US in beef with Brazil

THE United States announced yesterday a halt to all imports of fresh beef from Brazil, the world’s second-largest producer, citing “recurring” concerns after large shipments failed food safety tests.

The ban will remain in place until satisfactory corrective actions are taken, the US Department of Agriculture said in a statement that will again put the reputation of Brazil’s industry under the spotlight.

All meat imported to the US from Brazil has been inspected since March, when top meat producers became embroiled in a tainted-meat scandal.