China Halts Shipments From U.S. JBS Beef Plant Over Feed Additive

China has blocked beef exports from a major JBS SA beef plant in the U.S. after a controversial feed additive was found in meat shipments to the world’s largest buyer, Gerson Freitas Jr. reported for Bloomberg News.

The move from China is a blow to JBS beef operations in the U.S. at a time when scarce cattle supplies have sent costs surging and eroded beef producers’ profits. I Photo: JBS ESG

JBS is “working diligently with U.S. and Chinese authorities to resolve the situation as soon as possible,” the Brazilian meat giant said in a statement.

The plant suspended by China is in Greeley, Colorado, and no other JBS beef facility in the U.S. has been affected. The additive in question is known as ractopamine, which is used by livestock producers to boost muscle growth and improve feed efficiency among pigs and beef cattle.

While meat from ractopamine-fed animals is considered safe for human consumption by U.S. authorities, the substance is banned in several countries.

The move from China is a blow to JBS beef operations in the U.S. at a time when scarce cattle supplies have sent costs surging and eroded beef producers’ profits, Michael Hirtzer also reported for Bloomberg News.