KENTLAND, Ind. -- A truck driver has been cited after thousands of pounds of raw meat were found unrefrigerated in the back of his rig, police said.

The tractor-trailer was stopped along U.S. 41 near Kentland at about 9:30 a.m. Thursday for speeding.

The trooper said he then noticed that the truck's refrigerator compressor was not running. The driver, Chun Zhang, 44, said he had forgotten to turn it on.

Police said the temperature inside the trailer was 69.5 degrees, causing frozen chicken and beef to thaw and drip blood and juices onto the floor.

The chicken was found to be at 48 degrees, while the beef measured between 48 to 50 degrees, police said.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, bacteria on raw meat thrive at temperatures above 41 degrees.

The Newton County Health Department made the decision to destroy about 2,200 pounds of contaminated boxes of meat and other foods.

Police said the truck was en route to make deliveries at Indianapolis, Columbus and Bloomington restaurants and grocery stores.

Zhang was cited for a federal motor carrier violation of insecure and leaky load and was given a warning for speeding.