The Brazilian branch of JBS - the biggest producer of beef in the world - has announced it is suspending all production in 33 of its 36 processing units in Brazil for three days, starting today, as a result of the Weak Flesh operation.
According to O Estadão, the company should operate again from Monday in all units. However, production will be reduced by 35% due to cuts in exports following the meat scandal.
JBS announced this week it will keep its 125,000 Brazilian employees, even with the lower production and sales.
The three meat processing units that will keep normal activities for these three days are located in the states of Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul and Bahia.
Weak Flesh Operation
The operation, Weak Flesh, which was launched in six Brazilian states on March 17th, has revealed that 21 meat processing units bribed health inspectors and politicians to obtain sanitary certifications. The companies are accused of using chemicals and acids to mask the aspect of tainted meat.
Among the investigated units were JBS and BRF, the world's number one poultry exporter.
Due to the scandal, at least eight countries (Mexico, Chile, Japan, Switzerland, China, Hong Kong, South Africa and Egypt) have suspended meat imports from Brazil.
The European Union and South Korea are temporarily halting imports from the investigated processing units.
For more on the topic, visit: Brazilian Meat Scandal: 21 Meat Units Have Exports Suspended
© 2017 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Josiane Lang. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
