Health officials in St Lucia are reacting to widespread investigations in Brazil relating to the sale of unwholesome meat and meat products, with a temporary ban. The authorities in Brazil suspended 33 government officials amid allegations that some of the country’s biggest meat processors have been selling rotten beef and poultry for years. Three meat processing plants have also been closed and another 21 are under scrutiny. The investigators allege that some managers bribed health inspectors and politicians to get government certificates for their products. Although Saint Lucia is not an importer of fresh and frozen beef, neither poultry from Brazil, it is estimated that approximately 90% of corned beef imported into Saint Lucia originates from Brazil. A meeting was convened on Tuesday, among Saint Lucia’s national agencies responsible for food safety. Wenn Gabriel tells us more about the measures agreed upon at that meeting.
