JBS
 
SÃO PAULO, Brazil – JBS SA, the world’s largest meat packer, has resumed processing operations at 10 plants in Brazil. The company had suspended beef production at the facilities to align supplies of beef with demand which had dropped following an anticorruption investigation launched by the Federal Police in Brazil.
 
“JBS announced that six of the 10 Brazilian beef units under furlough will resume operations next Monday, April 24, as previously planned,” JBS spokesman Cameron Bruett said in a statement. “The other four plants will resume operations on May 2, upon the conclusion of refurbishment activities, operational adjustments and equipment replacement activities.”
 
JBS idled 10 of its 36 beef processing plants in March and placed workers on leave for 20 days. JBS, BRF SA and dozens of other meat packers were the subjects of an investigation by federal authorities who allege the meat packers paid bribes to meat inspectors in exchange for loosening food safety regulations.  The Federal Police recently indicted 63 individuals, including BRF director Andre Luiz Baldissera, as a result of the investigation. Both companies have denied any wrongdoing.