Day 069 - 19 Dec 94 - Page 23
1
2 Q. To be fair, we should not be preparing any food in this
3 courtroom. But can you compare for us the conditions, the
4 hygiene conditions, of a plant like this one, Tysons plant
5 at Nashville, Arkansas, with the conditions to be found in
6 an ordinary domestic kitchen where the housewife is house
7 proud?
8 A. They are several times better than any kitchen in the
9 house. They are better than many hospitals that I have
10 seen. If I might add, even if the inspector finds a
11 deficiency -- and he inspects the plant before operations
12 -- so even if he finds a deficiency, that deficiency is
13 taken care of before the start of the plant. The inspector
14 will not allow the production of any food if he feels the
15 deficiencies are not taken care of. He also has the
16 ability, he is empowered, and the authority, to stop the
17 line if he feels there are any deficiencies.
18
19 In this particular case, the objective also is to build a
20 history of the plant, and those plants who have shown a
21 higher degree of deficiencies are placed on an intensified
22 inspection, so that they are more focused towards the plant
23 that have more deficiencies and less to the plants who do
24 not have deficiencies.
25
26 Q. Tell us about Tyson's plant at Nashville Arkansas; what is
27 its sanitary history?
28 A. Perfect. They have never ever been placed on
29 intensified inspection.
30
31 Q. If they were placed on intensified inspection, would
32 McDonald's know about it?
33 A. Absolutely.
34
35 Q. What would McDonald's reaction be?
36 A. It will be not to use -- well, the US DA would not
37 allow us to use any products, coming from any plant, that
38 is not fit for human consumption, that is not wholesome.
39 The objective of the FSIS is to ensure that products are
40 wholesome. So we obviously will not use any of the
41 products if they are not produced in a hygienic manner.
42
43 Q. How often is a plant like this Tyson plant at Nashville
44 cleaned during the course of a day or week or a month?
45 A. It would depend on the area of the plant. At night, it
46 will follow a thorough clean up from wall to wall, from
47 floor to ceiling, at least once over the night, and it is
48 cleaned routinely throughout the day.
49
50 Q. Continuously throughout the day?
51 A. That is correct.
52
53 Q. Do that have special staff to clean it?
54 A. That is correct; and equipment, I might add.
55
56 Q. And equipment?
57 A. Equipment, yes.
58
59 Q. Do the inspectors inspect the cleaning equipment?
60 A. Absolutely. They inspect everything in the facilities,
