October 17, 2012

JBS now able to export processed meat to US

Thermo-processed meat exports from JBS S.A.'s Argentine unit can now be delivered to the US.

The decision comes after FSIS visited JBS plants based in Argentina during the past year, Argentina's Agriculture Ministry said in a news release.

FSIS banned such imports in October 2011 after finding errors in JBS Argentina's production systems.

FSIS has demanded that all animals come from certified slaughterhouses/farms in order to guarantee their traceability, and that all meat producers sign a statement guaranteeing food safety, the ministry said.

Among FSIS's requirements were improvements to guarantee animal health and to reduce any presence of Listeria monocytogenes.

Neither JBS officials nor FSIS could be reached for comment.