The Food and Economic Safety Authority (ASAE) suspended the activity of two companies that were illegally processing and shipping snails in Serpa and Elvas.
According to the online edition of the Journal News (JN), were seized more than 500 kilos of snails and various documentation and material used in illicit activities.
After inspection of economic operators, inspectors verified that they acted “illicitly and camouflaged, without having the necessary legal licensing and approval from the competent authorities, there is still no guarantee regarding the technical-functional conditions nor the necessary guarantee that the installations promote an improvement in the quality of the same, namely the elimination of parasites, given the high risk that snails pose, taking into account its origin and natural habitat”.
“In consequence, the activity of unlicensed/authorized wholesale trade in products of animal origin was completely suspended, subject to controlled temperature and the initiation of an administrative offense process, after competent expertise by a veterinarian, as they are considered abnormal foodstuffs with a lack of requirements and lack of licensing (NCV – Veterinary Control Number)”, explains a statement from ASAE.
ASAE states that it will continue to develop inspection actions, within its competence, throughout the national territory, in favor of healthy and fair competition between economic operators, safeguarding food safety and public health of consumers.
