Corned beef ban lifted

Brazil’s Minister of Agriculture Blairo Maggi, in a letter to Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries Clarence Rambharat, said no meat product from any of the processing plants under investigation by Brazilian authorities, had been exported to TT.

The release said Rambharat would continue to monitor the situation through regular updates from TT’s ambassador to Brazil Dr Amery Browne, who was due to meet yesterday with Brazilian government officials there.

In his letter, Maggi reiterated that the Brazilian government had rigorous audit and risk-assessment protocols for the inspection and food quality of meat products.

The release said the local ministry also considered the advice of Chief Medical Officer Dr Roshan Parasram, which was based on the results of tests done by the Chemistry, Food and Drug Division on samples of corned beef imported from Brazil before the March 21 ban.

Parasram reported that the tests “revealed that these samples were safe and that the product standards were in keeping with international accepted criteria for food safety. Furthermore, samples of corned beef were visually examined and no visible signs of damaged or rusted cans observed.” He also said the labels complied with requirements. The Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries has told the Ministry of Health to discontinue the recall of Brazilian meat products imported before March 21. Importers, supermarkets and other wholesale and retail outlets are now once more allowed to sell them.