School cafeterias are pulling beef from the menu while the U.S. Department of Agriculture investigates charges of inhumane and unsafe treatment of cattle at a slaughterhouse that supplies the school lunch program.

The allegations surfaced as a result of an investigation by The Humane Society of the United States. The group produced a video allegedly documenting animals too sick to walk being forced to their feet so that they could pass USDA inspection. To see the video, visit the Humane Society web site here.

Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco schools have pulled beef from their menus. School officials say they don't know whether the beef products were exposed to any risk, but they are playing it safe.

"I don't want to confuse our parents by serving a beef product and having them wonder whether their child is at risk," said Rick Kurtz, director of food and nutrition services in Pasco schools. "We're being ultra-conservative."

Pinellas students were scheduled to eat meatball subs yesterday -- and a potato turbate today. Gray Miller, director of school food and services in Pinellas, said lunchroom managers instead will serving chicken, turkey or pork.

"We believe everything is perfectly safe, but we've been instructed to hold," she said.

Pasco is planning to substitute pork and chicken for the tacos on the menu for elementary schools next week. Unless beef products get a green light later this week, Pasco students won't be seeing hamburgers next Wednesday or meatballs in their spaghetti next Thursday.