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| Brazil meat-packing giants 'exported rotten beef' | Brazil meat-packing giants 'exported rotten beef' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| 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. | 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. | |
| Much of the meat produced by the companies accused is exported to Europe and other parts of the world. | Much of the meat produced by the companies accused is exported to Europe and other parts of the world. |
| Brazil is the world's largest red meat exporter. | Brazil is the world's largest red meat exporter. |
| Agriculture Minister Blairo Maggi will meet foreign ambassadors on Monday to reassure them and try to prevent sanctions being issued against Brazilian meat exporters. | Agriculture Minister Blairo Maggi will meet foreign ambassadors on Monday to reassure them and try to prevent sanctions being issued against Brazilian meat exporters. |
| Operation Weak Flesh was launched in the early hours of Friday in six Brazilian states after a two-year investigation. | Operation Weak Flesh was launched in the early hours of Friday in six Brazilian states after a two-year investigation. |
| Federal police carried out raids in 194 locations, deploying more than 1,000 officers. | Federal police carried out raids in 194 locations, deploying more than 1,000 officers. |
| The investigators allege that some managers bribed health inspectors and politicians to get government certificates for their products. | The investigators allege that some managers bribed health inspectors and politicians to get government certificates for their products. |
| They accuse more than 30 companies of a number of unhygienic practices. Among them are JBS, the world's largest beef exporter, and BRF, the world's top poultry producer. | They accuse more than 30 companies of a number of unhygienic practices. Among them are JBS, the world's largest beef exporter, and BRF, the world's top poultry producer. |
| Brazilian federal police said they have evidence of at least 40 incidents. | Brazilian federal police said they have evidence of at least 40 incidents. |
| "They used acid and other chemicals to mask the aspect of the product. In some cases, the products used were carcinogenic," the police said. | "They used acid and other chemicals to mask the aspect of the product. In some cases, the products used were carcinogenic," the police said. |
| In other cases, potato, water and even cardboard paper was mixed with chicken meat to increase profits. | In other cases, potato, water and even cardboard paper was mixed with chicken meat to increase profits. |
| JBS said in a statement that it had followed rigorous quality standards and sanitary regulations. | JBS said in a statement that it had followed rigorous quality standards and sanitary regulations. |
| It confirmed the raids, but said none of its top executives had been targeted. | It confirmed the raids, but said none of its top executives had been targeted. |
| BRF said it was co-operating with the investigation. The company also denied breaching regulations. | BRF said it was co-operating with the investigation. The company also denied breaching regulations. |
| Prosecutors say a percentage of the bribe money was paid to two parties from the governing coalition: PP and President Michel Temer's PMDB. | Prosecutors say a percentage of the bribe money was paid to two parties from the governing coalition: PP and President Michel Temer's PMDB. |
| Shares of JBS and BRF have fallen by 10% and 8% respectively in the Sao Paulo stock exchange following the announcement. | Shares of JBS and BRF have fallen by 10% and 8% respectively in the Sao Paulo stock exchange following the announcement. |
| JBS has a net revenue of $55bn (£44bn). It exports to some 150 countries. | JBS has a net revenue of $55bn (£44bn). It exports to some 150 countries. |