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RIO DE JANEIRO, March 17 (Xinhua) -- The Brazilian police uncovered on Friday a massive scheme of meat adulteration, which involves some of the country's largest meat producers.
The crackdown action came as part of the so-called "Operation Weak Flesh" launched by the police targeting some of the major meatpacking companies in Brazil, such as market leaders JBS Friboi and Brasil Foods.
The Federal Police said the meatpacking companies under investigation were selling expired meats. In order to disguise the odor of the meats, they were adding ascorbic acid to the pieces.
The companies then paid bribes to the Agricultural Ministry inspectors to authorize the sale of the contaminated meats.
According to the police, the adulterated meats was sold in the domestic market and exported as well.
High-profile politicians are also involved in this corruption scheme as the bribes paid by the meatpackers reportedly supplied two major political parties: the ruling Brazilian Democratic Movement Party (PMDB), and the Progressive Party(PP), a party in President Michel Temer's coalition.
The "Operation Weak Flesh" was the result of two years of investigations. Over 1,100 policemen participated in the operation on Friday, enforcing 309 arrests and search warrants.
The JBS Group and Brasil Foods released statement, denying the accusations, saying they support the operation and are at the authorities' disposal for clarifications.
The PMDB and the PP also denied having received bribes. The Agriculture Ministry has suspended 33 inspectors suspected of involving in the scheme.
