MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP PUBLIC SCHOOLS

OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT

59 TINDALL ROAD, MIDDLETOWN, NJ 07748

(732) 671-3850 FAX (732) 615-9351

www.middletownk12.org

Karen L. Bilbao William J. Doering, CPA

Superintendent of Schools Business Administrator/

Board Secretary

February 26, 2008

Dear Parents and Guardians:

Re: Beef Recall

The Middletown Township Board of Education received formal notice of the beef recall from the Department of Agriculture via email on Thursday, February 21, 2008. However, on February 19, 2008, prior to this formal notification, our District Food Service Director informed us of the recall information communicated to her by our district supplier. She stated that our district had been in possession of only one unopened case of the affected beef. This product was destroyed the same day (February 19, 2008) following all the proper procedures.

Our foodservice management company, Chartwells, would like us to share the following information with you:

“Chartwells’ top priority is the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff of the school districts we serve. On January 30, the USDA issued a product hold on Hallmark/Westland ground beef and suspended the company as a supplier. Yesterday (February 17, 2008) Hallmark/Westland Meat Company issued a voluntary Class 2 recall on approximately 143.3 MILLION pounds of raw and frozen beef products. A class 2 product recall is considered a low health risk and defined as: a health hazard situation exisiting where there is a remote probability of adverse health consequences from the use of the product. Per the USDA press release, the beef has been determined to be “unfit for human food because the cattle did not receive complete and proper inspection”. Our foodservice programs are in full compliance with government safety and sanitation codes and regulations, as well as all local health codes. In addition, Chartwells practices a sophisticated food safety, sanitation, and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) program. Chartwells’ Quality Assurance team will continue to monitor the situation for any further instructions.”

For further information, please refer to the statement from the USDA Secretary concerning the Hallmark/Westland recall by logging on to:

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/PDF/Recall_005-2008_Release.pdf