BRF suspends mask use at Brazil plant as COVID cases fall, rivals do not

By Ana Mano

SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Brazilian food processor BRF SA confirmed it has made wearing a face mask "optional" at its Carambei chicken plant starting Sunday, according to a statement sent to Reuters on Tuesday.

The move had been detailed in an internal memo seen by Reuters earlier.

The company said the plan reflects an improvement in COVID-19 indicators in Brazil, a high rate of employees with a complete vaccination cycle, and recommendations from health authorities.

Other major meatpackers in Brazil have not changed their worker protection policies yet.

JBS SA, the world's largest meat producer, told Reuters it is keeping mask requirements at its units as part of its COVID prevention protocol. Beef processors Minerva and Marfrig said the same in separate statements.

Aurora, a privately-owned pork and poultry processor, is maintaining mask use "at its main plants as these are units that export to countries that require it."