BRF’s Toledo unit in Brazil registers over 1,000 Covid-19 cases 

Chicken exporter BRF’s Toledo facility had registered about 29% of Covid-19 cases at slaughterhouses in Parana state of Brazil, Reuters reported citing the most recent state data available.

According to the data, this facility had 1,138 confirmed Covid-19 cases, while the firm’s  Carambei plant had only five cases.

The news agency quoted the Parana health authorities as saying that the state’s slaughterhouses had a total of 3,979 Covid-19 cases until 24 July.

The health authorities further added: “Although most companies have submitted a contingency plan for coping with Covid-19, cases continue to grow significantly.”

BRF was quoted by the news agency as stating: “There are no employees who tested positive for Covid-19 currently working at its Toledo and Carambei units.”

The firm stated that it carried out 11,000 coronavirus tests at the Toledo plant and it figures among the list of meat processors testing its employees.

The two facilities are now operating normally.

The data also indicated that the first worker at a food facility infected with coronavirus in the state was at GT Foods in Paranavai.

Another major meat processor JBS registered 88 Covid-19 cases at its four Parana facilities.

The company employs 11,000 people in Parana.

In May, there were reports that BRF planned to gradually reopen its chicken and pork plant in the country after it was shut by the company due to the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

During the same month, BRF has agreed to acquire Saudi Arabia’s Joody Al Sharqiya food production company from Hungry Bunny and other local firms.

BRF subsidiary Badi executed the $8m deal.