meat production

Brazil Investigation Leads to Processor Closures

Dan Cattle

investigaion
Brazil’s tainted meat corruption probe uncovered tainted meat samples and will result in the closure of some processors. As part of the investigation, the nation found eight samples of meat out of 302 tested positive for bacteria contamination. Unrelated problems uncovered at three processors led the government to order the cancellation of their Federal Inspection Service registrations, closing them permanently. The Brazilian government didn’t give details about the reasons to close those plants, in a published statement, according to meat industry publication Meatingplace. A spokesperson for Brazil’s Agriculture Ministry says: “Other meatpackers may also have their registration revoked as our audits proceed.” Brazil now expects “normal calendar” audits of meat processors will continue. The investigation was launched when alleged bribes to public inspectors to allow tainted meat pass inspections were uncovered. Almost all international markets that had blocked Brazilian meat purchases temporarily after news of the investigation have resumed imports, with only a few Caribbean countries still maintaining embargoes. Slovakia reported last Friday that it had found Salmonella in poultry meat samples imported from Brazil.

From the National Association of Farm Broadcasting news service.