Bill Niman wasn't involved in the tainted beef scandal that closed Petaluma, Calif.-based Rancho Feeding Corporation, but that didn't keep him from getting ensnared by the scandal.
Niman, owner of BN Ranch, which is known for its grass-fed beef products, was forced to dispose of grass-fed beef valued at $400,000 because of a recall of possibly tainted beef processed at Rancho Feeding. Niman was able to give some of the meat to family and friends, but 60,000 lbs. of beef was sent to a rendering plant for disposal, according to news reports.
A federal indictment unsealed on Aug. 18 charges Rancho Feeding's owners and two employees with conspiracy to distribute adulterated, misbranded and uninspected meat and mail fraud. A federal investigation led to the recall of more than 8.7 million lbs. of meat products.
