ASAE conducts food control operations; staff vote to strike

Portuguese authorities have cracked down on operators handling meat, eggs, wine, cheese and mollusks in various operations over recent months but have recently opted to go on strike.

Earlier this month, the Economic and Food Safety Authority (ASAE) took action against a meat producer and distributor in Braga. Despite having its license suspended, authorities found it had continue to operate. In total, 3,300 kilograms of pork products were seized.

Criminal proceedings were opened and the decision to suspend operations was also maintained. This is due to the absence of a Veterinary Control Number issued by the relevant authority, which is mandatory for operators involved in the production, processing, distribution, and placing on the market of products of animal origin.

Employees of ASAE began strike action this week in protest against a decrease in personnel and a lack of investment in tools to help staff perform their roles. A notice from the ASF-ASAE union states partial strikes will also take place on Nov. 21, 26, and 28 and Dec. 3, 5, 10, 12, 17, and 19.

Egg and wine operations
At the end of October, ASAE undertook a targeted inspection at two egg collection, packaging and classification establishments.

Inspectors found the firms did not have the necessary licensing, such as a Veterinary Control Number, to guarantee compliance with food safety regulations. Two infringement proceedings were opened and activities were suspended. More than 114,000 eggs were seized as well as equipment, with a value of above €410,000 ($433,000). After examination by a veterinarian, seized eggs were sent to an egg product production unit.

ASAE also carried out an operation aimed at detecting possible fraudulent practices in the production and marketing of wine products in the municipality of Guaíra.

Rosé and white wine was found, which was bottled, labeled, and ready to be introduced onto the market but information had not been communicated to the Instituto da Vinha e do Vinho (IVV). For wine products without Denomination of Origin or Geographical Indication, the bottler or person responsible for placing the wine on sale must send a copy of the labels, prior to use on the national market or in other countries, to the IVV.

More than 1,700 liters of rosé wine, 5,290 liters of white wine and 20,870 labels were seized with an estimated value of €19,000 ($20,000).

In mid-October, ASAE visited a purification and dispatch establishment for live bivalve mollusks and a warehouse for fishing products in Grândola.

Criminal proceedings were filed after the site was found to have continued to operate without being fully licensed. Three administrative offences were related to foodstuffs lacking the necessary requirements, placing live bivalve mollusks on the market in violation of legal standards and the selling of products of animal origin by an unregistered establishment. More than 500-kilograms of bivalve mollusks were seized with an estimated value of €6,000 ($6,300).

Sector specific work
A nationwide inspection focus in October targeted the bakery and pastry industries to verify legal requirements. Emphasis was on raw materials, labeling, product traceability, storage and packaging conditions, hygiene conditions, and temperature of vehicles transporting products.

Overall, 86 operators were visited and five were suspended in Amadora, Braga, Covilhã, Mogadouro, and Montalegre. The main offences included general non-compliance with hygiene requirements and the lack of processes based on HACCP principles.

Butchers and retailers with a butchery section were also the subject of checks in October. Areas assessed included origin and labeling, conservation and display of meat and meat products, as well as the hygienic and sanitary conditions.

From 163 operators visited, 30 administrative proceedings were initiated, with the main issues being the distribution, preparation, and sale of meat products without following hygiene and technical standards. One operator was suspended with the seizure of 770-kilograms of meat.

As part of the investigation into the incorporation of unauthorized additives into meat or overuse of additives in meat preparations, samples were collected to check the addition of sulfites. These will be analyzed at the ASAE food safety laboratory.

In early October, ASAE reported that controls had found a cheese production and distribution establishment in Setúbal was operating when it was supposed to be suspended.

Criminal proceedings were opened and suspension of the activity was maintained, due to the lack of a Veterinary Control Number. Confiscated items included 6,670 cheeses, 120 liters of whey and 380 liters of raw sheep’s milk, with an estimated total value of almost €15,000 ($15,800).

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Source: https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2024/11/asae-conducts-food-control-operations-staff-vote-to-strike/