Mexico has shut down beef, pork and poultry exports to the US from seven plants in response to problems found by an annual audit performed by the USDA.

USDA spokeswoman Laura Reiser said Saturday (August 23) that Mexico voluntarily shut down exports of "processed pork, processed chicken, and processed and fresh beef" from the seven plants after being notified by USDA auditors of problems with food-safety procedures at the facilities.

USDA officials, including Food Safety and Inspection Service Administrator Al Almanza, met with Mexican officials this week to brief them in detail on the results of the audit that was performed in June and July.