Portuguese authorities have uncovered illegal slaughter operations, olive oil fraud, and food unfit for consumption in various operations during recent months.
In January, a regional unit of the Economic and Food Safety Authority (ASAE) carried out an inspection at a food processing establishment in Ponte de Lima with support from the National Republican Guard (GNR).
Officers found meat products in a poor state that were unfit for human consumption. This resulted in the seizure of 1.2 tons of beef, pork and, chicken intended for sale through social networks. The majority of products were destroyed with some redirected for animal consumption.
Criminal proceedings were started for possession and sale of non-compliant food products and the incident was reported to the relevant public prosecutor’s office. Operations at the site were suspended.
Sites suspended
Also in January, ASAE undertook an operation at storage sites in Guimarães, Fafe, and Póvoa de Varzim.
This led to the suspension of three establishments because of illegal operations and placing on the market products without the correct identification marks. More than 17 tons of various foodstuffs and 313-kilograms of live crustaceans with an estimated value of more than €68,000 ($70,100) were seized in Operation Depósito.
Three administrative offence proceedings were filed due to the lack of a veterinary control number (NCV), which is mandatory for operators involved in the production, processing, distribution, and placing on the market of products of animal origin.
In late December 2024, ASAE investigated illegal slaughter in Vila Real as part of Operation – Rota do Clandestino.
Inspectors uncovered the mass slaughter of animals of various species, which were sent to catering establishments and butchers. Outlets received meat from slaughtered animals that had not been subject to an official health inspection. ASAE said this put public health at risk by allowing the movement of meat that was potentially contaminated or unsuitable for human consumption.
A case was opened for the crime against public health involving illegal slaughter and a suspect was arrested. A total of 33 slaughtered animals, 159 sheep and goats, equipment used in the slaughter, such as knives and a rifle, and two laptops were also seized.
Food storage and olive oil cases
In December 2024, ASAE inspectors visited a cold storage facility in Maia. An administrative offense procedure was started because of the lack of a veterinary control number issued by the Directorate-General for Food and Veterinary Affairs (DGAV).
Operations at the site were suspended with more than 37 tons of foodstuffs of animal origin, mainly meat products, seized that had an estimated value of €350,000 ($360,000).
In Vila Real de Santo António, ASAE’s southern regional unit checked food transport conditions.
Two loads of fruit were detected – oranges and avocados – from two operators, which did not have documentation covering the mandatory information, such as reference to the origin, variety and category of the fruits.
Two administrative proceedings were started and 23.5 tons of oranges originating in Spain and destined for Silves were seized, as well as 650-kilograms of avocados from the Algarve. The mandatory information was placed on product labels, with support from ASAE, to help inform the consumer.
Finally, ASAE’s northern regional unit carried out a fraud operation in Aveiro and Bragança.
Operation Olive targeted a warehouse and an industrial unit for packaging oils and olive oils. Officials identified fraudulent practices, with the labeling of bottles of edible oil as olive oil of various categories, without presenting any proof of olive oil type and with the intention of misleading the consumer about characteristics of the product.
More than 82,800 labels mentioning olive oil and 16,500 liters of cooking oil were seized, much of it already labeled as olive oil, with an estimated value of €82,500 ($85,000). Two criminal proceedings have been opened.
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