WASHINGTON ( CNN ) -- The Humane Society of the United States released a video Wednesday it says shows mistreatment of `` downed '' cows at a California slaughterhouse -- and one lawmaker said it raises questions about the safety of the nation 's food supply . The Humane Society says the video was shot last year by an undercover investigator . The video shows Hallmark Meat Packing Co. workers administering repeated electric shocks to downed cows -- animals that are too sick , weak or otherwise unable to stand on their own . Workers are seen kicking cows , jabbing them near their eyes , ramming them with a forklift and shooting high-intensity water up their noses in an effort to force them to their feet for slaughter . The society says the video was shot last year by an undercover investigator who wore a hidden camera under his clothes when he worked at the facility . Hallmark Meat Packing Co. , based in Chino , California , sells beef to its sister company , Westland Meat , which distributes it to various federal programs , including the National School Lunch Program . Watch the video of cows being abused » . Downed cows are more easily contaminated and may carry diseases harmful to consumers . U.S. Department of Agriculture regulations prohibit allowing disabled or contaminated animals into the food supply . Officials said they would investigate . `` This must serve as a five-alarm call to action for Congress and the U.S. Department of Agriculture , '' said Wayne Pacelle , Humane Society president . `` Our government simply must act quickly both to guarantee the most basic level of humane treatment for farm animals and to protect America 's most vulnerable people -- our children , needy families and the elderly -- from the potentially dangerous food . '' The Associated Press reported that the Agriculture Department is investigating the possible violation of state and federal laws at the slaughterhouse . Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer said `` appropriate actions will be taken '' if violations are found in the facility , and added there is no evidence the nation 's beef supply is at risk . Sen. Dick Durbin , D-Illinois , sent letters Wednesday to the agriculture secretary and the head of the Food Safety and Inspection Service ( FSIS ) asking for an immediate investigation into the safety of ground beef being used in the National School Lunch Program . `` The treatment of animals in this video is appalling , but more than that , it raises significant concerns about the safety of the food being served to our nation 's children , '' Durbin said . `` The apparent slaughter of sick and weak animals not only appears to violate USDA regulations , but could be a danger to our nation 's food supply . '' He called on the USDA to investigate and urged FSIS to act immediately `` to review the safety of the food being used in the school lunch program . '' Westland , the second-largest supplier of beef for the National School Lunch Program , was named `` supplier of the year '' in 2004-2005 by the Agriculture Department . It has delivered beef to schools in 36 states . In a written statement , Steve Mendell , president of both Westland and Hallmark , said the company has fired the two employees in the video and suspended their supervisor . `` We are shocked , saddened and sickened by what we have seen today . Operations have been immediately suspended until we can meet with all our employees and be assured these sorts of activities never again happen at our facility , '' he said . The statement did not address whether meat from the sick cows in the video ever entered the food supply . The USDA , in its news release , said it was `` unfortunate '' the Humane Society `` did not present this information to use when these alleged violations occurred in the fall of 2007 . '' The Humane Society , in its statement , said it had turned the information over to `` California law enforcement officials '' at that time , and `` local authorities asked for extra time before public release of the information . '' E-mail to a friend . Copyright 2008 CNN . All rights reserved.This material may not be published , broadcast , rewritten , or redistributed . Associated Press contributed to this report .
Hidden-camera video shows workers shocking , kicking , jabbing weakened cows . Such cows are more easily contaminated , may carry diseases harmful to consumers . Society president calls on Congress to act to protect food supply . Packer sells beef to company that supplies National School Lunch Program .