The Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau (IACM) said in a statement last night that it has decided to ban with immediate effect the importation of all frozen and chilled meat products from Brazil.
The decision came in the wake of Brazil’s “rotten meat” scandal in which about 30 people have been arrested. According to Brazilian police investigations, major meatpackers in the country were found to have been selling tainted meat products at home and abroad for years. The meatpackers allegedly bribed food hygiene inspectors in Brazil to overlook their unsavoury practices, such as selling tainted meat products. The scandal erupted late last week when the Brazilian police announced their shocking findings.
Hong Kong earlier yesterday also banned imports of all frozen and chilled meat and poultry from Brazil. The action followed the central government’s decision on Monday to suspended frozen and chilled meat imports from the South American country. Taiwan yesterday still allowed the import of Brazilian meat.
Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau (IACM) President Jose Fonseca Tavares speaks to reporters outside Ocean Gardens in Taipa on the sidelines of a public event yesterday. – Photo: MPDG
