CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A west Charlotte farm was hit with a massive fine after investigators discovered it was operating an illegal slaughterhouse.
North Carolina inspectors said Big H Farms, located on Dilling Farm Road, put the public’s health in danger by running an unlicensed and unregulated slaughterhouse.
“It could certainly carry bacteria such as E. Coli, so there (are) several public health issues,” said Dr. Beth Yongue, director of North Carolina Meat and Poultry inspection division.
The agency sent in undercover buyers who bought meat and observed the conditions.
[READ: Big H Farms Inspection Documents (NOTE: Some details are disturbing)]
A court document said, “blood, bones, hooves, and horns were observed lying around the area from previous days processing activities.”
The meat was then taken to a lab and analyzed.
“The non-inspected, misbranded, and/or adulterated meat products contained a speckled black substance, hair, and fecal material,” according to the court documents.
The documents also said the area showed no signs of routine cleaning or sanitizing.
State officials said they have had repeated problems with Big H Farms, so they fined them $112,000. That fine is the largest ever issued by meat and poultry inspectors.
Investigators believe the farm only sold to individual buyers, not to stores.
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