- Title: Brazilians respond to corruption investigations in meat industry
- Date: 20th March 2017
- Summary: SAO PAULO, BRAZIL (MARCH 20, 2017) (REUTERS) VARIOUS EXTERIORS OF BRF MEAT PACKING OUTFIT / STREET IN FRONT VARIOUS OF PEOPLE ENTERING OUTFIT CLOSE-UP OF BRF LOGO PAN OF MEAT ON DISPLAY VARIOUS OF WORKER CUTTING MEAT BRAZILIAN CITIZEN, ANA CLAUDIA, ORDERING MEAT (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) BRAZILIAN CITIZEN, ANA CLAUDIA, SAYING: "I am very annoyed about all of this, unfortuna
- Embargoed: 3rd April 2017 20:31
- Keywords: Meat corruption Brazil
- Location: SAO PAULO, BRAZIL
- City: SAO PAULO, BRAZIL
- Country: Brazil
- Topics: Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA00168RM72B
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Brazilians are adjusting as the nation confronts a corruption scandal tarnishing its lucrative meat industry, raising concerns over unsanitary conditions in meatpacking outfits.
On Friday (March 17), Brazilian police raided global meatpacking companies JBS SA and BRF SA as well as dozens of smaller rivals in a crackdown on alleged payments to health officials to conceal unsanitary conditions.
Some shoppers are adjusting their buying habits as investigations are carried out, deciding for example to avoid frozen goods.
Brazilian President Michel Temer, sought to quell concerns said saying investigators would accelerate the probe and underscored that Friday's raids affected just 21 of more than 4,800 meatpackers in operation. Only 33 of more than 11,000 inspectors, he added, are being investigated.
Countries throughout the world including China and Korea are suspending imports after what the Brazilian police operation codenamed "Weak Flesh," which could deal a heavy blow to one of the few sectors of Latin America's largest economy that has thrived during a two-year recession.
The companies have strongly denied any wrongdoing. Authorities have emphasized that no cases of illness have been linked to the investigation. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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