Hallmark/Westland May Close Indefinitely
The Wall Street Journal has reported that the chances of Hallmark/Westland shutting down for good may be greater than originally speculated. Anthony Magidow, general manager of the company, explained that customers are already stopping payments on products involved in the recall. The plant has already temporarily shut while undergoing investigation and according to Magidow, the company is running on very little cash.
The company was a leading supplier of beef to the National School Lunch Program and officials from the USDA have already made it known that they intend to make Hallmark/Westland cover costs for destroying and replacing recalled meat for the federal program. Magidow also stated that if the USDA does demand payment the company will most definitely have to shut down for good. There were no comments from Steve Mendell, president and owner of Hallmark/Westland.