The plant's president, Steve Mendell, admitted to a congressional panel on Thursday that sick cows got into the food supply. So-called "downer cows" have been barred since a mad cow disease scare in 2003.
Slaughterhouses face stiffer penalties
California Senators Diane Feinstein and Barbara Boxer are proposing the bill following a scandal at the Westland Hallmark Packing Plant in Chino. Video of sick animals abused at the plant led to its closure and the largest beef recall in U.S. history.
