Japan halts beef imports from Wisconsin plant

Japan has suspended imports from a former Smithfield Beef Group meatpacking plant in Wisconsin after it found meat that could not be verified as coming from cattle aged 20 months or less, the farm ministry said on Thursday.

The Japanese ministry said it had asked the United States to look into the matter, adding that imports from the Green Bay plant that shipped the cargo would be halted until it received a report on the issue.