh 940 lbs, with around 25 % or 235 lbs of the carcasses going to beef trimmings. To fill a 2,000-lb combo bin, source material is typically combined from nine or more animals, meaning a single carcass could jeopardize product from non-contaminated animals and risk products never making it to the consumer to meet existing demand. 6
Despite having detection methods like X-ray and metal detection in the facilities, foreign object contamination continues to be a challenge especially from metal shot. Processors who source both domestic and international trimmings indicate challenges like metal shot are seen in far greater frequency in the domestic supply compared to internationally sourced products. 7 In a time where cattle supply is tight, every pound of beef and trim is increasingly important, having to remove product from the supply chain due to poor animal management practices has an even greater impact. Insights from the United States Meat Export Federation indicate trading partners are reporting an increasing amount of foreign material findings in U. S. beef. International customers are sensitive to finding foreign materials in foods. Korea, for example, is extremely sensitive to foreign material issues, as the term buckshot translates into“ lead bullet” in Korean regardless of its content, and consumers associate these findings with“ lead poisoning.” The media covers food safety and consumer risks closely, and the population reacts accordingly, which can result in a loss of trust in U. S. beef. Our beef is highly visible in Korea and other international markets, and the industry has invested heavily in marketing both the quality and safety of our products. It takes years to regain the trust of consumers after experiencing or hearing about foreign material incidences— domestically and overseas. Preventing foreign material from entering commerce is key to maintaining market share throughout the world. The export market is incredibly valuable for U. S. beef, with exports averaging $ 415-per-fed-head in 2024. 9 Current research
coordinated by the National Cattlemen’ s Beef Association( NCBA), a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, is exploring detection approaches in live animals during the pre-harvest phase, alongside efforts to quantify the economic impact and yield loss associated with foreign object contamination. These advancements highlight the evolving role of science and technology in improving food safety across beef production. Addressing the issue of foreign objects requires a multi-faceted approach from research to enhanced producer education to promotion of responsible management practices, reinforcing a shared responsibility for food safety across the beef industry.
Figure 3: Processing facilities report the greatest volume of foreign objects are found within chuck and round primals but also report these objects are found in all primals and subprimals.
Call to Action
Effective prevention of foreign object contamination must begin at the source: the farm or ranch. Producer commitment to implementing practical, site-specific management strategies that reduce the risk of introducing hazardous materials into the beef supply chain is essential. Reliance on firearms to move or manage cattle not only poses a risk for
24 NATIONAL CATTLEMEN DIRECTIONS 2025