Meat and Livestock Australia reports that according to Taiwan's Department of Health the bone chips ranged between 0.7cm and 2cm, and were detected in the shipment of frozen beef that originated from a Cargill plant in Nebraska.

The incident is the second time that bone chips have been discovered in US shipments to Taiwan since the re-opening of the market to US beef imports.

The blunder comes at a sensitive time for the US beef industry's push to re-enter Asian markets.

While The Philippines last week lifted the restrictions on imports of US beef and beef products derived from cattle of all ages, it continues to have difficulties in negotiations with Japan and Korea.

MLA reports that talks between the US President and Japanese Prime Minister last week failed to reach agreement regarding the beef import protocol.

With the end of year fast approaching, it is now unlikely that the ongoing negotiations will produce a concrete outcome in this calendar year, MLA says.

Source: North Queensland Register