SOUTH BEND — The Humane Society of the United States Wednesday filed suit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

They want the agency to close a loophole that allows slaughterhouses to use some sick cows.

The practice was outlawed in 2004 over concerns of mad cow disease, but in 2007 it was altered.

The CEO of the Humane Society will testify before a Senate committee Thursday.

Some of that recalled meat ended up at the Food Bank of Northern Indiana. Wednesday, the Food Bank threw out 2,000 lbs. of recalled beef.

The Food Bank is now short on protein. They say unless they receive contributions the supply will not be replaced anytime soon.

"This is really a loss for us here in north central Indiana, the six counties we serve, and 50 percent of that is right here in St. Joseph County,” said Dennis Brown, the Executive Director of the Food Bank of Northern Indiana. "10,000 lbs. of hamburger meat would do … what 40,000 Big Macs? That’s a lot of food we have seen gone."

The Food Bank is in need of products that contain protein — like chicken, beef, and tuna — for its pantry.