June 21, 2017 update: A Brazilian federal judge has blocked this $300-million sale of JBS beef operations to Minerva, as a corruption investigation continues and as the office of the attorney general asks that the assets of JBS and its majority shareholders be frozen. Read more from Reuters. JBS, the world’s largest meat producer, has been making headlines as its …
Guest commentary by COK volunteer Simone de Lima, of Brazil: In March, we reported on an investigation into corruption in the Brazilian meat industry that made major headlines across the world. The investigation — dubbed Operation Weak Flesh — went on to reveal systemic corruption in the government oversight of meat safety in more than 30 companies, ranging from smaller slaughterhouses all the …
March 23 update: JBS temporarily suspended operations in 33 of its 36 meat plants in Brazil because of a “lack of sales,” according to Reuters. A dozen countries suspended all meat imports from Brazil and eight other countries halted imports from the specific plants being investigated. Guest blog by COK volunteer Simone de Lima, of Brazil: Just days ago, following a …
Legislators in Sao Paulo, Brazil, the country’s largest city, recently voted to ban the production and sale of foie gras, a so-called “delicacy” made from the diseased livers of ducks and geese. The law will go into effect in August. As noted by Sao Paulo City Councilman Laercio Benko, the author of the law, “Foie gras is an appetizer for the wealthy. It …