U.S. suspends meat exports from Mexico

U.S. officials suspended all meat and chicken exports from Mexico due to safety concerns. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) the decision was made voluntarily by Mexican meat producers days after the USDA revoked the exporting licenses of seven Mexican processors.

The head of Mexico’s meat producers association anticipated that the suspension would be lifted soon:

Meat Council President Eugenio Salinas said the Mexican government has informed the council it could start issuing export permits as of next week…

"It was a voluntary and precautionary suspension," Salinas said…

Salinas said U.S. inspectors are in Mexico to check whether the problems have been corrected.

Over the past few months numerous products exported from Mexico have come under heightened scrutiny. A salmonella scare in North America was blamed on Mexican tomatoes and jalapeño peppers. Californian health officials issued a warning against a brand of Mexican candy in August after finding high levels of lead.

Image- WNCT

Sources- The Latin Americanist, USA TODAY, The Californian, AHN, Reuters