In March 2017, following notification from the Government of Brazil that rotten beef had been dis-covered in the processing and canning of certain corned beef produced in that country, a ban against the sale and imports of such items was enforced by the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis. Subsequently, samples of the corned beef imported from Brazil were subjected to analyses conducted by the Bureau of Standards and the results indicate that the products are safe for human consumption in accordance with the food safety laws of the Federation of St. Kitts & Nevis.
The National Agriculture, Health & Food Safety Committee, which is comprised of the following agencies: • Ministry of Health • Ministry of Agriculture • Department of Consumer Affairs • Bu-reau of Standards • Customs and Excise Department is therefore making the following recommendations:
1) To lift the temporary ban imposed on March 24, 2017 on imported Brazilian corned beef with immediate effect.
2) To re-introduce to the shelves all corned beef imported from and originating in Brazil
The National Agriculture, Health & Food Safety Committee also confirmed that the corned beef imported into the Federation did not originate from any of the meat processing plants under investigation by the Brazilian authorities.
Importers are reminded that import restriction on products derived from mechanically separated beef is still in effect, as a Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) food safety measure. Failure to comply with this import condition will result in confiscation of the product and removal of the exporting plant as a trading partner.
Dr. Hazel Laws CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER