ST GEORGE’S, Grenada (CMC) — Grenada has join the list of countries within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), to place a ban on the importation and consumption of corned beef from Brazil.

The government has also banned the importation of other processed meat products from the South American nation until further notice.

In a release issued late Wednesday, the government said the ban will remain in place until further notice.

The release said the decision was based on reports out of Brazil as well as the international media regarding the sale of tainted meat.

During a meeting yesterday, the national agencies responsible for food safety – including the Veterinary and Livestock Division of the Ministry of Agriculture, the Bureau of Standards and the Environmental Health Division of the Ministry of Health several decisions were made with regards to the protection of consumers.

The three major decisions were – to advise retailers to remove for sale all processed meat products originating from Brazil until further notice; to increase the surveillance of establishments that trade in corned beef and other processed meats products locally and continued networking with regional and sub-regional partner agencies in developing a common position in further response to this matter.

“The Ministry of Health, as well as the other local agencies, will continue to work with the Brazilian authorities with a view to ensuring that this matter is resolved satisfactorily in the interest of health and public safety,” the release added.

Since the commencement of the investigation by the Brazilian Authorities, several countries, including Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and the British Virgin islands have instituted measures to restrict the importation of meat and poultry products from Brazil.