CFS orders recall of frozen and chilled meat and poultry from 21 Brazilian plants

In view of a notification from the Brazilian authorities today (March 24) that the country will extend its scope of export ban to the 21 plants which are under investigation, the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) announced today that all the frozen and chilled meat and poultry imported from the 21 plants have to be recalled.

According to the information gathered by the CFS so far, among the 21 plants, six of them were involved in import licenses issued by the CFS in the past six weeks. The CFS will liaise with local importers to follow up on the recall.

As regards the temporary import suspension on frozen and chilled meat and poultry from Brazil, the CFS will maintain this precautionary measure. Once the Brazilian authorities provide more detailed information, the CFS will conduct further risk assessment and suitably review its follow-up actions, including narrowing the scope of the import ban.

The CFS will also make special arrangements for the frozen and chilled meat and poultry from Brazil which are being shipped but not yet arrived to Hong Kong prior to the import ban. The CFS will mark and seal the products upon their arrival for proper handling after the completion of the relevant investigation.

The Centre will continue to maintain liaison with the Brazilian authorities and take appropriate follow-up actions in response to the latest development.

Ends/Friday, March 24, 2017

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