Overview
- EU officials recalled frozen consignments after tests detected banned hormones in Brazilian beef that arrived earlier this month.
- Affected markets include Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Slovakia, and the UK, with products removed from sale and recalls issued.
- Italian testing identified oestradiol‑17β in frozen beef, a growth hormone the EU has banned since 1981 and whose scientific advisers deem a complete carcinogen.
- IFA president Francie Gorman urged an immediate halt to Brazilian imports and the removal of food from the Mercosur deal, citing inadequate controls and public‑health risks.
- Fine Gael MEP Regina Doherty said the withdrawals show SPS/SBS checks are functioning as intended, as the European Parliament prepares to consider safeguard measures and opposition to the trade deal hardens in several member states.