By way of background, Brazilian federal police raided several meat producers last Friday for allegedly doling out bribes to inspectors to certify meat that was either rotten or tainted with Salmonella. The raids uncovered that a small number of companies and inspectors have allegedly been using “carcinogenic acids” to mask rotten meat, switching out labels on expired meat to change the expiration dates, and deliberately approving shipments of meat products contaminated with Salmonella.  In response, a number of countries have halted the importation of Brazilian meat. So far, China, Chile, Japan, Mexico, Hong Kong, South Africa and the European Union have suspended Brazilian meat purchases, partially or completely.

Yesterday, Brazillian Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT) wrote to the USDA urging the Agency to cease the importation of Brazilian meat.

We will continue to monitor developments on this issue as they unfold.