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Brazil meat scandal
WorldAmericas

Three more Brazilian meat plants suspended in widening scandal

Brazil hopes to convince Hong Kong to lift its ban on Brazilian meat

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View of chickens and sausages in a steakhouse in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The meat industry in Brazil, one of the biggest in the country, is facing a crisis after the operation 'Carne Fraca' (weak meat), affecting not only the exportations of the product but also the local market. Photo: EPA
Reuters

Brazil’s Agriculture Ministry said on Monday it ordered three more food processing facilities to suspend production amid an investigation into alleged corruption of inspectors and unsanitary conditions in the world’s biggest meat producer.

That brings to six the number of food processing plants that have been ordered temporarily closed by Brazilian authorities. A total of 21 plants are included in a police investigation and are not allowed to export any product, although they may still produce for the domestic market.

All three plants ordered closed on Monday are in Parana state, where the scandal has been centred. They include units of Souza Ramos, Industria de Laticinios SSPMA and Fabrica de Farinha de Carnes Castro.

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Meat products are seen during an inspection by Rio de Janeiro state's consumer protection agency, PROCON, at a supermarket in Rio de Janeiro. Photo: AFP
Meat products are seen during an inspection by Rio de Janeiro state's consumer protection agency, PROCON, at a supermarket in Rio de Janeiro. Photo: AFP

Several major meat importers issued bans after Brazilian federal police on March 17 unveiled an investigation into alleged payments to government health officials by meat processing companies to forgo inspections and ignore abuses, code-named “Operation Weak Flesh.”

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