BRATISLAVA, April 5 (Xinhua) -- Slovak veterinary inspectors have found more evidence of salmonella in chicken meat imported from Brazil, Slovak Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Gabriela Matecna announced on Wednesday.
The Salmonella Mbandaka bacteria and Salmonella Heidelberg bacteria were found in seven cases in Brazilian chicken meat, in liver and in breasts. According to Matecna, it has emerged during the inspections that letter-box companies with actual locations other than their official addresses have been involved in the distribution of meat.
"We'll act tough and uncompromisingly against persons endangering the health of Slovak people," stressed Matecna.
As much as 80 percent of Brazilian meat comes to Europe via the Netherlands, while Slovakia was one of the first European countries to launch inspections in response to the Brazilian rotten meat scandal.
Based partly on the results of Slovak tests, the EU has called on its member states also to begin performing inspections on Brazilian meat. Meanwhile, salmonella has been found in Brazilian meat in the Netherlands and the Czech Republic.
