THE LAST WORD:

Have you seen the video from the Humane Society of the United States showing slaughterhouse workers using forklifts and other inhumane means to move “downer” cattle for a Chino-based supplier of meat for the National School Lunch Program?

There are many words that immediately come to mind, of course. Cruel, disgusting, immoral. Whether it was criminal will be determined by the authorities.

But in the meantime, the federal government has suspended the company and is doing its best to track the beef so that it won’t enter the food supply. The concern is that the cattle may have been unhealthy and, therefore, the meat would be tainted.

So Newport-Mesa Unified School District officials have correctly decided to take beef off the menu until they are sure it’s safe.

“Some may criticize us for being overcautious, but our primary goal is to safeguard our kids; make sure food for kids is safe,” said Richard Green, the district’s man in charge of nutrition.

Some may criticize, yes, but it won’t be us. The kids can go without hamburgers just fine until the coast is clear.