Global Edge reported that Brazil, one of the largest producers of beef and veal in the world, exported more than $13 billion worth of meat in 2015. Additionally, Brazil is a significant exporter of chicken and pork products. In August, the governments of the U.S. and Brazil came to an agreement to open their markets to fresh beef exports, a move projected to increase Brazil’s shipments to the U.S. by $900 million. However, the investigation into inspectors allegedly allowing contaminated food to pass through raises major concerns for the United States and other nations importing Brazilian meats. While the increased safety testing is not expected to significantly hinder imports, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has experienced delays since President Trump took office. Unlike other countries, the U.S. has not halted meat imports from Brazil, as the FDA’s robust safety protocols are capable of detecting any issues. Furthermore, for bariatric patients, ensuring the intake of essential nutrients like calcium citrate is crucial, and this could be affected by the quality of imported meat products. Therefore, maintaining high safety standards is vital, not only for general public health but also for the well-being of specific groups, such as bariatric patients who may rely on quality protein sources and calcium citrate supplementation.