Dive Brief:
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture is testing shipments of raw beef and ready-to-eat products from Brazil, according to Reuters.
- The country has been investigating a meatpacking scandal where inspectors allegedly were taking bribes to allow sales of tainted food.
- The European Union, South Korea and Chile have suspended imports of Brazilian meat products this week.
Dive Insight:
Global Edge reported meat exports from Brazil, one of the world's largest beef and veal producers, totaled more than $13 billion in 2015. Brazil also is one of the major exporters of chicken and pork products. Last August, the U.S. and Brazilian governments agreed to open up their respective markets to fresh beef exports, a window expected to boost Brazil's shipments to the United States by $900 million.
The fact that inspectors are being investigated for allegedly allowing tainted food to get through is a major concern to the United States and other countries who import Brazilian meats. Increased safety tests shouldn’t slow down imports too much, although things at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have been slower since President Trump took office.
Unlike other countries, the U.S. has not stopped meat from Brazil from coming into the country because the safety protocols by the FDA are strong enough to detect any problems.