SDA/MAPA reports on measures taken concerning plants and
officers under investigation
The Animal Health Secretariat (SDA) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply (MAPA) issued
this Sunday, March 19, 2017, the following note concerning the police operation involving animal protein
production plants (listed here). The entire note is as follows:
This Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply acknowledged this Friday, March 17, 2017, via the
media, an operation called “Carna Fraca” (Weak Flesh), whose investigations started two years ago, in
response to a report issued by a Federal Fiscal Auditor. Federal Police carried out a series of search and
apprehension warrants, compulsory presentation of statements and pre-trial and preventive detentions,
involving officers of this Ministry, company officials, and other associated individuals.
In response to the reports, information disseminated through the media, and the 377-page analysis of the
legal decision (which is part of Proceeding no. 5002951-83.2017.4.04.70000) by a judge of the 14th Federal
District, we present the following measures adopted by MAPA, technical clarifications regarding specific
questions raised by the media, and administrative actions to be implemented by MAPA—all for the purpose of
avoiding a reoccurrence of irregular conduct.
ACTIONS TAKEN
1. On March 17th, the following plants were closed as a precautionary measure: BRF S.A., located in
Mineiros/GO, under SIF 1010; Peccin Agro Industrial Ltda, located in Curitiba/PR, under SIF 2155, and
Peccin Agro Industrial Ltda - EPP, located in Jaraguá do Sul/SC, under SIF 825.
2. To support MAPA’s supplementary oversight actions at the other reported plants, MAPA requested from
the Judicial District in Paraná (14th Federal Districts) the conclusion of the analyses carried out during the
operation. The information requested is important to determine the recall from the market of any product that
might represent a threat to consumers health. This action complies with the Consumer Defense Code under
Law 8.078, of September 11, 1990.
3. For the purpose of assuring the Brazilian consumer, audit teams were deployed to check for irregularities in
another 18 reported plants apart from the three mentioned above in Operation “Weak Flesh”. The inspection
will include sampling of materials to be sent for analysis at MAPA’s official laboratory network, giving special
attention to those mentioned during the investigation.
4. MAPA made a determination to launch an investigation into supposed irregular practices carried out by civil
servants, dismissing those civil servants and department heads cited in the Operation.
5. Notes have been sent to foreign sanitary authorities advising them as to the nature of the inspections
underway and the actions implemented by MAPA that support a rigorous Brazilian animal products inspection
system.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
I- Concerning product safety:
DIPOA is the Department in charge of the inspection and industrial and sanitary control of products of animal
origin in the plants that conduct interstate and international trade, in accordance with Law 1.283, of December
18, 1950 and amended under Law 7.889, of November 23, 1989. These actions are implemented by the
Federal Inspection Service –SIF—in 4,837 registered establishments.
SIF has been in existence for 102 years. Throughout this period, the service has actively supported the
development of Brazilian agribusiness and helped consolidate Brazil`s position as a leader in the export of
products of animal origin the world over. SIF is known internationally for its competence and responsibility in
the promotion of food safety.
The technical personnel that oversees the establishments are made up of Federal Agricultural and Livestock
Auditing Inspectors and Sanitary and Industrial Inspection Agents of products of animal origin. These public
servants are responsible for the ante- and post-mortem inspections of animals destined for slaughter. They
are also in charge of overseeing the industry´s self-oversight processes, which include hygienic and sanitary
conditions, sampling for laboratory analyses, and official certification, among others.
In the area of domestic controls, DIPOA coordinates official control programs for food of animal origin,
developed in coordination with the Consultative Scientific Commission on Microbiology, created by SDA
Ordinance 17 of January 25th, 2013. Sampling plans, statistically designed, were created so that the samples
represent a universe and category of products from the registered establishments. The purpose is to evaluate
the prevalence of the parameters used and orient the inspections.
Among these programs we can highlight the following:
- The National Program for the Control of Pathogens (PNCP), which seeks to determine the prevalence of
pathogens of importance to public health in products of animal origin, under federal inspection; evaluate the
process controls used by the establishments, manage risk, and preserve food safety.
- The Program for the Evaluation of Compliance with Physical-Chemical and Microbiological
Standards in Edible Products of Animal Origin. (PACPOA), designed to obtain data used to verify levels of
compliance in products of animal origin; evaluate the control of products and processes in the plants and
support DIPOA risk management procedures.
Results from the analyses carried out by the above-mentioned programs have shown a general level of
compliance exceeding 90% for meat products. It should be stressed that the majority of products determined
to be sub-standard did not present any public health risk.
MAPA oversees 4,837 establishments registered under DIPOA and a personnel corps of approximately
11,000 employees. Of this total, only 21 establishments were mentioned in the “Carne Fraca” Operation;
moreover, only 33 civil servants allegedly committed irregularities.
In effect, 99.8% of the registered establishments and 99.7% of the workforce were not involved in
irregularities according to Operation “Carne Fraca”.
These facts lead us to conclude that such irregularities amount to isolated occurrences.
II- Concerning the risks related to the presence of Salmonella in poultry
Salmonella is a common bacterium found in the gastrointestinal tract of animals. In the case of poultry,
Salmonella is a worldwide problem. There are no effective control measures to eliminate it from raw meat.
Therefore, field production and establishment-level controls are needed to avoid the presence of pathogenic
strains in poultry products for human consumption.
Specific controls for the presence of Salmonella in poultry have been adopted by MAPA since 2003. These
controls abide by international standards, under the Pathogen Monitoring and Reduction and Salmonella
Control Program on Turkey and Poultry Carcasses, as approved by Normative Instruction 70, of October 6,
2003. The guidelines of this program have been recently updated Normative Instruction 20, of October 21,
2016.
Through this update, the control and monitoring mechanisms for Salmonella in SIF registered establishments
were included to reduce the prevalence of this agent. This revision draws on internationally-renowned
professionals and shows some significant advances, such as Salmonella controls at primary production
levels, including flock controls up to the end product at a SIF slaughterhouse. Under the program, a
determination is made as to the incidence of Salmonella serotypes (S. typhimurium and S. enteritidis), thereby
establishing an adequate level of protection to the consumer.
When batches showing positive results for Salmonella which are relevant to public health are detected,
regulations require that the products undergo heat processing to ensure destruction of the pathogen. Time
and temperature of the thermal process must be controlled at an industrial level to eliminate the risk of
transmission to consumers.
It is also important to stress that Resolution RDC/ANVISA 12, dated January 12, 2001, does not define
Salmonella sp. levels in raw poultry meat, and considering the difficulties in controlling this pathogen in poultry
meat, Resolution RDC/ANVISA 13 dated January 2, 2001, requires mandatory labelling on poultry with the
following information:
“If this food is handled incorrectly or consumed raw it can cause health problems. For your safety follow the
instructions below:
-Keep refrigerated or frozen. Thawing can only be done in the refrigerator or in the micro-wave oven.
-Keep the raw product separated from other food. Wash working surfaces with water and soap (including
cutting boards), utensils and hands after handling the raw product.
-Consume only after completely cooked or fried.”
III- International notifications concerning sub-standard shipments
During 2016, a total of 184 international notifications were received advising of microbiological, physical and
chemical standards violations, among other irregularities in products of animal origin exported to 15 countries.
Of these violations, 102 were microbiologically-related; 33 physical-chemical; and 49 due to other
irregularities. Russia issued the majority of notifications, with 75 microbiological, 25 physical-chemical and 16
involving other irregularities, for a total of 133. Over this period, a total of 852,000 shipments were exported to
the international market.
These data represent exports of all types of products of animal origin, and demonstrate the low number of
violations when compared to the volume of batches traded internationally. The demonstrated level of
compliance is 99.98% for all exports.
IV- Concerning the use of additives in meat products
The media has reported that one establishment used to “make-up” the meat, supposedly rotten, using
ascorbic acid, a product described by media sources as being carcinogenic.
Ascorbic acid is a food additive (INS 300) authorized for use in foods and in keeping with Good Manufacturing
Practices (BPF), as determined by Resolution of the Collegiate Directorate – RDC 45, dated November 3,
2010, from ANVISA. The referenced RDC included the functions of ascorbic acid as established by the Codex
Alimentarius, so that its use will not represent a health hazard.
As a food additive, the use of ascorbic acid is authorized only when needed in the categories of foods and
roles allowed by specific technical regulations. For meat products, the technical reference is Normative
Instruction 51, from December 29, 2006, that encompasses the Technical Regulation for Attribution of
Additives and their Limits and allows the use of this additive in meat products as an antioxidant, without any
restriction as to its levels. Sodium lactate is also permitted (INS325) in meat products as an acidity regulator,
and its use is likewise unrestricted.
Sorbic acid (INS 200) is an authorized food additive used in meat products as a preserving agent for surface
treatment in the following product categories: industrialized dried meat products, cured and/or matured or not
(e.g. salami, raw ham, among others) and in other salted raw meat products (e.g. jerked beef or meat parts to
“feijoada”, among others). Its use, however, is limited to 0.02%. As far as the additives sodium nitrite (INS
250) and sodium nitrate (INS 251), authorized as preservatives, these are limited to 0.015% and 0.03%,
respectively.
Food additives, when used in authorized products and within their established maximum limits, do not
represent a threat to consumers.
V- Concerning the use of meat from a hog´s head in the preparation of meat products
Contrary to information disseminated by the media regarding alleged irregularities in the use of meat obtained
from a hog´s head in the preparation of Calabrese sausages, it is important to clarify that these meats can be
used in the preparation of meat products and they do not present any threat to the health of consumers. In
fact the use of meat from the head of animals does not constitute any irregularity in the preparation of
sausages.
Meat obtained from the head of animals is mainly composed of the masseter and pterygoids, which are
chewing muscles, along with muscles from the base of the tongue. These muscles are known as “industrial
meats” and are widely used in the preparation of meat products worldwide.
The so-called “industrial meats” include all skeleton and muscular masses obtained in the preparation of
carcasses at slaughter houses. It also includes the muscular portion of the esophagus, diaphragm and its
pillars. During processing, excess fat, connective tissue and lymph nodes are removed, and the muscular
mass is washed, drained and wrapped with appropriate material.
Brazilian national regulations allow the use of industrial meats in the preparation of several meat products. In
the case of sausages, the Technical Identification and Quality Regulation, approved by MAPA (Annex III of
Normative Instruction SDA/MAPA no. 4, of March 31, 2000) establishes the meats of different animal species
and salt as mandatory ingredients in sausage preparation (Item. 4.1.1), and it also allows for the use of other
ingredients (Item 4.1.2). In the case of Calabrese sausage, it is important to note that this product is made
exclusively from cured pork, with additional ingredients to give it the tangy and characteristic taste of
Calabrese peppers. The product may or may not be submitted to heating in a stove for dehydration or
cooking, and smoking is an optional process.
VI- Concerning the alleged use of cardboard in the preparation of meat products
Information thus far presented in the media seems to be contradictory in nature, as it pertains to the alleged
use of cardboard in the preparation of meat products. Whereas information published on some websites from
the transcript of a telephone call between company workers indicate that cardboard was indeed to be used as
packaging for mechanically separated meats (MSM), other sites seem to suggest that the cardboard was to
be used in the product mix.
Since the information published is not very precise and the judicial order does not elaborate further, MAPA
contacted the official inspection team assigned to the establishment, and confirmed that cardboard was not
used as a component of meat products or MSM, but rather as packaging material outside plastic bags with
the product to enable it to retain its shape during freezing, for ease of storage.
The use of cardboard as packaging material is not allowed in the MSM processing industry to avoid cross
contamination with the product. In this case, since the establishment did not have plastic trays to freeze the
products, they decided to discard the material, which was made under the supervision of inspectors.
VII- Notifications about the establishment BRF S.A, under SIF 1010
Considering repeated occurrences in early 2017, associated with establishment SIF 1010, located in Mineiros,
state of Goias, which received five notifications, in addition to those received in 2016, DIPOA suspended
production and sanitary certification for all raw turkey products and turkey meat preparations to the EU and
other countries that request salmonella control and serotyping, as of February 6, 2017. Production and
shipment of products for domestic and international markets was subject to validation though lab testing of
representative samples from each batch and shipment to ensure that they were not contaminated with
salmonella serotypes S. typhimurium or S. enteritidis, pursuant to Normative Instruction no. 20, of 2016.
Because of the nature of complaints arising from operation “carne Fraca,” MAPA ordered the establishment to
be closed, as a precautionary measure, pending further investigation.
OTHER ACTIONS
MAPA had already begun to adopt actions to improve its inspection process, provide more control over
activities carried out by decentralized units, and curb outside interference. This follows the guidelines issued
by the Ministry of Transparency, Oversight and Control, the General Comptrollers’ Office, and the Federal
Court of Auditors.
These actions include the following:
1. Directive 193, of 2016, to review the Regulation for Sanitary and Industrial Inspection of Animal
Products (RIISPOA)
The directive created a working group to submit proposed revisions to the most important regulation regarding
the inspection of animal products in Brazil, i.e. the Regulation for Sanitary and Industrial Inspection of Animal
Products (RIISPOA), which was approved by Decree 30,691, of March 29, 1952.
The recommendations of the working group were submitted in December 2016, and the final revised
regulation will be signed by the Brazilian President on March 29, 2017.
Among the advantages of the newly revised regulations were clearly defined duties and responsibilities of the
private sector and those of the government inspection system. Its structure of violations and penalties was
also revised and updated.
2. Directive no. 257, of November 21, 2016, making the assignment of government employees subject
to prior assessment by the Secretariat for Agricultural Protection
By virtue of Directive no. 257/2016, the assignment of government employees—which used to be the
responsibility of superintendents at MAPA decentralized units—is now under the purview of the Secretariat for
Agricultural Protection and Executive Secretariat.
3. Directive no. 99, of May 12, 2016, creating the General Coordinating Office for Assessment and
Audit, under DIPOA
By virtue of Directive no. 99/2016, a specific office was created within the Animal Products Inspection
Department (DIPOA) that will be exclusively in charge of auditing activities conducted by Inspection Services
at MAPA decentralized units.
The Brazilian animal products inspection system, under the responsibility of SIF/DIPOA is consistent and
sound and gives a high level of safety to consumers, both Brazilian and foreign. The facts described in the
operation “Carne Fraca” are isolated occurrences that do not in any way tarnish the reputation and credibility
of the inspection service. These acts were committed by criminal organizations, which are being removed
from the Brazilian federal inspection service.
MAPA employees have full autonomy to carry out their duties and conduct inspections of animal products. As
demonstrated, the vast majority of them are not in any way linked to illicit activities. They are proud of their
institution and all that the SIF emblem stands for.
Brasília, March 19, 2017,
Luis Rangel, Secretary of Agriculture and Livestock and Food Supply (MAPA)