On June 22, 2017, the United States suspended imports of fresh beef from Brazil, the fifth largest beef exporter to the U.S. Brazil's Federal Police conducted a two-year investigation into the country's beef industry, and according to investigators, Brazilian food inspectors accepted bribes, falsified sanitary permits and allowed expired meats to be sold.
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Among the problems discovered during inspections were abscesses in the meat, thought to be due to infected vaccination sites. Dozens of food inspectors were arrested, and one meatpacker was fined $3.2 billion. Now, the USDA ban on Brazilian raw intact beef has been lifted, and cattle slaughtered on or after February 21, 2020, is eligible for export.
Prior to the 2017 ban, 63 people were charged by Brazilian police for being part of a corruption scheme involving Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture. Auditors were accused of taking bribes in exchange for falsified sanitary permits, manufacturers were accused of selling spoiled meat, using chemical ingredients to make rotting meat smell better, and injecting water into poultry so they could sell it for more money.
Auditors from the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service were sent to Brazil Jun 10-28, 2019 and again January 13-24, 2020. During their most recent visit, the auditors inspected eight of the 28 plants now allowed to export intact beef to the U.S., and they verified that Brazil had implemented the necessary corrective actions.
In all, the U.S. imports beef from 22 different countries totaling over 3 billion pounds in 2016. Australia, Canada and New Zealand top the list of countries supplying beef to the U.S., followed by Mexico and Brazil. When it comes to grass fed beef, as much as 80% is imported, most of which comes from Australia. Brazil is also a significant source of grass fed beef. A little-known fact that hides the country of origin is that as long as a piece of imported beef passes through a USDA-inspected plant, it can be labeled as a "Product of the USA." In other words, by importing entire carcasses and processing them in a U.S. facility, the imported meat suddenly becomes American.
Ideally, the best way to ensure you're getting exactly what you pay for is to buy directly from a trusted farmer. Many are more than happy to give you a tour and explain the details of their operation. Your next best option is to know your labels. The American Grassfed Association recently introduced much-needed grass fed standards and certification for American-grown grass fed beef and dairy, which will allow for greater transparency and conformity. To learn more, read, “The Brazilian Beef Scandal and the Future of US Grass Fed Beef.”