China Blocks JBS Beef Export Due to Additive Found

Meat processor JBS stated that Beijing blocked US beef shipments from the company's plant in Greeley, CO, because traces of the feed additive ractopamine were identified in beef destined for China.

Brazil-based JBS, the world's largest beef producer, said in a statement it is working with US and Chinese authorities to resolve the situation and that no other JBS beef facilities in the US have been impacted, Reuters reported.

The suspension was effective Monday, according to a notice posted on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) website.

Ractopamine is a feed additive used to to develop leanness and increase feed conversion efficiency in different farm animals. Its use has been banned or restricted in at least 160 countries, including the European Union, Russia, and China.

In addition, China has suspended exports of meat and poultry products coming from Cool Port Oakland in Oakland, CA, effective the same date, according to a spokesperson from USDA FSIS.

"China customs detected ractopamine in a batch of frozen beef omasum products exported to China from these establishments and destroyed this batch of products in accordance with their regulations," the USDA FSIS spokesperson said in an email statement.