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Sixty-three indicted in Brazilian meat scandal

The Federal Police in Brazil has indicted 63 people for their role in the Brazilian meat scandal and the corruption within the Ministry of Agriculture.  According to the plus55, a Brazilian news website, federal auditors took bribes in exchange for fraudulent sanitary permits.

Police also charged the suspects with falsifying medical records and certificates, tampering with food products, conspiracy and corruption.  Producers are reportedly under investigation for using ascorbic acid and other chemical ingredients above the legally permitted amount in order to “disguise the physical aspect or smell of rotten meat”.

In an interview with Bloomberg, Brazil’s agriculture minister said the meat scandal could cost Brazilian meatpackers $1.5 billion in exports this year.

The list of people indicted includes senior government officials and executives at meat packers JBS and BRF (formerly Brasil Foods S.A.).