USDA institutes 100% re-inspection due to Brazil’s meat scandal

The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has announced additional steps to keep the food supply safe for Americans in light of the recent investigations of Brazil’s meat industry. While none of the slaughter or processing facilities implicated in the Brazilian scandal have shipped meat products to the United States, the agency immediately instituted additional pathogen testing of all shipments of raw beef and ready-to-eat products from Brazil upon hearing reports of the Brazilian investigation. The USDA has also increased its examination of all these products at ports-of-entry across the country. The agency will indefinitely maintain its 100% re-inspection and pathogen testing of all lots of FSIS-regulated products imported from Brazil.

According to NPR, Brazil’s federal police have unearthed evidence that the employees of some meat-processing companies bribed ministry inspectors to ignore outdated and adulterated products. More than 1,100 police officers carried out nearly 200 raids in the search and seizure operation across six Brazilian states and the country’s capital of Brasilia. They found 40 cases of suspected malpractice, including the use of chemicals to improve the smell of expired meat, and of flour and even cardboard to pad out sausages.

They also allege that meatpackers were able to handpick their Ministry of Agriculture inspectors, who issued approval and export certificates regardless of adulteration. One of the companies accused of bribing officials is JBS SA, one of the world’s largest meat processors. The company has responded with a slew of media advertisements, including full-page newspaper ads, stressing its high quality standards. It has vehemently denied that any of its brands used adulterated products.

USDA release

NPR article