China, which with Hong Kong is Brazil's biggest meat export market, already announced Monday that it had suspended imports.

Hong Kong's Centre for Food Safety said it had temporarily suspended the import of frozen and chilled meat and poultry "in view of the fact that the quality of the meat from Brazil is in question".

The ban will take immediate effect, the department said, adding that it would continue to liaise with Brazilian authorities for more information.

The scandal erupted after Brazilian police said Friday they had found major meat producers bribed health inspectors to certify tainted food as fit for consumption.

Brazil is the world's biggest beef and poultry-exporting nation and the row is especially unwelcome with the country struggling to overcome its worst recession in history.