Beef hamburgers were banned from New York City schools' cafeterias after the Humane Society of the United States released a video which displays unnecessary cruelty against cows at a Westland/Hallmark Meat Co. meat factory in California. Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer, who was named on the job just a week ago, has blasted the inappropriate treatment of animals at the slaughterhouse, but he also criticized the Humane Society for not informing authorities in a timely manner.

"The Humane Society, since late October, has been willing to let animals suffer out there," he said, questioning the Humane Society's decision to wait out in order to gather as much evidence as possible before noticing the district attorney.

"It's USDA's responsibility to prevent his abuse," Humane Society president and CEO Wayne Pacelle shot back. "USDA personnel were on site and they are the ones who are paid with American tax dollars to prevent this appalling cruelty."

The Chino, Ca. slaughterhouse was shut down this week pending an investigation. The facility had been previously cited for using electric prods on animals, federal officials said to AP. In 2005, the meat factory was found with several irregularities, which were allegedly corrected by May 2007, according to reports by USDA inspectors.

"How [the cruelty] went undetected is certainly going to be part of the investigation," said Kenneth Petersen, an assistant administrator at the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service. "Did they have knowledge of perhaps when my inspectors would be around?"

The Humane Society of the United States conducted the six-week investigation at the end of last year at the Chino slaughterhouse. They released a graphic video last week showing workers using cruel methods to force sick cows to stand up in order to pass inspection for slaughter. The cows were kicked, shocked with electricity and dragged with chains, with some of them passing the checks.

This is not only a humanitarian concern, but also a health concern, because sick cows are prohibited from being slaughtered because they have a much higher risk of carying disease or harmful bacteria.

The hold on beef at New York City schools had been set to expire on Saturday but has now been extended until Feb. 19. Westland will not be able to run its meat business again until it presents USDA with a clear corrective action plan. The company struggles to do early next week, general manager Anthony Magidow said Friday.

The USDA has so far said there is no indication any unsafe meat left the facility.