July 23, 2008 - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed legislation Tuesday to crack down on the sale of downed cattle for human consumption in response to the largest beef recall in U.S. history.

"I am committed to ensuring California's food supply is safe and secure," Schwarzenegger said in a prepared statement after signing Assembly Bill 2098.

"With today's action, we are strengthening California's food safety laws and sending a message that violating these laws will not be tolerated."

AB 2098, by Democratic Assemblyman Paul Krekorian of Burbank, makes it a misdemeanor to buy, sell, process or butcher a nonambulatory animal for human consumption.

The bill stemmed from the February recall of 143 million pounds of beef from Westland/Hallmark Meat Co. after the Humane Society of the United States surreptitiously videotaped mistreatment of downed cattle at the Chino facility.