The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has suspended meat imports from Brazil after an investigation of 4,837 meat-processing plants by Brazilian Federal Police uncovered health and food-safety irregularities at 21 of the facilities. Although it is not possible to determine which South African companies import meat from Brazil, major retailers were quick to respond to the department's decision. Shoprite, which sources 98% of its chicken from South African farmers, said on Friday that "a negligible portion" of the remaining 2% it imported was from Brazil. "As far as the group is able to ascertain, none of the Brazilian chicken it imports was processed through the factories implicated in the scandal," a spokeswoman said. "The procurement of locally produced products will always be a priority for Shoprite. However, constant high demand for chicken outstrips supply in South Africa. We therefore have to import very small quantities when needed." However, four shipments due...
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