Problematic Brazilian meat also found in Slovakia

Slovak food inspectors have found 17 types of Brazilian meat which failed to measure up to the required standards on the local market, according to Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Gabriela Matečná. It suspended the sale of 327 products and tested 82 samples, with more tests still underway. Irregularities have been found "mainly in large retailers and in warehouses", which will now face administrative proceedings. "Tests aimed at preservatives and salmonella have yet to be concluded. I'm encouraging all consumers to carefully read the labels of meat products and to check their origin," added Matečná. As much as 80 percent of Brazilian meat exports make it to the EU via the Netherlands. In comparison with other EU-member countries, Slovakia imports relatively large quantities of meat from Brazil, about 240 tonnes of beef annually and some 9,000 tonnes of chicken.