Al Almanza Exits USDA for Major Private Sector Meat Processor
After a 39 year stint with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that ended with his retirement on July 31, Al Almanza has a new private sector job--global head of food safety and quality assurance for JBS USA, a U.S. company that processes beef, pork and lamb products. Almanza’s position--responsible for JBS’s global food safety efforts, worldwide food safety operations, quality control and risk management systems--will be based in Greeley, CO.
JBS is on a mission to restore public confidence after reports of poor sanitary conditions and public health concerns were raised in relation to Brazil’s overall meat processing methods. JBS is reportedly the largest meat distributor in Brazil. In June, an announcement released by Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced that the U.S. would begin blocking Brazilian beef products from entering the U.S. Almanza and the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service were involved with the decision.