The Nation - News from Feb. 3, 1986

Agriculture Department investigators covered up evidence that senior officials toned down reports of contamination of meat and poultry, including one that processed beef was covered with feces, hair and flies, a former meat-inspection reviewer has charged. An official with the department’s inspector general’s office vigorously denied the allegation, which was outlined in an appeal to be filed with the U.S. Office of Special Counsel. The office investigates complaints of federal personnel abuses.