Meat Check

From small beginnings, Carlos da Silva has worked hard throughout his life to reach his current position: meat inspector at an IBS SA plant. The pay is mediocre, but enough to put food on the table for his family. Fortunately, the meat industry is one of the largest exports from Brazil, so da Silva’s income is typically secure. But in light of the recent recession, health codes and regulations have waned at the company. It has become more important to management that as much supply as possible is produced, even if it comes at the cost of quality of the meat. Da Silva is given strict orders to approve product at a significantly quicker rate.

The recession has taken its toll on da Silva’s family as well. His wife has lost her job as a bookkeeper, and with their three children, there are many mouths to feed. Carlos is alarmed by the new procedures at the plant, and is unsure of his ability to adequately inspect the meat. But management is persistent that he stay the course, and not wanting to rock the boat and risk his family’s livelihood, he complies with the new demands.

But even worse, da Silva begins to suspect the legality of what’s taking place: it seems as though the government is turning a blind eye whenever bad meat seeps through inspection, and that money may be involved…