Friday, March 29, 2024

Rotten meat scandal taints Brazil

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Brazil, the world’s biggest exporter of red meat, has been hit by a beef scandal that could seriously damage the country’s international reputation.
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A number of meat processors have been accused of bribing inspectors to ensure rotten meat stayed on the market.

Claims were also been made the companies used cheap products like water and manioc flour to blend in with meat before sale.

A judge in Brazil has also accused the agriculture ministry of betraying the country as police issued 38 arrest warrants following a clampdown called Operation Weak Flesh on Friday.

Meat giants JBS and BRF were among more than 20 companies targeted in the raids.

On Sunday Brazil’s president Michel Temer met dozens of ambassadors from countries importing Brazilian meat to reassure them the country’s beef was safe, though there had been claims tainted meat had been exported to the European Union.

He said the raids affected just 21 meat packers out of almost 5000 in the country.

Investigator Mauricio Moscardi Grillo said the meatpackers used chemicals to improve the appearance and smell of expired meats.

And at least one executive reported that rotten meat was mixed with healthy meat to be sold to consumers.

According to police reports, the meat companies could also choose the inspectors they wanted to visit their plants.

Those inspectors would then issue the proper certificates regardless of the condition of the meat.

European farmers’ body, Copa, said the scandal underlined the importance of ensuring that imports of meat from South America met the EU’s high safety and traceability standards.

“We have sent a letter to the EU Commission calling for our safety standards to be met and for Mercosur countries (Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Venezuela) to ensure the individual traceability of cattle,” secretary general Pekka Personen said.

“These countries currently do not have the same standards as us.”

But the two companies at the centre of the scandal denied the allegations.

JBS said “The company vehemently repudiates any adoption of practices related to the adulteration of products.”

Meanwhile, an agriculture ministry spokesman confirmed 33 meat inspectors had been suspended and three plants had been shut down.

“We will take action to punish those who committed this,” he said.

“It is not a routine problem; it is an isolated issue.”

UK Farmers Weekly

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